Not as strong as us

The moment that his head went under the water, Aslatiel’s heart stopped beating. Her throat clenched shut even though she squealed in terror. In an instant, she was on her paws and, beating back the fear, she moved towards the water. It wouldn't eat her brother. She wouldn't let it!

When Morts head breached the surface, she stopped in her tracks. He came upon the grassy land, soaking wet and moved quickly to her side, concern in his blue eyes. He didn't understand why she was afraid and pulled her into an embrace. She didn't mind being wet, so his squishy hug didn't bother her. It was the water itself that she minded.

"The water tried to swallow me. Indy was there. I couldn't breathe. I kept going under. If mom hadn't saved me..." She trailed off for a moment, purple eyes wide. "I would have been killed just like the birds." Did that explain her terror? She had no other way to describe it. Dead like the birds. She would have been dead like the birds.