Atemu sprinted across the sand north of the village, his sight set toward the Nile and its relative safety. His own ragged breathing filled his ears as he dashed toward the shore. He scarcely noticed the pain from the deep lacerations crossing his shoulder, overcome by panicked adrenaline.

            The deep whoosh of enormous wings flapping behind him grew louder as his pursuer closed with impossible speed. Atemu cut to the right through a stand of trees for momentary cover, aiming for a dock on the shoreline. A crocodile sunned itself further up the beach, but he paid it no mind. He would take his chances in the water. 

His sandals hit the dock. A terrified glance to the rear revealed a massive set of talons swung toward him, extending from a shadow backlit by the sun. Atemu uttered a silent prayer as he reached the end of the dock and leapt with all his strength from the edge.

He was struck mid-air from behind with impossible force. Time seemed to slow, and he looked down in shock to see a row of talons protruding from his chest. He hung suspended above the Nile, and an otherworldly screech echoed out above him.

Attempts to breathe brought no result, and Atemu slumped over the talons that pierced him. His disbelief was slowly supplanted by numb absence, and his awareness faded to oblivion.