39 Chapter 39 Dwindling Strength (1/2)

”Gia, are you okay?” called Vonn softly, once the noises of Luan's cries faded.

”I'm still alive, if that's what you mean,” she responded, unable to open her eyes.

What was wrong with her? It was her mom who was afraid of heights, not her! She took a breath and opened them, only to find a giant leaf blocking her view of the chasm below her. A rush of relief flowed through her. Glancing up, she could see the edge of the path only about six feet above her.

”Gia, you need to reach up and start climbing, I can't get around you,” said Vonn.

”I don't think I can,” she said, staring up at the next branch. Her hands were holding on so tight, she was starting to lose feeling in the tips of her fingers.

”Dear, you can't stay there forever, and I can't carry you. You can do this,” he said, his voice gentle and calm. ”I'll help you, okay?”

”Okay,” she whispered. If her hands went numb, she would fall. She had to climb. She could do this.

”Let go with your left hand and reach up,” he coaxed.

She lessened her grip just as her left foot slipped a little. With a high-pitched yelp, she tightened her grip again and held on for dear life with her eyes squeezed shut as tight as she could.

”I can't do this!” she whimpered.

”Gia, you have to. If you fall, I will fall after you. Then there won't be anyone to help your mom and dad get home. Your little brother will have no one to teach him how to cut down trees or hunt in the woods,” he said, trying to distract her.

”I know that,” she whispered, peeking up at the next branch with one eye. It was right there, not very far at all.

Swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat, she lunged for the branch just above her left hand. The quick movement almost dislodged her completely, and she felt the whole vine shake. Vonn had reached up and pushed her foot higher on the branch where she was standing, and was helping to hold her still.

”Good girl, but let's move a little more gently next time, okay?”

She nodded, not daring to look down at him.

”All right, now I'm going to guide your left foot up to the next foothold, alright?”

She could feel his hand holding onto her ankle. ”Alright.”

Moving painstakingly slow, she moved her foot, with him guiding her. Once she felt his hand leave her ankle, she looked for the next branch to grab with her right hand. It was too high!

”Gia, calm down, you're breathing too fast. I don't need you to pass out. Slow breaths, okay? In and out,” he said, helping her to slow her breathing.

”I can't reach the next branch,” she said shakily.

”Yes, you can. You just need to push with your left foot and reach. Your right foot is going to come off its branch and I will guide it while you go,” he said, placing his hand on her right ankle.

”It's too far, Vonn,” she whimpered, looking up at the branch.

”Gia, you can do this. Stop thinking you can't. It only looks far because of the angle. Go on,” he said, his voice smooth and deep.

Swallowing again, she took a breath and loosening her right hand, raising it as far as it would go. There were still a few inches between the branch and her fingertips! Grabbing the branch she had before, she shook her head.

”I can't reach it!” she sobbed.

”Gia,” he said, soothingly. ”You need to straighten your left leg while you reach. You can do it. I have your other foot, so I can guide it to the next branch.”

Looking back up at the branch, she nodded and reached again, her left leg quivering as she tried to straighten it. She could feel his hand guiding her right foot as the panic of only being supported by her left hand and left foot beat against her chest. Grabbing the branch with her right hand as he firmly seated her foot onto its next foothold, she clung to the vine and fought to catch her breath.