Role

Chapter 3

I remember being surrounded by black water, with an incredible pressure
choking my lungs which screamed desperately for air. I remember moving my
arms around frantically, hoping beyond hope that someone would come and rescue
me.

I remember choking and gagging on salt water ass my lungs were squeezed small
by the pressure. My throat burned without air and my ears pounded terribly.
My heart beat hard and fast in my chest. There was no question that I was
going to die.

I remember my eyes beginning to go black and opening my mouth to scream one
final cry. I felt the cool rush of water flowing through the back of my
throat and nose as my consciousness started to slip away and was enveloped
by darkness.

I do not remember breaking through the surface, nor do I remember reaching
out and grasping a floating piece of driftwood - but I must have.

*****

I awoke to the sound of seagulls who were circling endlessly around my head.
Though I was nearly submerged in the seas of the Aryth, my foreclaws were so
deeply imbedded in the floating log, there was little chance of them being
dislodged.

My throat was raw and burned by the seawater and I was chilled deeply to
the bone, but, miraculously, I was alive.

My survival instinct kicked in and I scrambled atop my floating refuge,
far too thankful and excited at being alive to be scared of the rolling
waters around me. I had no food, no water, noone to keep me company, yet
I was as satisfied as if I had eaten the most scrumptious meal - though
the feeling of euphoria would not last for long.