Emma Option Aa2: Help Cooper
The giant Roc is now after Travis and Cooper. You’ve decided to help them instead of racing up the hill to find Emma. Let’s see how the adventure ends. =)
Emma Option Aa2: Help Cooper
Before your eyes Cooper’s feet leave the ground as he continues to hold onto Travis. He kicks wildly, making the giant Roc waver in its attempt to fly upward.
You hesitate only for a second before sliding back down the hill to reach him before the Roc lifts too far into the air for you to help.
In your mind all you can picture is Travis’ attempt to grab Megan before she disappeared into the treetops.
Your feet slide out from under you on the slick ground and you end up tumbling past Cooper instead of stopping in time to catch his feet.
Photo courtesy of Sebring’s Snapshots. his feet.
Throwing your arms out, you manage to stop, but end up loosing your grip on the knife in the process. It clatters down the hill and disappears into the darkness.
You wonder briefly where Kevin got to but, considering he led you here to be eaten, you push the thought aside, glad his bad legs keep him from climbing the hillside to help the Roc.
Scrambling back up to where Cooper’s still kicking wildly, you jump to catch his legs.
The added weight brings your feet back to the ground briefly. It’s enough for you to wrap your legs around the bare trunk of a tamarack.
Your legs scream in protest as the Roc regains the rhythmic beating of its wings. The buffet of wind from its movement brings water to your eyes but, even without clear sight, you see Cooper’s losing his grip on Travis’ ankles.
“Hold tight!” you encourage at the same time as you pull with all your might.
The Roc screeches and the tamarack bows and then cracks.
You pull again, hoping the dead tree will hold on a bit longer.
It snaps just as the Roc’s claws lose their hold on Travis’ shoulders.
Everyone tumbles to the ground. The boys roll head over heels down the hillside but your leg is pinned beneath the fallen tamarack. When the Roc circles and dives back to retrieve its prey, you’re the only one there for it to attack.
You scramble against the ground, trying to free yourself, but all you manage is to bloody your hands on the cold ground.
The giant bird grasps your torso in her claws and lifts into the air with ease, making the tree slide painfully off your leg.
You flail against her grip and below you, you hear the shouts of Travis and Cooper. When you look down, though, all you see are tiny dots on the ground. Only Cooper’s bright hair tells you which one’s which.
There’s a third figure down there too. It seems to bounce down the trail back toward the lake. You feel a small amount of satisfaction as you realize Kevin’s headed straight into the other search party.
***
You are never seen by the villagers again. They tell stories about how you drove the Roc away, saving your companions and, some of the more optimistic tales say, you wander the hills, keeping the bird from snatching more people but these tales are always accompanied by saddened smiles.
Your legend lives on, though, becoming larger and more extravagant with each telling until, eventually, you become known as the Roc Fighter who saved the whole village.
The End
Blessings and thanks for joining in the adventure!
Jennifer
