Our canoe glided smoothly on the river, one reason because we wanted to win the competition, another because Trijan knew how to paddle. Me, on the other hand, not so much.

"Where did you learn to paddle like this from?" I asked loud enough so he could here me, adjusting myself into the seat so I would be more comfortable. The canoe had a deep opening, I figured it was to help the occupant relax more and stretch their legs but unfortunately it was only on one side.

"Egypt" he answered turning a little so I could see the side of his face, "I was always on the Nile river but this canoe is pretty small compared to the ones there".

"Wow, I didn't know you've been to Africa" I said moving the paddle from the left side to the right with so much effort it made my words sound like groans.

"Well, let's just say I have a family that travelstravels alot" he said also changing the position of his paddle to the opposite side of mine but his voice still sounded normal, like it was an easy task "Are we still on the lead?"

I turned back to see if any other canoe was behind us "Yes there's no one behind" I giggled.

I could see him smile from the crook of his face "let's hurry then".

We started paddling harder, my shoulders we beginning to hurt but I had to pull strength from the zeal I had to prove that me and Trijan made a good pair. Even if it was just to him.

Soon, we passed the last divider and that's were confusion set in. We didn't know if we were to go forward or turn around. I didn't pay much attention to what the host was saying because I was too pumped thinking about Trijan. But I was assured Trijan had heard something.

"I think we are lost" he declared making my eyes pop up. Wait we are what? He tried to turn around from the seat he had been imbedded in. His muscles flexed before me as he tried to turn, sweat rolled on them and I couldn't appreciate how toned they were in any other way than staring. I loved how the were so appetizing under the sleeve of his fitted t-short, his shoulders were just as perfect and I wish could just--- "Ivy can you hear me?"

I knocked myself back to reality "what??"

"I was saying we should better head back since I'm not really familiar with this Area or do you know anything about here?"

As much as I wanted to prove smart and tell him we should either go left or right, I shook my head "No, let's just go back". He nodded.

"Ok, so this is what we are going to do. We first paddle on the same side then when it's about to turn, I go to the other side so you remain on this side so we can steady the boat, got that?"

"Aye AYe Captain "I grinned. He let out a chuckle that sounded a bit loud and shook his head before we proceeded. We paddled on one side and when the canoe started turning he moved his paddle to the other side and it successfully turned.

"YES!" He exclaimed "nice work ivy, you learn pretty fast"

"Thank you Trijan" I smiled.

We started sailing through the same Area we came from but suddenly the current waves of the river started increasing. The paddles weren't about to push the canoe further anymore, it started moving backwards.

"What's happening Trijan?" I asked as the Water current increased.

"Seems like they opened the canal" he said

"They what?! Who opens a canal during a canoe competition?" I shouted.

"I think we entered a wrong route that's why no one was behind us. Quick let's try to sail faster" he said, if my stamina had reduced because of my arm pain, it increased now. We tried but it was of no use, the canoe kept moving backwards. It was like a battle between force and human.

The sound of splashing water soon increased and fog began to rise and made the air hazy a bit.

"There's a waterfall ahead!" Trijan's declaration caused my heart to skip.

"Oh my God! What are we going to do?". My heart beat hastened as i tried to figure out what to do but my mind seemed to be shut down.

Trijan started pulling the strings of his seat trying to untie them. He laid the paddle across the canoe and held it down with his elbow."Ivy untie yourself we are jumping out!"

"Is that safe?" I asked even though I knew there was really no safe escape.

"Its the only way. The boat is going to crash on something soon. It's made of wood so it's  pieces might hurt us. You are a swimmer right? So you would be able to handle the water. He said like he was sure. Soon he was out of the seat and seeing that I was done. He stretched his hand to pull me but I was stuck. My feet was stuck under the seat, I couldn't pull myself out. I started panicking, my breaths was came out faster and my skin grew numb "Trijan I'm stuck!"

"Fuck!" He climbed the body of the canoe and tried to pull me but I wailed when my foot bent and scratched the wood then he looked up and his expression turned white" I can see the edge... Ivy try to pull your leg up ok? Just Try you can do this"

I tried but it only hurt my feet, the leather off my sandals was to strong to pull of and release my foot. I had put my foot there thinking it was like a foot rest. I dared to look back and saw the edge of the waterfall wasn't far anymore and the sounds of falling water had increased. "Trijan jump!"

"What?! NO! I can't leave you here alone "

"Trijan GO! I'll be fine"

He stared at me for a moment, our eyes merged and for a moment I felt like kissing him but I needed to save him even though he shook his head. I pushed him.

I tried to slow down my breath now that it was now me and the boat. Apart of me was already dead but the other part needed an impact to to kill it. I pulled my leg and it came out breaking the wood trapping my leg and making it pierce me. The pain surged through me but the adrenaline in my stomach pushed me up so I stood and climbed out of the seat but as I decided to jump, we got to the edge and dropped. I could here someone shout my name, i was glad he was alive.

The water pushed me from the boat as it crushed the boat to pieces. I dropped deep into the river, luckily for me I knew how to block my nostrils without using my hand. I tried to manuever my body to swim but my limbs felt weak under water. I opened my eyes to see pieces of the canoe dropping to the riverbed. My left shoulder hooked and the pain was awful. The cold water wrapped my skin through my close and seem to be pulling me downwards. I couldn't move my left shoulder and the other hand was two weak and I was running out of breath. I tried kicking upwards but it was of no use. I exhaled and the water used that opportunity to run into my nose filling my lungs quickly, I coughed but there was no air so I choked on water. I willed my mind to say a prayer as the thoughts of Trijan crossed my mind. Part of me knew i wouldn't die but the other part knew i would never know what could happen. I decided to make it easier, i released myself to the water closing my eyes before I went unconscious.

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Hey there,

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Thanks for reading.