Night Swamp

The smell of swamp stuck in her nostrils; the dank dour atmosphere made her want to retch as she waded through frigid water. She knew a leech had found a way to skin she'd felt it move; now her leg was numb. Her shoes dragged mud pulling her back with every stride. The suction slowed her body, the slurp and slap disturbed her mind.

Could they hear and smell her? She hoped darkness disguised her amongst the trees and bushes. Vegetation intermingled with water, sharp claws caught hold of her and she gasped thinking she'd been found. Her breath released in relief when she realized it was plant rather than animal. No moon or stars showed, it was a black night. She was moving by feel, her ears attuned to the channels of noise. Birds fidgeted in lodgings above, frogs chorused an evening song and cicadas barraged her ears with a constant rattle and creak.

She listened, to catch the telltale plop into the water, swish of a large tail propelling a body. The thought made her clamp her lips. The water wasn't high, was it enough? Probably. Inside her head she was screaming a traumatic cry of fear and anguish. It blasted through her so loud she thought she yelled out. She listened, hoping she hadn't.

They hunted at night. Here she was calling to them, fresh meat wandering through their backyard. Few took humans but then humans didn't frequent their smorgasbord at dinner time. She cringed and gulped in air to try and assuage her terror. She could go closer to vegetation but that is where they hid, to sit on higher ground waiting for prey to pass.

The telltale plop caused her to scream. She didn't know from where the alligator dropped. It heard her. The swish of moving water whispered into her ears and she singled in on it. Her heart cried and her legs were weak.

She heard yells, she hollered. A light flashed, an engine erupted. A constant swish, a splash and then a whoosh as it came close and sunk into the water. She was illuminated and threw her arms up before her eyes. She fought to see through the yellow specks that dotted her way.

Her ears prickled listening for the swing of a tail. Catching calls she responded, swinging her hips through the mire. She heard it, the swish and swoosh as it sunk. It dove. Her arms swung quicker, her thighs cut through fluid. The stench of fear covered her, perspiring torment from every pore as she fought to survive.

She felt something and screamed; a high pitched cry cutting through her.

Two strong hands were pulling her through the air with the rapidity of flying. She plopped onto metal, wobbling and fell to the floor. The engine blasted. The boat spun, spraying water, reviving her, taking away the dread. Her heart beat steadied, arms held her. A kiss caressed her skin, darkness took over.