Cave is the ninth chapter in the Fourth Configuration. It shows how Harding survives after being thrown overboard by the evil Lewis Dodgson.
Plot[]
Initially, Sarah Harding surfaces and only can see more waves fifteen feet above her, most definitely an immense ocean. She is dragged forward by the power of the waves, then backwards and no longer could see the boat or Isla Sorna. Helpless, she felt a surge of panic. She try to kick upwards, however, the weight of her boots pull her back down. She surfaces and gasps for air, knowing she has to remove her footwear. Harding takes a deep breath, returns underwater and tried to unlace her boots. All she feels are burning lungs and the immense movement of the ocean. She successfully removes one of her boots yet dives underwater again, her fingers turned cold and stiff. It seemed hours before she removes her second boot and struggles up lighter, in a dogpaddle.
The waves nevertheless push her up and back down, and she panics upon unable to see the island. The next moment, she did spot it, however, the cliffs appear to be dangerously close. Furthermore, the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks increase her fright. Suddenly, despite the impending danger, she spots a cave a hundred yards to her right. She attempts to swim towards it, however, the waves are too powerful and pulled her towards the cliffs. This further increased her fright and she expected to die. Harding swallowed sea water, felt nauseous then increasing terror. Despite the fear, she still attempts to swim without looking. Surprisingly, she then finds herself closer to the cave. Still frighten yet also feeling some sense of encouragement, Harding kicks onwards despite her aching body and the power of the waves. Harding thought the wave movement might be slower inside the cave, however it was not and still the boat is not in her sight. Despite a weakening body, Harding still kicks forward, still hearing the deadly sound of the waves. A swell dragged her towards the cliffs and with no power she only spotted darkness.
The next second, she realizes the waves carried her into the cave. The waves were still extremely powerful and she she moves blindly, finding herself deeper inside the cave, her body scrapped against a rock. Then, she sees light and is able to keep her head above water, seeing the end of the cave. She again surprisingly is carried out into hot light and into a muddy river. Harding hears the chirping of jungle birds. Then, she spots, Dodgson's boat tied up around a bend in the river. She knows she doesn't want to see the trio. Harding continues to swim then grabs a stand of mangroves. She is still extremely weak, yet, finally drags herself out of the water and into the foliage. She then spots "several rather large animal footprints in the mud...curious, three-toed footprints, with each toe ending in a large claw." As she examines the mysterious prints, she feels the ground vibrating shifting her hands, a shadow looming over her then the underbelly of a leathery animal above her. The animal's foot crashes down next to her and she hears a soft snorting sound. With lethargy enveloping her, she falls unconscious.
Note[]
Michael Crichton uses the word 'she' through the chapter until the last paragraph where he finally mention's Sarah Harding's name.
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