She couldn't breathe. The fall had hit on her ribs, and something had cracked, and now every breath was agony from hip to shoulder.

The bear was a lot faster than her, and she closed her eyes and wished, prayed that some of her natural speed and strength, whatever it was that they took from her, would come back. But it didn't.

She could run parallel to the mountain and let the bear catch up with her and kill her.

Or she could go up and let it happen a lot faster.

Or she could jump, over the edge of the steep cliff and let herself fall down to the waterfall's height. It was her only chance, and she redoubled her limping effort, trying to make it there.