Another cracking sound ended the conversation. Bubbles attempted moving toward Clara’s voice, but his paws slipped against loose bark. The branch dropped several inches. The climbing boy reached toward his collar while friends tightened the rope. Clara continued calling, forcing steadiness into her voice while terror shook her entire body.
A strong gust moved through the canopy, twisting weakened timber. The branch tore away from the trunk before anyone reached Bubbles. He launched himself toward a neighboring limb but missed. Clara watched his white body fall through leaves. The boys below lifted their stretched jackets and moved together beneath his path.