Show Me My Silver Lining

For days the rains fell, soaking the already saturated earth. Galena had gone off to gather fallen pine boughs when the flood waters broke loose. They crashed down the mountain side and in a mad panic she'd scrambled up the nearest pine tree. Moments later the force of the water crashed through the forest, she heard the tree she was clinging to crack and then it was like the world suddenly slowed. All she could think about was how this was impossible as she felt herself fall.

Galena hit the cold water, the force of the rapids pulling her under, debris swirling past her. She kept her eyes closed at first but then forced herself to open them as her legs flailed, trying to pull her to the surface or catch onto something, anything! She could see bubbles racing past. Was that from her? She really needed that air!

The force of the water carrying her made it nearly impossible to get to the surface. She could it pounding into her back as she tried to hold what little air she had left. She could feel herself starting to black out. Was this it? Was this really how it was going to end for her? So close to being able to strike out on her own?

Something snagged Galena's right arm, yanking it painfully up. The motion got her head above water and she coughed violently. Her arm was pinned in the crook of a large redwood tree, where a great branch met the trunk. Galena scrambled with the last bit of strength and lay her belly upon the branch, limbs draping over the sides as she coughed and shivered. Below her the water continued to race down along its path.