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He couldn’t go any farther. There was nothing left to hold onto. And the tip of the tree wouldn’t hold him.

Meeka’s eyes were shut tight, and her face was white with shock. Her little fingers clutched the satchel as it held by one slowly ripping strap.

“Everything is okay, Meeka. I’m here. Just don’t let go!” Jackson yelled over the rushing waterfall. “Okay,” squeaked her little voice. It was a long drop, the water churning and bubbling at the bottom, waiting to eat whatever fell off the edge. Sharp, menacing rocks poked out of the water.

Oh, dear.

Jackson stretched himself out on the trunk, trying to reach Meeka. She was too far away. He tried to think of stories where he had seen this kind of thing before. He didn’t have any rope. There weren’t any extra branches for her to grab. He couldn’t reach her. He couldn’t reach the bag. He crept along the trunk. The tree began to bend into the ravine.

The branch tore. It sounded exactly like the cracking of knucklebones.

Jackson’s heart sank in desperation. There was nothing he could do. Absolutely nothing. The pounding in his heart matched the pain in his head. I can’t do anything. I can’t save her, raced through his mind.

Jackson eased backward off the trunk, shuffling along until he could stand up. He searched frantically for a branch or something he could hold out to Meeka. Nothing. He checked his pockets, looking for something, anything that would help; a rope, a trampoline, an idea, something. He pulled out two stones. You have no friends, read one. You are not worth loving, read the other.

A fiery anger burned within him. Meeka is my friend. Jackson chucked the stones to the ground. He thought of the Author who created him, the Author who gave him his dreams, his life, his hardships, his struggles. Who gave him a friend.

“NO!” Jackson yelled. His mind spun furiously.

It came to him. He knew what he had to do.

He had to save Meeka’s life.

Even if…even if…

Jackson didn’t think the rest of the sentence. Instead, he thought about the Author. He thought about the Author writing his story. He thought about being the hero. And he knew what he had to do. Jackson looked at the fallen tree, and then looked at Meeka.

He ran as fast as he could.

And jumped.

Chapter 54

In Which a Hero Is Born

Jackson soared through the air, and his hands flayed until he snagged the branch. He swung himself up and hugged Meeka’s sobbing body.

“I’ve got you.”

“I know,” she whimpered.

The branch broke.

Chapter 55

In Which We Wait for Death

The air rushed around their falling bodies. Jackson shut his eyes tightly, holding Meeka closer. He heard the sounds of the churning water beneath them. Jackson turned, holding Meeka on top of him.

So he would hit the rocks first.

She will not die, she will not die, she will not die. Jackson’s thoughts repeated. But why isn’t my life flashing before my eyes? I wonder if there’s a heaven. Is my hamster there? What about my grandma? I should have hugged Mom. I hope she’s not too sad that I’m gone.

There were other thoughts that I will not divulge, because some things are just too personal. And it’s none of your business.

Meeka squeezed Jackson, her chin on his shoulder, her legs wrapped around his waist. He held her tighter. He waited for the crash.

Chapter 56

In Which We Meet Another Hero

Ahoy!” a voice called out.

“Jackson, look!”

Jackson’s eyes popped open. They weren’t falling. They weren’t even moving. He looked around and realized that they were hanging in midair. The satchel strap had snagged a tree. A different tree.

Am I kidding you?

No. I am not.

“Want some help?”

Jackson turned his head to look behind him.

Josh!

Chapter 57

In Which No One Dies

Josh stood on a ledge three feet from them. His arms stretched out to Meeka, and Jackson loosened his grip on her. She planted her feet on Jackson’s thighs and jumped to Josh’s arms. He hugged her and put her down. Jackson stretched out a trembling hand and Josh grabbed it tightly.

Jackson looked at Josh. Josh’s face was calm and he was smiling.

“Trust