Otter Creek set the controls for the heart of the sun

Oh, gods, she was in pursuit. Maegi paddled faster, her breathing shallow as she went with the current. She was beginning to tire, though, and hoped that the creek could carry her quick enough along to escape the woman. Every muscle ached, and her eyes drooped.

But she felt rather than saw the stranger's teeth near her neck, and a new panic set in. Desperate, she figured now was a good a time as any to see how long she could hold her breath underwater. She said another quick, silent prayer to Mephala. . .and, sucking in one final gasp of air, ducked beneath the surface.

Her eyes were shut; there was no way she was going to open them, not in these unfamiliar conditions. Blind as the day she was born, her body hurtled through the icy depths, careening with the current. The seconds ticked by, and her lungs were beginning to burn. Her toes skirted the bottom of the creek, raking painfully against the jagged pebbles.

Soon, it had to be soon! She needed to breathe. She ducked her head down, intending to launch herself back to the surface, her body half-somersaulting, one sharp crack!--

Maegi fell headlong into darkness, rendered unconscious from the boulder's blow to her temple.