“We don’t usually have so many untrained people with us. Thought it might come in handy.”
What kind of superstitions did this place have?
Chapter 3:
Isetupmysleeping space with a hammock, claiming an area that had the sage from the border growing like a thick blanket between two sturdy trees. Whatever herb it was would probably keep the mosquitos, already eating some of the other students, off me. Also if someone thought this place needed sage, it seemed like the best place to be.
Plus it was in a corner away from where most of the students decided to set up, and gave me a nice view of the road leading out of the swamp. The road dead ended to my left, into a giant lake of water that told me the rest of the road had already flooded out.
A tall mud cliff blocked most of our left side, but studying how high it stood made me realize exactly how steep the slope coming in here was. Gale passed by me and noticed my preoccupation. “Don’t worry about a mud slide. That landmark has been here for centuries.”
“What about flooding?” I said. The road that went through the swamp was already gone on one side. How much rain would it take for the rest to go?
“We’ll move if we have to.” Gale smiled at me. “You worry too much.”
“You don’t worry enough.”
He laughed dismissively and kept walking, obviously not in the mood to listen to my valid concerns. He usually wasn’t.
How did he even get this job?
The familiar righteousness of Shannon’s voice made me glance across the way, to find her finger in two of the men’s faces. They laughed loudly, before continuing around her to go deeper into the swamp.
Shannon stomped over to me with rage lining her delicate face. No wonder they didn’t take her seriously. She looked like a new doll; ‘Shannon goes to the Swamp’.
“They are already starting their project.” Her eyes went wide. “They are going to ruin our pristine environment with their cheap cologne and ignorance.”
“They’re probably trying to get out of here as quickly as possible. It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” I reminded her.
“I understand you’re writing your thesis based on this trip.” She narrowed her eyes on me.
“Yes.” Although I wasn’t sure where she heard that from. The only person I’d told was Professor Gale.
“So am I. Let’s move!” She clapped her hands. “We aren’t being beat out by idiots that would see the world burn, as long as they get their business deal.”
I grabbed my rucksack, securing it on my shoulders.
I’d already been dressed for the occasion when I got on the bus. I noted where, off in the distance, those men were wearing khaki shorts, flip flops, and tank tops. They’d be wishing for our waterproof boots and long sleeves sooner rather than later.
“I made a call to some ecologists I’ve worked with and they recommended a coordinate with lots of goodies for us.” She didn’t spare me a glance as she turned on her heel. “Includinga nest of Flatwood salamanders that I expect you to thoroughly document.”
An endangered species would absolutely help us.
I let her take the lead as she followed a GPS device.
As we waded through the swamp pools, the water slowly rose from our ankles until it was to our chest.
Forgotten nightmares of my head being held underwater made my breathing hitch.
It’s not real. Shake it off.
I kept my eyes locked on the back of Shannon’s bun, letting myself enjoy the way her curls were already expanding, as I took deep breaths to hold the irrational panic at bay.
You never drowned. You’re fine.
I couldn’t tell if the sweat dripping down me was from my useless episode or if it was so humid that even the water couldn’t cool me off.
She grumbled ahead of me, ruthlessly cussing herself out for letting those boys make her reckless. I didn’t feel the need to agree, considering I also hadn’t thought about how deep the water could get. Now there was no quick way out. We’d just have to trudge through.
