The River

The current grows stronger, and the raft picks up speed. Brian realizes that the river may have drops ahead and immediately hears water whooshing and falling. They are headed toward a waterfall.

Brian has no time to steer the raft or slow their speed, and Brian sees that the river narrows between two bluffs, causing the water to pick up speed and crash over rocks. The water takes control of the raft, and Brian can only try to protect Derek as they hit an underwater boulder. The river throws Brian from the raft, and he struggles to free himself from the pressure wave crashing down on him. He finally makes it to the surface with his lungs screaming for air, but he hits his head and blacks out.

Brian comes to in shallows below the rapids and is uninjured. Suddenly, he remembers Derek and the raft. He looks down the river, but can’t see the raft, and realizes Derek may have fallen off. He quickly recognizes that he must swim to try and catch up with the raft and see if Derek is alive.