Not A Small-Town Girl

----

“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

explain 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’ll come back for Dad

and Xavier."

“Danielle, you’re not planning on swinging Mom over with

that rope, right? What if it stops halfway or...?" Xavier

asked, clearly worried.

“Xavier, | know what I’m doing. It’s safe, | promise,”

Danielle said, her eyes full of determination.

“Xavier didn’t doubt her, actually, he trusted her completely.

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 be completely 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 was coming 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’ll land

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.

“Howard laughed, 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."