The wind and air pressure changed again. The water from the lake suddenly rose up, and it pushed a flood down the stream. It flowed over the bridge with such rapid force that it swept Mika away.
She was pulled under for several seconds before the current brought her back up. She gasped the moment her head was out of the water. Mika was a good swimmer, but she was struggling to keep afloat. With all her might, she paddled to the edge of the stream.
Her wet clothes weighted her down, but she took firm steps up the bank until she was far enough from the stream that she could catch her breath. She opened her satchel and set it on her feet to keep it from touching the ground.
Mika glanced to her left. Shona was squatting next to her with a blank expression. I’m just looking for my towel, Mika said grumpily. Oh, finally. Here it is.
She sat and sprawled her arms back. Ah, it’s wet. In fact, everything in her bag had gotten wet. There was a cup’s worth of water still in the bottom of the bag.
It will dry if you leave it out for a few hours, Shona said.
Yes, I know, said Mika, and with sudden swift movements, she unbuttoned the top two buttons of her blouse and pulled it off. I’ll let this dry for a few minutes and then we can go, OK?
I’ll wait. I have time, Shona replied.
Mika was tired. She wanted to rest for the remainder of the day, but she wasn’t sure how far she had gone, and she still had to get to Shona’s laboratory while it was still light out.
A sweet ringing tone sounded beside her. It took her a few moments to realize that it was her phone. She smiled with wonder as she pulled it out her bag.
