Lost [Flood Aftermath]

Ashiel groaned as he slowly opened his eyes, wincing at the throbbing pain in his head and chest. He couldn't think. What happened? Coughing sharply he tried to move but found he lacked the strength. Some how he'd gotten snagged on the bare branches of drought-stricken tree. The upper half of his body was caught firmly up against the trunk in the crux of two branches while the lower half of his body was still submerged in a churning, muddy current. Oh, the flood.

Had this been a punishment? Had he misread some sign? His mind was whirling but still his body refused to move. His eyes searched the sky, looking through the churning, dark clouds above him for some sign of Griff but there was none. No call, no black shadow flitting through the air. He tried to look around himself but the pain in his neck made the going difficult and it was fruitless. There was no sign of anyone. Ashiel knew he needed to move. The storm could pick up again, something else could blow in, or night would fall leaving him half way submerged in a freezing river.

Despite his brain's urging Ashiel's body would not obey. His eyes fell shut and his mind fell silent.