The water felt like concrete as the pair smashed through the surface. Lexi's estimate of twenty-feet was optimistic at best! As the pair fought for air the struggle became real. Their movements slowed as the freezing water caused the blood vessels in their skin to close, reducing blood flow around their bodies. Ryan felt his heart pounding and he knew they had to get out fast. Ahead he saw a bridge.
"Lexi. Swim hard. The bridge up ahead. We can get out of there and find out where the hell we are. He grabbed her by the collar and headed towards the river bank. After several minutes of relentless struggle against the current, Ryan felt a firm footing below. He pumped his legs and with every last ounce of energy he hauled himself and Lexi onto the rocks.
An early morning jogger, lost in her music, glanced at the pair briefly and continued on past. Ryan looked at the bridge. George Washington Bridge! "Hey Lex, I know where we are! That's George Washington Bridge. Which means this is the Hudson River. Falconi's place must be south of the Tappan Zee Bridge 'cos I didn't see anything else as we were swimming. The current must've carried us quite a way though. Do you think we can make it to your dad's place from here?"
Lexi looked around aimlessly. She tried to speak but all she did was mumble through her shivering lips. Ryan recognised the symptoms. She was suffering from hypothermia. He had to get her moving and get her warm.
"Lex. We need to get you out of those wet clothes and dry. Come here."
Ryan stripped to his boxers and removed Lexi's T-shirt and joggers. He awkwardly embraced her and together they held on tightly. They both fell into a deep sleep as the battle against the river took it's toll.
Several hours passed before a young boy came across the pair. Ryan jumped up in a state of shock and panic. He stared at the boy who was no more than 10 years old. "Hey! What you two doing? This is our fishing spot! Dad said it's always been our fishing spot. You shouldn't be here! Dad'll get mad."
Ryan stood up and slowly with his arms spread out. Lexi covered her chest with her damp shirt and carefully walked towards the boy. As she opened her mouth to speak she saw the boy's father storming across to them.
"Get away from my son you goddamned pervert. I'm calling 911!"
"Please sir, I mean no harm. We just want some dry clothes and to get the hell out of here."
Ignoring her pleas, he looked beyond her towards the second figure. His face dropped as he caught sight of Ryan. The river has washed most of the iodine away and Ryan cut a ghoulish silhouette.
The man dropped his fishing rods, grabbed the boy and ran. Ryan heard the police sirens ringing out and looked around frantically.
"Ryan, this way. We gotta hide."
They watched from the safety of the bushes as the two police officers searched the shoreline to no avail. After twenty minutes, the two walked back to their squad car.
Lexi turned to Ryan. "If we walk, we're about two hours max from dad's place up at North Riverdale. Gonna be tricky getting there whilst it's still light. I say we lie low and get going when the sun goes down." She ran back to the shore, grabbed their almost dry clothes and returned to Ryan. The pair got dressed and waited for nightfall.
YOU ARE READING
The Ghost
Science FictionA cure to save millions. Or a tool to create devastation. If only Junior Researcher Ryan Elliot could have known what dangers he would place all of those around him in upon revealing his big breakthrough, maybe he'd have thought twice about it. But...
