Desperation surged in his chest. Without thinking, he turned and ran, the sound of the crocodile splashing behind him echoing in his ears. *God spare me this once, I swear never to steal sweets again!* His thoughts raced as he pushed forward, dodging trees and vines, trying to escape this new horror.
But the attack from the snake was taking its toll. Dizziness clouded his vision, his legs feeling like lead. As he heard the chilling sound of the croc still pursuing him, he stumbled, falling hard to the ground. Pain shot through his calf from the snake bite, and he realized the toxin must be causing paralysis to settle in.
Is this where my life ends? The thought raced through his mind as he struggled to remain conscious. His vision began to fade, blurry shapes blending into one another. He could have sworn he saw vague figures of people standing over him, their faces indistinguishable in his haze.
Just as the world around him slipped into shadow, Ethan felt a delicate thread of hope wrestle against the darkness. Holding on for dear life, he clung to the thought that perhaps, if he could just hang on a bit longer, he might find a way to escape this jungle of terror.
Then, everything went black.