Follow the Water

'FOLLOW THE WATER' thats what the map said, so thats what I did. I followed the river until I realized I was on the wrong side.

I hadn't passed any bridges nor could I see any on the stupid map. There could only be one solution; well there is nothing just one but this would have the quickest results. Crossing the river, right here, right now.

"Might as well" I mumbled. I needed to get to the treasure as fast as possible.  I need the gold more than I need to breathe. It was a stupid descion to try and cross a river like this but I had never been too bright.

The first few steps into the water weren't so bad; surecmy socks were not wet but that would be a small price t npay for the treasure. As I walked further I raised pack above my head. I could not risk the map being ruined, not only would it lead me to the treasure but it would also lead me home as well.

The further I went the harder it became to walk.  The current kept getting stronger and stronger. Soon the water wasto my collarbones. My arms started to burn, my pack felt as if were getting heavier and heavier. That's when it happened. I slipped. 

It happened so fast.  One moment I was looking at trees and the blue sky;  the next I was looking at rocks through a blueish brownish haze. 

It took just a moment before I realized what had happened. I was headed down the river. I was going so fast and was being shoved so hard I couldn't get back up. 

Then the worst possible thing happened. My pack slipped from my fingers. The map slipped from my fingers.  The treasure, my gold, gone. I didn't know where it went, hell I didn't even know where I was. Though with everything I didn't know there was one thing I did. I was running out of air. My lungs burned and I panicked. 

I tried to swim up only I didn't know where up was. The current was of no help, it just kept pushing me further and further down the river. As flaided around I felt it, my fingertip hit the surface. There it was my salvation. I kicked as hard and fast as I could and when my head breached the surface I took the biggest gulp that has ever been gulped. It didn't last long, I was quickly pulled back under the surface of the water.

I fought as hardas I could to get back up. As soon as I did I hunted down land but I couldn't find any before being pulled back down.  It took three more tries before I spotted it, a riverbank. It looked so far away but I had to try. I took another gulp of air and dove. I kicked my legs as hard and as fast as I could.They felt like they were on fire but I couldn't stop now. Not when I was so close.

After swimming what felt like forever my hope started to fade. I was so tired. As soon my the last bit of my hope was gone I realized. I did it. I had made it to shore. I crawled across the bank with my poor arms and legs screaming. Then I collapsed. I never wanted to move again. The mear thought of getting up brought tears to my eyes.

As I lay there staring at the blue sky I remembered; my pack. My stupid pack was gone, stolen by the river. It was a small price to pay my life...or was it? That map may have been my way to the treasure but it was also my way back home. I may have escaped with my life but now I was screwed. Completely and utterly screwed.

I guess that's what I get, I was too greedy and now I was freezing, tired, and lost. If only I hadn't let my greed take over, I would be at home. Now who knows if illnesses even see home aga8n. I shouldn't have tried to cross the river. I should have just followed the water.