As I was held into the stream, all I could hear was the roar of the water and my heartbeat. I had to focus, I had to go back before I drown. I center in on my heartbeat. Loud, rhythmic, it put me in a trance. But instead of calming, it grew louder, the pounding of my chest grew larger, it grew faster. I felt my cry for help bubble up and my mouth compliantly opens to let it out, instead, water rushed into my throat, filling my lungs.
It burns.
The pounding grows more, like the beat of drums. Each pound of my heart was like the steps of a warriors march. The water grows warm, my lungs and beating heart feel like they're going to bust out of my chest. I finally open my eyes, and through my blurred vision by the water, I see flames. Dancing on top of the water above me. I hear muffled chanting, chanting to the beat of my heart. I reach out and swim away from the fire, towards the voices, my heart acting as a mantra as I fight towards the surface.
