[ Thankfully, this person doesn't need to be that strong. She just needs to act as his anchor. Feeling the stranger's fingers, he lets go of her ankle so he can affix his iron grip onto her volunteered hand instead and yank. It provides enough leverage for his head and neck to emerge from the dirt, and then his shoulders and his other arm. ]
Th-Thank you! I think... [ He bows his head and shakes, sloughing off the dirt covering his eyes and face. Are there words to express the relief and joy he's feeling right now? Of escaping from a potential live burial? With both arms and shoulders freed, he can get himself out now, probably. So he lets go of her hand, presses his palms into the soft ground around him, and heaves himself upward, flailing his legs as he does. It isn't elegant or terribly dignified, but with effort he finally flops onto his back, gasping and tired, his eyes clenched tight with relief. ]
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Th-Thank you! I think... [ He bows his head and shakes, sloughing off the dirt covering his eyes and face. Are there words to express the relief and joy he's feeling right now? Of escaping from a potential live burial? With both arms and shoulders freed, he can get himself out now, probably. So he lets go of her hand, presses his palms into the soft ground around him, and heaves himself upward, flailing his legs as he does. It isn't elegant or terribly dignified, but with effort he finally flops onto his back, gasping and tired, his eyes clenched tight with relief. ]
...whew... thank you...