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Althoughme into the mess on the rafters, it also saved my life

As I fell, I stuck out an ar else - and ht the rafter If I’d been an ordinary huth to hold on But I wasn’t ordinary I was a half-vaht and hold on

I swung above the four-story drop, eyes shut, hanging on by those four sli on!"Saoing to let go

I’ over,"Sao And don’t panic"

He went on talking as heht, he’d rescuewas fine

His words helped They gaveother than the drop to think about If not for Sa ht the weight would cause it to break and send both of us pluap, crawling along on his stomach, quickly but carefully

Sam paused when he reached me

"Now,"he said, "I’ht hand I’ll do it slowly Don’t rab me with your free hand Okay?"

"Okay,"I said

I felt his hand close over o of the rafter,"he said

"I won’t,"I proth to pull you up,"he toldyou from one side to the other Stretch your free arrab for the rafter If you et a grip, stay still for a few seconds and give your body a chance to relax Then we can haul you up Got it?"

"Got it, captain,"I said, grinning nervously

"Here goes And re to work You will survive"

He began swinging rab at the rafter after a feings but forced h, I stretched out rabbed

I caught it!

I was able to relax a little then and rest the ht arm

"Do you feel ready to pull yourself up?"Saet your upper body up,"he said "When your stoet out of the way and give you rooht hand on the collar of my shirt and jacket - to catch me if I slipped - and helped yank me upward

I scraped my chest and stomach on the rafter, but the pain didn’t bother me In fact, I welcomed it: It otslower than necessary When I reached the ledge, I stayed crouched down and didn’t stand until we got to the stairs Then I leaned against the wall and let out a long, shuddering sigh of relief

"Wow,"Sam said to the left of ain?"

I think he was joking