Morning all. We’ve made it to mid week, everyone in tact? Good. I know September has only one less day than August but somehow this month has seemed so short. I feel like I am constantly behind. But I’m sure the feeling will fade. With luck anyway. For now, there is the morning prompt. Ready? Fabulous, let’s go.
I kind of want to set the time for another fifteen to see exactly where this story is going. I might do that at lunch. Today’s lunch is just me slapping together a quick sandwich so there should be time.
Wednesday, September 18th: The river got deep fast.
The river got deep fast. What looked like an easy to cross expanses suddenly became a lot more treacherous. The edge was shallow and remained so for the first six or so feet of the wide expanse. When deciding to cross it seemed an easy way to get to the other side ass well as to erase our scent trail in case there were dogs following.
Encouraged by the first few to venture into the water, the rest of us followed. We could already hear pursuit and the baying of dogs and all of us knew, treacherous or not, there was no other real option. Into the water we went.
The shallows did not last long and an abrupt shelf suddenly dropped the river bottom by several feet. The others were taller than me and the water suddenly came up to their waists. They plowed ahead with grim determination. On me the water reached my shoulders. I kept my head above water, but just. I had to watch for any holes or dips in the riverbed. I held back from the others a short way, my progress slower due to my care and the fact that I was watching them move so I could figure out where the deeper parts were.
Thankfully the water was slow moving or we all would have been lost.
The others either didn’t notice or didn’t care that I was lagging. While I was fit and much of our escape happened over rocky terrain, of which I was well accustomed, my shorter stature hadn’t slowed down the group. My ability to keep up earned me a measure of acceptance, but I wasn’t one of them and if I could not keep up then I would be left behind.
On the shore I heard the arrival of pursuit. I was in the deepest part of the river now. There were yells and splashes as projectiles hit the water. Several landed near me and I instinctively ducked. I went under the water. I could swim but I knew most couldn’t and it wouldn’t be a skill expected of me. I could feel the current tugging at my feet. It was low down, steady and strong. I could fight it or I could use it.
My head bobbed back to the surface and another volley of shots landed, this time, close enough that they barely missed. I took a deep breathe, let myself go under and went loose. The current eagerly snatched me away as soon as I stopped fighting it. I was swept down river. I hoped they thought me dead. I couldn’t risk looking. Corpses don’t generally look around to see who noticed their death.
I held my breath for as long as I could and hoped the current carried me out of range. I felt the water get cooler and I risked a glance upward. I was around the bend now and the trees were thick here, leaning over the water and causing patches of dense shade. I slowly turned, facing upward, letting my still limp body look as though it was floating rather than me shifting position. Those on shore were still focused on the others trying to get across the river. There was blood in the water but now the others were scrambling to the other side and moving off to flee.
The shooters were called off and some headed up the bank in the opposite direction from me, making for the bridge to follow. They took the dogs. Others, the taller ones waded into the water and followed they across, their weapons held high above their heads. My only means of escape was to continue down the river and look for another path of escape. Those who were with me, would have to survive on their own.
Ten til Midnight 