As they started toward the mountain pass, Arlo felt a giant lump growing in his throat. Fear seemed to take over his entire body. Even though he was with Poppa, he had never been so scared.
The wind moved noisily through the trees and caused branches to bend and sway. Arlo looked at the sky. Dark storm clouds seemed to be swirling1 in and he started to feel even worse. Poppa, what if we get lost? he asked, glancing around at his strange surroundings.
But Poppa wasnt sTOPping for anything. Well follow the river home, he said plainly.
BOOM!
Thunder rumbled2 and popped in the distance as Poppa continued to push Arlo along. Come on, he said.
Soon rain started to fall, and water began to fill the critters tracks in the mudmaking them disappear.
Were losing it! cried Poppa, picking up speed.
Arlo tried to keep up with him.
CRACK!
Lightning flashed, causing Arlo to whimper. The thunder was louder now and the storm was absolutely terrifying!
Trying to keep up, Arlo slipped in the mud and tumbled to the ground. Poppa! Arlo called. Wait!
Poppa turned and saw his son struggling, trembling with fear. Poppa softened3. Its okay, Arlo. Its okay, he said kindly4. Im sorry. Ill help you through it.
Wh-wh-what if I just cant? Arlo stammered5.
I know you can. You got it in you.
How do you know?
Because youre me, and more, Poppa said, smiling.
Crack!
BOOM!
Lightening quickly flashed again, and the thunder grew even louder. The storm seemed to be right on TOP of them. Arlo leaned against Poppa, desperate for comfort. Poppa helped Arlo up and out of the mud. Whaddya say we head home? he asked.
As they started back, the ground trembled and the river swelled6. Arlo could hear the ripping, crunching7 sound of roots coming out of the ground, and the loud thumping8 of trees falling against the wilderness9 floor in the distance.
Suddenly, Poppas face showed alarm and he yelled, Run, Arlo! He pushed Arlo up the hill with all his might, trying to get him away from the river. Arlos feet sank into the wet, thick mud as Poppa yelled, Move!
Horrified10, Arlo looked up river and saw something huge and black coming toward them. The wind whipped faster, stinging Arlos eyes and knocking down trees so close that the sound of them hitting the ground was deafening11. The thunder and lightning intensified12. And Arlo froze, too terrified to move.
All at once, the river water seemed to rise to the sky and roared toward them like a monster. Using all his might, Poppa threw Arlo up to the safety of the riverbank. Arlo helplessly watched as Poppa tried to get up the hill and slippedjust as the giant wall of water hit. Arlo cried out as he watched the water swallow Poppa and sweep him away.
Arlo stared at the raging river as it became a colorless blur13. The trees, the sky, and the earth beneath his feet seemed to melt away as he felt an indescribable hollowness.
Poppa was gone.
他们开始朝山口走去。阿乐的心都提到嗓子眼了，恐惧好像占据了他的整个身体。尽管龙父亲就在身边，他还是感到了前所未有些恐惧。
风入林间，呼啸而过，树枝被吹弯了，四下乱舞。阿乐看看天空，黑压压的雷雨云看上去滚滚而来，他感觉更糟糕了。他扫了一眼周围陌生的环境问道：父亲，假如大家迷失方向了如何解决？
但龙父亲不计划由于任何事而停下，而是平静地说道：顺着河走大家就能回家。
隆隆！
远处雷声隆隆，轰然作响，龙父亲继续推着阿乐往前。快点儿。他说。
非常快，下起了雨，雨水淹没了泥地里小孩子的足迹那些足迹消失了。
大家要跟丢了！龙父亲一边喊一边加快节奏。
阿乐努力跟上他。
噼啪！
闪电一闪，吓得阿乐发出了呜咽声。此时，雷声愈加响，暴风雨可怕极了！
为了努力跟上父亲，阿乐滑进了泥潭，跌倒在地上。他叫道：父亲！等等我！
龙父亲转过身，看到儿子在泥潭里挣扎，害怕地发抖。他心软了，便和蔼地说：没事了，阿乐，没事了。是我不好，我会助你渡过这次难关的。
如假如我就是不可以呢？阿乐结巴着说。
我了解你行的，你有这个潜力。
你如何了解？
由于你是我的儿子，而且你比我强多了。龙父亲笑着说。
噼啪！
隆隆！
又一道闪电快速划过，雷声也愈加响，暴风雨看上去就在他们正上方。阿乐靠着龙父亲，渴望得到安慰。龙父亲将他从泥潭里拉了起来。你说大家回家如何？阿乐问道。
他们往回走的时候，大地开始颤动，河流开始翻涌。阿乐能听到树被连根拔起时，根部断裂的嘎吱声和远处树被吹倒在地的重击声。
忽然，龙父亲的脸上露出了慌张的神色，他大声喊道：快跑，阿乐！他用尽全身力气把阿乐推上了小山，努力让阿乐离得远远的河流。龙父亲大喊：快跑！这个时候，阿乐的双脚却陷进了厚厚的淤泥之中。
阿乐感到惊恐万分，抬头看向河流，看到黑色的庞然大物正朝他们涌来。风刮得更急了，刺痛了阿乐的眼睛，成片的树林被刮倒，由于阿乐离得近，所以声音震耳欲聋。雷声和闪电愈演愈烈，阿乐僵住了，害怕得迈不开步子。
忽然，河水飞涨，看上去要直达天际，像个怪物一样向他们咆哮。龙父亲用尽全身力气，把阿乐扔到了河岸上安全的地方。河水像一面巨大的墙砸过来的时候，阿乐只能无助地看着父亲努力爬上山又滑落下去。看着河水把父亲一口吞下，又将父亲冲走，阿乐大声哭了起来。
咆哮的河流渐渐平静下来，阿乐盯着这所有，一种无以名状的空洞感让他感觉树木、天空和脚下的大地都消失了。
父亲没了。