Page 21 of Deadly Target (Rocky Mountain Courage 2)

SEVEN

The river exploded, bursting from the sides, breaking through the already weakened structure. A terrifying force tumbled, rolled, sped toward them. Erin stared at the astonishing sight. Heart racing, she gaped at certain death, the shocking scene gripping her. Fear cemented her feet on the ground.

I have to move. We have to run.

A wall of water sped downriver, gathering speed and debris. Though her mind told her what must be done, her body wouldn’t cooperate. She tried to lift one leg, then another. Her limbs refused to respond. Her life was in mortal danger if she didn’t move. A scream fought to escape, but terror had squeezed her throat. She couldn’t even breathe.

Nathan gripped her shoulders and shook her. “We have to get out of here. Come on!”

He tugged her hand, pulling her out of her stupor. She stumbled forward. Her limbs finally responding, she joined him. He gripped her hand and towed her along with him as hard and fast as the terrain would allow. But it was no use. Nathan had to release her hand to navigate the pebbles and boulders as they made their way toward the trees. Beyond that, the land rose sharply.

Erin veered away. “Wait! The trailhead is this way.”

Nathan paused and stretched out his hand, reaching for her again. “Forget the trailhead. We have to get to higher ground!”

Erin wouldn’t argue. He waited for her to close the distance and took her hand as though he feared they would get separated and he would lose her. The roar closed in around them, growing louder.

Another crack resounded. More of the dam collapsing? Her pulse thundered in her ears, almost louder than the deadly force racing toward them. She risked a glance over her shoulder.

That was a mistake. A big mistake.

“Erin!” Nathan pulled her along, and she ran with him toward higher ground. He urged her forward with such powerful strength that she had no choice but to move with him if she wanted to keep her arm.

Her breaths quickened as she hopped over boulders and rocks, propelling her body faster ... faster ... as a cacophony of violent sounds echoed around her.

We’re not going to make it. Oh, God, I don’t want to die...

She yanked her hand from his grip. “I can’t move as fast as you. Just go on. I’ll catch up!”

Time seemed to slow. Nathan glanced over his shoulder at her, then shifted his gaze to what lay beyond her. His eyes widened. His horror-stricken face told her that he knew the truth. What she’d finally admitted to herself.

“We’re not going to make it!” A cry ripped from her tense throat.

Nathan reached for her, catching one hand in his, tightening his grip as the flash flood tumbled over them. The force ripped her from Nathan’s grasp and pulled them apart, then tossed her around.

“Erin!” Nathan shouted her name even as his face disappeared when the monster caught him and dragged him under.

Cold, jagged fingers of water pressed her down, down, down in a rush of shocking violence. Spun her around. Over and over. With her lungs screaming and her eyes shut, the force rolled her, tossed her, pulled her deeper, and pushed her forward as though she were nothing more than debris. In this moment in time, Erin had absolutely no control over her life—if she’d ever had any.

Her heart cried out repeatedly. Please don’t let me die...

Sheer terror gripped her.Her heart pounded, consuming the limited oxygen in her lungs.

God, help me. Help Nathan.

This was it, then. She should prepare for death, but how did one do that? Images of her coming demise accosted her. At any moment would she just lose consciousness? Or hit her head on a boulder or be impaled or drown?

Though it seemed impossible, she couldn’t let go of hope that she would survive. She and Nathan would both survive. Pain ignited in her back as her body was dashed against the rocks. Pressure built in her lungs until Erin was sure her head might explode. What could she expect next? She fought the whimpers that tried to escape.

These were truly her last moments on this earth.

Suddenly her face rose above the tide. She exhaled. Opening her eyes, she gulped in more air. It could make the difference between life and death. Water rushed over her and into her mouth. She swallowed too much, spewing and coughing as she forced her head above the rush of the flood. Up ahead the canyon narrowed, rising tall and lofty with rock walls on both sides that turned the water into rapids.

Trees on each side of the riverbanks reached for her as the water spread out for a few hundred yards before entering the canyon. Water continued to spew from the broken dam and pushed her forward much too fast. But she had made it this far. Maybe there was hope. Still, Erin was at a loss for how to save herself.

God, you’ve helped me through so far. Please show me a way out of this. Help me!

And what about Nathan? Her heart screamed, burst with pain at the thought of him trying to save her and being ripped away. Was he struggling like she was? Or was he already gone?

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