The water rushed past the boat pushing
and pulling it along. Mack clung to the seat praying to survive. He
glanced over to his right and saw Sal was still there, glassy eyed
and a bit green. He looked to his left and Evan wasn't much better.
“Just hold on. It has to end soon.”
Mack yelled hoping they could hear him over the thunder of the
rapids.
The front of the boat dipped low under
the white capped wave, sloshing water in but not enough to panic
over. At least not right away. Mack held his breath as the boat
heaved again, certain they would be dumped this time. He closed his
eyes and prayed, vowing his undying devotion to any entity that would
save them. The boat leveled out and Mack expelled his breath as
relief flooded over him. Calmly he opened his eyes and screamed.
The water was quiet and gentle as it flowed over the edge. He looked
for a paddle, stick, anything but there was nothing. His eyes met
Sal's then Evan's. Each had the same look. This was it.
The boat jutted out over and for a
moment they all admired the amazing view of the surrounding valley.
The lush greenery, the towering trees, the fragrant flowers blooming
in every color imaginable, the snow capped mountains, and far off the
faint scent of the salty ocean air. Home, that's what he thought of
as the boat ever so slowly tipped until they were looking straight
down into a lake far below. He screamed. He couldn't help it. He
had no control at all. Home, if only he could see it once more. If
only.
