Chapter 9: Welcome to the Jungle (2)
The talon snatched at Nova just as her foot slipped; the wind whipped around her, the claws snapping shut an inch away from her head as she fell into the water. Again. She gripped hard on her phone, which would be pretty much useless at this point.
Unlike the lake, a current dragged her body roughly to the side. Nova held her breath, which suddenly whooshed out of her as she slammed into a boulder. She grasped at it, holding on as hard as she could, making her arms and fingers burn at the exertion. This entire ordeal had been life or death since emerging from that lake, so she didn't let her silly thoughts about it being a dream take over.
Nova was sure if she just let herself drown or let that big-ass bird take her, she would actually die. Or maybe be tortured? Was this hell? Nothing was certain.
Right now, the only thing that did make sense was to drag herself to the surface and breathe!
With all her might and on shaky arms, Nova pulled herself above the surface, using some lodged branches and trunks of fallen trees for help. She gasped for air, her short locks sticking to her forehead as she searched around her in a panic.
Her body trembled, the adrenaline still pumping through her veins. If it wasn't for her adrenaline, Nova was sure she'd be dead meat by now. This place, this island, was not her world. She was from civilisation, with cars and trains, the only exercise in an air-con, state-of-the-art facility with personal trainers telling her what to do to stay fit.
No, not fit. It was to keep her body in excellent condition. To look good for Chad and to help with her stress levels. It was not this. It was not for survival, and this was all completely out of her league.
Nova grunted as she sat up, calming her breathing and thoughts.
Where's that damned bird? The Ixana? Ixana was the bird's name?