I'll Keep My Secret Close

The River

Jumping into James's truck Iris buckles up and waits impatiently for James to get into the drivers side.

"OK, so where is this boy again?"

"I already told you he's in the River." Iris says angrily.

"If you say so Sparky."

She just rolls her eyes and points out the path to where the boy was. She couldn't explain it but it was like she just knew where to go. This is crazy she thought as they jerked to a stop. What if she was wrong. What if the doctor was right and she was just crazy? They would probably send her to a mental hospital or something...but what if she was right what if the boy really was out there alone and hungry. She had made up my mind. She had to check. climbing out of the truck She ran along the bank to the dock. James keeps up well and they reach it in no time. Finding her stepdads boat she unties it and sends the engine roaring to life with a single pull. Normally it would have taken her at least three tries she absently thinks. It must be the adrenaline.

"Come on! He's running out of time." She says annoyed that James wasn't taking this as seriously as she was.

"OK. OK. Calm down I'm sure he'll still be there when we get there." He says mockingly.

Instead of wasting time arguing she guns the engine. Half a second later they are flying down the River. Iris wasn't sure exactly how long they had been on the River but she suddenly felt like they needed to slow down, like now.

"Stop the boat!" As James brought the boat to a stop she turns looking up and down the River bank. "There." she says pointing to a small opening just big enough for a small boat to fit through. A very small boat that is.

"Are you kidding me? There is no way we'll fit through there."

"Please James."

"No."

"But..."

"NO."

"At least let me get a closer look at the bank. Please."

"Fine."

Reluctantly James turns the boat to the bank Iris had pointed at. When they were close enough Iris jumped out of the boat and landed somewhat clumsily on the bank. Without a second thought she sets off at a brisk jog keeping a close eye out for any signs of the boy in the water. Faintly she hears James yelling her name but she ignores him easily and keeps going. She slows only once she sees the boat. Or rather what was left of the boat. The motor had been ripped off and the back was slowly sinking. She was surprised that it was still floating at all. She didn't see the boy at first but as she looked closer she realized he was hidden under a thin boat cover. She quickly assessed her situation. The boat was to far for her to pull it back to the bank and the boy didn't seem to be moving.

"Hey, are you OK?"

....No reply.

"HEY!? Are you OK? Can you hear me?"

This time the little body shook slightly but again there was no reply. He was alive, but he wasn't answering. She didn't know why he wasn't answering but she didn't have time to find out. Instead Iris took a few steps back and then jumped.