----
“Danielle, you’re really gonna fly us over there?" Xavier
asked, wide-eyed.
“Danielle gave a small nod. "Yeah, more or less. Don’t
underestimate this rope. It can handle up to two thousand
pounds, so we’re good."
"They still didnt quite get it, and
Danielle wast in the mood to
exin any further. They would
figure it,out soon enough. She
turned back to double-check the”
ropetied to the rock, testing iTover
anckover to make sure it weéuld hold.
----
“With everything ready, Danielle threw her backpack on.
“Mom, I’ll take you across first, then I’lle back for Dad
and Xavier."
“Danielle, you’re not nning on swinging Mom over with
that rope, right? What if it stops halfway or...?" Xavier
asked, clearly worried.
“Xavier, I know what I’m doing. It’s safe, I promise,”
Danielle said, her eyes full of determination.
“Xavier didn’t doubt her, actually, he trusted herpletely.
But what she was implying was that she would have to
swing back and forth across that pit three times, taking one
person at a time. Danielle was so small...
“Howard saw the look in his daughter’s eyes and felt a little
reassured. He knew there was no other option. If Danielle
hadn’t had that rope, they would bepletely stuck.
----
“Danielle, justttake Mom across.
Xavier and Wwill handle it ourselves,"
Howard said, not wanting his o
?
daughtelto go back and forth thfee
timesPlus, she was still dealing
witk’poison, and he worried { ibmight
toll on her health.
----
“Danielle got where her dad wasing from, but even if
she wasn’t very big, she was stronger than she looked.
“It’s fine, you two wait here. I’ll get you across, but you can’t
swing over," Danielle replied. Turning to Vivian, she added,
“Mom, don’t worry. Just close your eyes if you’re scared.
Ready?"
“Vivian was clearly nervous but smiled weakly. "Ready. I’m
not scared." She had convinced herself that if they fell
halfway, she would somehow cushion her daughter’s fall, at
least giving her a better chance.
----
“Okay, here we go,” Danielle said.
“She backed up a few steps, wrapped the rope around her
right hand a few times, and then put her left hand around
Vivian’s waist. "Mom, close your eyes if you’re scared. I’ll
keep you safe, trust me."
“I trust you," Vivian replied just before Danielle lifted her up
and got ready to run. With a speed that seemed
impossible, Danielle zoomed forward, holding Vivian like
she was weightless.
----
"Vivian had nt to help, but she
was caugh guard when Danielle
just pickes\fer up. Her feet were >
dangling“and she thought she was
supp@sed to run with her daughter
to hélp, but instead, her feet weren’t
even touching the ground.;
----
“Danielle took off like a blur, her speed almost
supernatural. As they flew through the air, Danielle could
feel her mom’s muscles tense up.
"She quickly reassured her, "It’s okay, Mom, we’llnd
safely soon."
“Vivian was so scared, she didn’t even dare to open her
eyes. She just listened to her daughter’s voice, too terrified
to do anything else.
“Meanwhile, Howard and Xavier were left gaping. They
knew Danielle was about to run, but they didn’t even see
her move before she was flying past them. It was so fast,
they barely saw her at all.
----
“Dad, if Danielle entered the Olympics, she’d definitely win
a gold medal," Xavier said, still in shock. She moved like
she had a jet engine attached to her.
She could even lift Vivian with just one hand.
“Howardughed, his chest swelling with pride. "Oh, ILook
at how strong your sister is. She’s just like me. If this were
the old days, she’d be leading troops into battle."