Trees. Trees surrounded Justin. The fog swirled around their trunks, covering the leaves and twigs that littered the ground.
He slowed his run to a walk. He figured he�d missed the monster that�d chased him into the forest.
Now he was lost.
He jumped when an owl hooted.
Yeesh, I�m totally paranoid!
He turned right down a narrow path. From there he clumsily made his way through branches and brush until he came to a rickety wooden bridge.
The bridge was built over a rushing river. The river probably emptied out into the ocean, wherever that was.
Justin stepped onto the bridge.
The boards groaned under his weight.
Holding onto the rope, he took another step.
The boards broke.
The water sounded louder in Justin�s ears.
Panicking, he tried to run across the rest of the bridge.
He wasn�t fast enough.
The rope snapped and the wood fell into the river. Justin went with it.
For a couple of minutes, he was stunned by the shock of the freezing cold water that enveloped him. He felt his body being bumped over large rocks. His lungs burned from lack of oxygen.
Justin managed to push his head above water, gulping in air. A wave washed over his face. He choked on the water.
The river current got stronger. It became harder and harder to swim.
Around the bend, Justin spotted a log.
Unless I duck under water, I�ll smack my head on that log.
But wait! If I grab it, then maybe I could reach safety.
The log was getting closer. The water was churning faster. Justin realized if his soaked fingers slipped from the bark, then he could very possibly�drown.
He took a deep breath.
Here it goes.