[Despite his advanced years, which are evinced by the whiteness of his hair, and despite the added burden of another person, he is quick on his feet. Soon they are nearing the hatch through which pours the hazy light from outside, and through which other refugees have already escaped. The vessel lurches in its watery descent, the floor beneath them steadily sloping, and overhead a damaged lighting fixture swings dangerously from the ruptured metal ceiling. Jean Valjean ducks past, careful to shield the young woman with his own body as they go.
Then they are at the exit, which thankfully tilts upward as the ship sinks. The murky waters lap at the side of the spacecraft about two feet below the opened hatch, but how deep these waters stretch he cannot discern.]
You won't be able to swim with your ankle as it is.
[By which he means to say that he shall keep carrying her. However, he will have to adjust his hold on her, maneuvering her so that one arm supports her bottom while she holds fast around his neck, similar to how one might carry a child, and thus freeing his other arm. This will allow him to climb down from the hatch rather than plunging straight into the water.]
no subject
Then they are at the exit, which thankfully tilts upward as the ship sinks. The murky waters lap at the side of the spacecraft about two feet below the opened hatch, but how deep these waters stretch he cannot discern.]
You won't be able to swim with your ankle as it is.
[By which he means to say that he shall keep carrying her. However, he will have to adjust his hold on her, maneuvering her so that one arm supports her bottom while she holds fast around his neck, similar to how one might carry a child, and thus freeing his other arm. This will allow him to climb down from the hatch rather than plunging straight into the water.]