Some Hope Left

"No!" said Rami vehemently. "We're going to find some way out of here somehow. Trust me."

"Rami, you read too many fantasy novels. If there's a way out, we haven't found one that would work."

"You're right, Amy, I probably do read too many fantasy novels. But I think it might be worth trying the river. We were both on our high school's swim team and we both did very well. Also we don't have clothes weighing us down--that's one advantage of being forced to be naked by the dragon. I think we can make it."

"Rami, don't be stupid. First of all, you didn't do nearly as well as me. Secondly, this isn't like anything we've faced before. I--"

"Do you really want to spend the rest of your life here? The dragon has taken away all your dignity--he's stripped you naked, forced you to be a prisoner, tried to make you a cannibal. Don't you want to at least go out trying to get some back?"

Amy sighed. "All right. I--Good luck, Rami." She hugged her sister, crying as she hadn't done in years. "I hope we both make it through."

"We will," said Rami. "I wish we could say goodbye to Astra, though. She did a lot to help us. But we could rescue her later if we escape, I guess." They had been careful to keep their conversation quiet, for fear of what the others might do if they heard. They stood close to the river, but not so close that people might become suspicious. After everyone had gone on to other things, Amy and Rami dived into the water. Both were nervous, but summoned up all their courage. They looked into each other's eyes for what they both knew might well be the last time.

As the current bore them along, it became darker and darker. By the time they realized that it wasn't going to get any lighter anytime soon, they had gone so far from the cave and the current had gone so strong that there was no hope of returning. They passed out, wishing they could at least see each other in the last moment of their lives.

Rami awoke with heat beating down on her and sand under her skin. She opened her eyes and coughed. Everything seemed a blut to her, as her glasses (which the dragon had oddly enough let her keep) had been knocked off, but she could see someone standing over her. "Rami, are you alright?" she said. Rami recognized who it was immediately.

"Amy!" she shouted. "You made it!" Rami hugged her tightly and kissed her on the cheek.

1. Amy remembers their ordeal.
2. Amy does not remember their ordeal.

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