Chapter 12 - The Rushing Current
Gunfire erupted from the riverbank. Bullets splashed violently into the icy water all around them, sending spray into the air.
Clara plunged forward, using her body as a human shield to protect Leo on her back. She lost her footing on a smooth river stone, and the powerful current swept them off their feet, pulling them down into the roaring white water.
"Clara!" Leo screamed as they were dragged under the surface.
Clara fought desperately against the churning water, kicking her legs and reaching out blindly until her fingers caught a heavy, submerged tree branch rooted into the far riverbank. With every ounce of strength remaining in her body, she hauled herself and Leo out of the freezing torrent, collapsing onto the muddy shore on the far side.
The gunshots were distant now, muffled by the roaring noise of the rapids. The gunmen were stranded on the opposite bank, unable to cross the dangerous whitewaters on foot.
Panting heavily and shivering uncontrollably, Clara pulled Leo into a tight embrace. The boy was soaking wet and trembling violently, but he was uninjured.
"We made it..." Clara gasped, her teeth knocking together from hypothermia. "We made it, Leo."
She looked up through the dark trees. Half a mile away, shining through the dense forest, were the bright yellow headlights of cars moving along the mountain highway.
Dragging her freezing, heavy body forward, Clara guided Leo through the remaining trees until they stumbled out onto the asphalt shoulder of the quiet two-lane highway.
She stood in the middle of the road, raising her soaking, bloodied arms as an eighteen-wheeler truck roared toward them around the curve. The truck driver slammed on his heavy air brakes, tires screeching against the road, coming to a halt just inches away from them.
The truck driver scrambled out of his cab, shocked by the sight of a bruised woman in a ruined, soaking wedding dress holding a battered young boy.
"Lady! What happened to you?" the driver shouted.
"Please..." Clara collapsed to her knees on the cold pavement, holding Leo close. "Call the police... call the FBI... tell them Richard Sterling is at Pine Creek Cabin..."
As the driver rushed to help them, Clara looked down at Leo. The boy reached into his pocket and pulled out his father's faded old photo, which he had kept safe through the water and terror.
May you like
He smiled weakly up at her. "We beat them, Clara."
Clara smiled through her tears, kissing his forehead before darkness finally consumed her vision.
