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"Rio Conwy," True says again, to finish He shouts my name Cheers it Invites everyone to look at n toof applause and a fehistles from the stands and I almost smile It’s easy to perfor

And then, into this moment of buoyancy, I feel that sudden, deep despair creep in

This is never going to work, a voice says to me You think metal fish can replace ood as a pressurized transport? You’re going to die, Rio Conwy You’re pretending to be a showet to the Above on your own, and the only one you’ve tricked is yourself

You’re never going to get Above

People keep cheering The official ti that in

"Be careful," True says

I’m the last, I think The last siren

The timer lowers his arm

I jump in and swim

I’m the last, so there’s no reason I shouldn’t also be the first The first to get Above

That argument makes no sense It doesn’t have to I’ve seen the black line, and I swio up

Only three fish hit me, but the eels are faster, and I have several burns on s I pullnext to True

"It could have been worse," True says He’s shaking his head and looks worried, but there’s also a trace of that expression I’ve seen once before, when he said I was beautiful

The spectators loved it They cheer loudly and come down fro out questions, especially the bettors, who have a new race on their hands: Rio Conwy vs Rio Conwy

I’m about to say thank you when I remember that my voice will ruin the spell