"Help! Help! Someone, please! Help me!"
Lyra turned her head and saw the enormous dark shadow racing toward her.
She ran as fast as she could, her heart pounding in terror. But after only a few steps, she looked down and felt dread wash over her.
Her feet were stuck in the quicksand once again.
"No! No! Please, let me go! Help! Anyone! Please help me!"
She screamed and cried, but no one answered.
The quicksand beneath her began to pull her down.
"Lyra!"
Her head snapped toward the voice.
For the first time, someone was calling her name.
Someone was looking for her.
Someone who might save her.
"Lyra, where are you, dear?"
"Help me! Please! Help me!"
The quicksand swallowed her deeper. It had already reached her neck.
She struggled to breathe as the sand crept into her mouth.
