"Ashley, stay with the kid. I'm going to get Brett!" I said "NO!" She insisted. But I didn't listen. ***Brett*** I tried hard to stay on top of the raging waters. I was slammed into rocks and trees as I was being carried by the current. My mind raced with ways of getting out alive. ***Mary-Kate*** I looked out my window at the water gushing out where the dam once stood. I prayed that Ashley, Marc-Andre and Brett were all okay. I turned on the small TV I had in my room. "The dam has just collapsed sending thousands of gallons of water rushing out. Initial reports from the military indicate everyone was evacuated from the town. Although they do tell us that two soldiers are missing and one woman reports her son is also missing. We'll have details as soon as they are available." The anchor person reported. I stared at the tv in shock "Two soldiers? Oh no!" And then I passed out... ***Brett*** I tried my best to stay above water, and so far it was working. I kept being slammed against rocks and trees as the current was carrying me away. "There has to be something I can do to get out of here." I thought. ***Marc-Andre*** Brett was carried away so fast that I couldn't see him anymore. I was desperately trying not to give up hope on him. I kept running over logs, fallen trees and debris that had collected on the sides of the raging river. I could hear a faint call in the distance. It was hard to tell where it was coming from in all the noise. I ran a little farther and saw Brett was pinned to a tree by the pressure of the water. He looked like he was struggling to breath against the pressure. I had to think of something fast. I looked around and saw an old tool shed nearby. I hope they have a long rope in there. I ran over to the shed and got some things. ***Ashley*** I hugged the little boy trying to keep back tears. I couldn't believe this had happened. And it was all my fault! I don't know what I'd do if something happened to Marc-Andre... ***Brett*** The water pushed against me, pinning me to the tree trunk. I couldn't move and it was so hard to breath. I was starting to get dizzy and struggled to stay awake. "Brett!" I heard Marc-Andre's voice call. "Marc-Andre?" I yelled out. "Hang on! I'm coming!" He yelled. I smiled as I knew someone had found me. The dizzyness was too much and I passed out. ***Marc-Andre*** I measured the distance between Brett and I, It was a looooooong way. I grabbed a rope and checked it's length. It should be long enough. I then tied a rock to the end and through it towards Brett hoping he'd catch it. And hoping the rock wouldn't knock him out. Then I noticed... Too late This was not good, he could be swept away at any second, if he doesn't stop breathing first. I looked around and I saw a tree near the river. It was big and sturdy. I tied one end of the rope around me and the other end around the tree. I ran as far upstream as I could and I jumped into the water. With any luck, the current will carry me to him and I can just let the current pull us both after and bring us to the side when the rope runs out. The current carried me downstream and past Brett. "NO!" I screamed. It carried me back to the shore and I tried again... I managed to make it on the third try. I struggled to fight the current pushing me in the back. I got a good grip of Brett and pushed myself to the side with the rope pulling us to shore. I got Brett up on land and I checked his vital signs. He was still breathing, but barely. I picked him up onto my shoulders and I ran back to Ashley. "Marc-Andre!" Ashley yelled as I reached her. "Are you ok?" She asked. "I'm alright, but Brett isn't." I answered. "We need to get him to the hospital right now!" Ashley picked up the small boy and we both ran to the hospital. ***Mary-Kate*** "Whats going on?" Mary-Kate asked the nurse running past her door. "The two soldiers who were washed away were just brought in" "Are they ok" "I don't know for sure, but I heard one was in pretty bad shape" And with that she disappeared again. I leaned back on the bad trying to get myself to stop worrying. Heaps of soldiers would have helped. No guarantee it was Brett or Marc-Andre. I was looking out the window when I heard someone walk in. "Ashley" I said turning to her. Her hair was a total mess, she'd been crying and her face was tear strained. And she had a little boy clinging to her hand "Oh, Mary-kate" She said running over to me. "What's wrong?" "Brett..." She started. "No..." I whispered. "No, he can't be!" I cried out. Ashley sat down on the bed and hugged me tightly. "He's not. He was banged up badly and he's unconcious. Marc-Andre brought him in. It's all my fault. I'm so sorry Mary-Kate, I should have come back like Marc-Andre told me." She cried. The little boy looked up at Ashley "Don't cry Ashley" "Mary-Kate" Ashley sniffled "This is Philip. I found him in a house in the evacuated area" "Hello Philip" I said smiling even though I was really worried about Brett. "You're very lucky Ashley found you" Philip nodded Marc-Andre walked into the room and sat down in a chair. Ashley ran to him and hugged him. "How is he?" I asked Marc-Andre as soon as I saw him. He looked up at me and forced a smile. "He's being examined by the doctors. He still isn't awake and that's all I know for now." I sat down on my bed and I tried not to cry. "I want to see him." I said. "I want to see him now!" "You'll be able to, soon" Ashley soothed. Philip climbed up on the bed and then onto my lap. "I wanna see my mommy too" he said hugging me. "We'll find your mommy as soon as we can." I said, comforting him. "Do you remember what she looks like or what her name is?" The young boy nodded. "Debbie." "Alright, once things calm down Ashley will take you to find your mommy." I said. My head started to hurt again and I laid back until it passed. "Are you ok?" Philip asked me. "I'm ok." I forced a smile. "Just a small headache." Ashley looked at me. Concern showing on her face. "Come on Philip" she said picking him up "I'm thirsty are you?" Philip nodded "Lets go get a drink and let Mary-kate rest" She said walking out the door. "Are you ok?" I asked Marc-Andre.
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