A Call That Changed Her Entire Life

Emily couldn't help but glance at him. "Stop it," she said.

"All right," Jacob replied as he kissed her cheek.

The rope was about to break and his face had become serious, "Hold on tightly to me. We are going to jump into the river."

"OK." She was nervous and hugged him tightly, but before she even realized it, her body began to fall. "Ah!" she screamed.

The rope hadn't broken, instead she started falling because he had untied the knot which was around her waist and released her.

The couple clung together as they plunged into the turbulent river, sending up a great splash of water.

Sinking to the bottom of the river, Emily gulped in several mouthfuls of water, and her ears and nose filled in with the intense pressure of the deluge. She struggled fearfully as she began to drown! But in the nick of time, Jacob pushed her up to the water surface. Since the current was swift, they were washed down along the river course.

Soon they were confronted by a waterfall which roared ahead of them. Below it the water bubbled and churned in a whirlpool from which there was no escape.

Seeing that the waterfall was fast approaching, Jacob pushed Emily towards the riverbank with all his strength. She reached out to pull him towards the shallow waters, but failed to grasp his hands. The force of the river current carried him past her and suddenly they were separated.

"Jacob!" She felt his finger tips brush past hers and then he was hurled out of her reach, further and further away from her. A state of helplessness and panic overcame her, "No!" She screamed in desperation.

In the blink of an eye, Jacob vanished under the water. She didn't know if he had been washed away, or if he had been sucked into the waterfall and the dangerous whirlpool below it.

"Jacob! Jacob!" She screamed in sheer despair, but heard no response except the tearing song of the rushing river.

Fearing that she would lose her beloved once more, Emily collapsed onto the muddy riverbank, suddenly depleted of all her strength.

Why? Why was god so cruel?

him,

into the turbulent waters, her mind numbed by despair. Then, she stood

as her feet touched the water, a large fat fish landed beside her in a

come to her senses. She looked at the river and saw Jacob bob to the surface of the river, and he began to swim towards her, a lone indomitable

She was unaware of the tears rolling across her cheeks. How lucky that she had not cast herself into the waters before Jacob surfaced, or she would truly have been separated from her love for ever! She looked down at the fish once more. Its timely arrival had saved her life,

a mighty effort and enduring courage. When he saw Emily sitting in a dejected heap, he felt both gratitude and pity.

tears, which tasted a bit salty, yet also saccharine, "Don't cry.

the pain, "I couldn't stand such a blow again.

confession in his heart, and it was like a dagger to his soul. Bowing, he kissed her lips, "I won't... Even if I were really dead, I would not allow you to

pupils dilated sharply, and suddenly she bit him

the sudden pain and arousal

she were venting her loss, the pain of their separation and her fears in

a clean spot for her to sit, he managed to make a fire, and so drive the cold away and dry their

layer slip. She curled up in Jacob's arms, clinging to his body for heat. Wrapped in his embrace she

the dry garments, while he began to remove his wet clothes to dry. When she finished dressing, she glued onto Jacob again, her large eyes fixed on his face. She seemed to have foregone blinking, as if she

into the safety of his arms again and kissed her hair, "Don't be afraid! I will never leave

hadn't seen the lovely daughter she told him about yet. Moreover, there were still so many things for him to

die for her, but there was much that they

his chest in silence, her long curled eyelashes overshadowing the unease which

him he began preparing the lucky fish for roasting. Yellow fish oil seeped from the scaly body as it began to

and threw up whatever she ate. Seeing that her face was deathly pale, he became

his strength, he ate some of the fish and hurried to transport Emily back to the village.

clasped her hands around his neck, and dared not let go. She was worn out and a fever had begun, which gave her