Water, think about the dangerous water.
Right.
“The next rapids is a longer run and a bit more dangerous. Does everyone remember what to do if you fall out? Grab the raft if you can or a paddle. Do not panic, panic and water are toxic bedfellows.”
The roar of the rapids gets closer. Adrenaline jumps in my blood. Almost there.
“Keep your feet up, your head out of the water, and remain aware of what’s coming ahead of you. Stay on your back, facing the river, use your arms to helpguide you, and maneuver yourself to the raft or the shore. I will come for you. Are you ready? Too bad, here we go. Forward paddle!”
Kevin lets out a groan, but I hear someone laugh, and I think it might be Nathan.
I grin wildly, looking ahead, tracking our path.
“Right.”
The nose of the raft swings right.
“Stop!”
Paddles lift from the water.
“Get down.”
Everyone slides into the middle of the boat, scrunching down. We go down the first one like textbook. The canyon walls open up, revealing thick forest and rocky banks.
Two more drops and then, suddenly, and unexpectedly, we swing the wrong way. We’re heading straight for a rock.
“Right!” I shout, but it’s too late. The boat goes up almost vertically before it topples backwards, and we’re all dumped out into the water.
It’s cold, and the current surprises me with how quickly it snatches me up.
“Legs up!” I scream. “Stay calm.”
I drop into the next rapid, bopping in the water. The raft is up ahead, and as soon as I see it, I maneuver over to it. I grab it and pull myself up, searching. Nathan and Rojer are on the far bank. While the Prince pack appears to be making their way to me.
My ears are ringing, but it soon stops as I force myself to stop and take stock. Nothing broken or injured. I’m fine. I turn and find Quincy helping Kendall out of the water. Justin is a few feet away from them.
Just one missing. Where is he?
I see a pack floating in the water and take two steps before I pause, seeing a random life vest. There is no one in it. What the fuck? The packs are loose, and Kevin isn’t in his life vest?
Shit!
I turn around, frantically searching, and spot Kevin going under just as he gets to the next rapids.
“Bonnie!” Vale shouts.
I glance at him as I drag my life vest over my head and dump it on the raft, then I run and launch myself into the deepest, fastest current in the river.
It snatches me quickly, and I don’t fight it, letting it carry me down the rapids. As soon as I’m down, I roll onto my stomach and swim as fast as I can. He’s in the shallows, laying on his side. I grab him and pull him out of the water.
“Please, please.”
I check his pulse. He’s alive and breathing. I carefully check him all over, but there’s only a lump on his forehead that explains why he’s unconscious.
How did his vest come off?
I checked them all; did he undo it?
