He and Precious were escaping down the sluice, but so was One Death.  And the crocodile was crazed with fear and anger.  It snapped wildly with its ugly jaws and thrashed its head from side to side, roaring and screaming like a pig. 

The sluice acted like a long slide.  James could hear Precious shrieking as she was thrown about, and beneath her high-pitched squeals the crocodile’s bellows were audible.  Suddenly, James was thrown sharply to the right as the sluice split in two.  As he was spun around, he saw One Death and Precious disappear down the left-hand branch of the chute.  James heard a broken scream, so terrified and pained that his blood ran cold.  The paths reconvened and James saw with horror that the frenzied crocodile had found Precious and was mauling her, while James was powerless to save her.  He was struck with a wave of nausea as the sluice ecame to an end.

James, Precious and One Death were deposited into nothingness.  James landed on a hard surface, striking his head on a rock.  Then there was nothing.

***

James awoke to find himself lying on a narrow rocky ledge inside a sea cove.  Precious’ body had been washed up beside him, but One Death was nowhere to be seen.  Realising the extent of Precious’ injuries, James rolled over and retched into the sea.  He lay there, weeping silently until he heard the sound of a motor.   He cried out and a speedboat appeared.  Wearily, James climbed into the craft.  El Huracan’s Indians looked at him with fear in their eyes, but when they saw Precious this was mixed with pity.  They threw him a blanket and kept their distance, as though they too would be tainted by death if they went too near James. 

The light of the sun hurt James’ eyes.  He felt numb, but when he saw El Huracan he was consumed with hatred.  El Huracan’s face was unreadable as he watched James stagger from the boat.
“You survived”, he said
“I did, yes”, replied James
“Xilbaba requires a toll before permitting anyone to return from the land of the dead”, said El Huracan.  James spat at the man’s feet and stalked away.

Later that day, El Huracan entered James’ room.
“Send me home, El Huracan”, said James flatly, staring at the wall.
“Your Aunt and Jack Stone have arrived”, stated El Huracan “I just came to tell you to prepare to leave.”
“I hate you, you know” said James in a monotone “you sit here on this island, away from everything, treating life like it’s a game,  You think your little let’s-pretend empire is so perfect.  But one day, it will end.  It has to.”  James turned to El Huracan and their gazes met.  The older man lit a cigar. 
“I have nothing more to say to you.  You are brave, but not stupid.  You knew escape would come at a price.  You are lucky I am a sprtsman, or I would keep you here to work on my ‘let’s-pretend empire’, and you would have to watch it flourish.  Come to the landing strip as soon as you’re ready.”  El Huracan turned and left, shutting the door behind him.  As the sound of the criminal’s footsteps faded, James clenched his fists.  “I will return, El Huracan”, he hissed “I will avenge her.”