Valiant(Editing)

Chapter 18; Akela

My paw was stuck in the middle of two big rocks. I tried pulling it out, yet it wouldn't budge.

I couldn't see where my paw was, though I could feel it struggling to free itself from between the rocks. Soon, the pain increased as water started to fill my lungs.

How was I going to free myself from the two rocks? I started panicking. I tried forcing my paw with more effort  to come out, yet it still wouldn't slip out.

I need to get my paw out!

I would drown if I didn't get my paw out in time.

Suddenly, I sensed someone near me. It was Dakota, and I was sure of it. I then felt him hit the rocks with his paws over and over again.

He would hit it fast and with all his strength that he had. I would pull over and over again trying to force my paw out, yet it never came out.

Then a urge came at me, I need air! I need to breathe! My lungs were screaming for air.

I wasn't sure how much longer I would be able to hold my breath in. All I knew was that it wouldn't be for much longer.

Dakota hit it one last time, slamming his paw into the rock and finally, a piece of the rock broke off.

Dakota helped slip my paw out carefully, and I began to float to the top of the river.

When I got above the water, I gasped for air and took in as much air as I could. I coughed up some water and sighed in relief of finally being able to breath.

I still had to get over to the land with Dakota though.

I soon noticed that my vision wasn't as fuzzy as it was before, so I was able to see things better.

Dakota swam over to me and I helped me on to his back. The rapids were still rushing and some points,  waves would crash over me and Dakota.

Anytime a wave hit me and Dakota, he would pause and let me get a better grip on him.

Eventually we were getting closer to the land, yet we weren't there quite yet. The current would sometimes grow stronger, which made it only more difficult for us to get to the land.

I whimpered every time a bigger wave struck us and would get a better grip on Dakota.

In all of this I had only one want; I wished we were safe on the land. All I wanted was to be on the land.

"We're almost there," Dakota croaked with exhaustion.

I nodded and turned to see how far away land was. It was only a few more feet away from us.

We were almost there. We're going to make it! I couldn't wait to finally be on the land. Dakota swam faster, until he stopped for a moment and took a sharp breath in. He lost his balance for a moment, yet managed to balance himself back to normal. He closed his eyes for a moment and soon began to swim again.

"What happened?" I asked with concern.

Dakota never answered my question.  He was too caught up in trying to get to the land. We were nearly at the land at this point.

Dakota rushed his swimming and finally, we made it at the edge of the land. I noticed that the current was worse in this area.

Dakota grabbed on to the edge of the muddy land and dove his sharp claws into the land, so that he had a good grip.

"Get on the land," he winced with pain.

Where was he hurt so badly? I guess I'd figure out later.

I quickly climbed up and off of his back, on to the land.

After I got on the land safely, I tried to give a paw to him, and help him up, yet his grip slipped off the edge of the edge of the muddy land.

The rushing current began to drag Dakota down the river.

"Dakota!" I screamed.