Once I had surfaced, I was briefly confused as to which way was forward, before I remembered that the river's current flowed rightward, so I just had to position myself so that I was facing against the current, then turn 90 degrees to the right. I kept going for several hours before I sensed what must have been several dozen beast-fish. I had no idea if they were the same type, but I had no doubt they'd be just as deadly. So much for not being faced with like 20 of them!
Swimming as fast as I could, in a couple minutes hope flared in me as I saw what at first, I thought was the opposite bank, but what soon became apparent was something more like a sandbar or barren islet. I could see deeper water off to the left, but I'd have to swim against the current to get at it. On the other hand, if I could stay ahead of the pack enough to have a few seconds to prepare once I reached the sand, taking them head on might be possible.
