Free Ancient Echoes by Joanne Pence Page B

Ahead, dead trees that had swept downstream were wedged between
boulders, their roots and branches reaching out over the water. The debris
split the creek in two.
    “Lean left,” Big Kyle shouted. “Left, left, left!” The raft
buckled and swerved uncontrollably, then plunged through a clear chute of
water, zipping unscathed by the tentacle-like brush. Nervous laughter rippled
through the raft as everyone took deep breaths once more.
    The creek widened and a beam of sunlight found its way
through the pines to brighten a stretch of lavender covered banks. In the
distance, craggy mountaintops touched a clear blue sky.
    Melisse turned to look back. The other raft followed
peacefully behind them.
    Only after they drifted awhile did she begin to relax. She
didn't trust these men, but so far, they hadn't lied. Ninety minutes, Big Kyle
had said. She checked her watch. Only twenty minutes had passed.
    The sheltered creek forked, and the raft floated onto a much
wider body of water. She looked around, and then sat bolt upright. The banks
were far apart, and the water cold, deep, and fast. “We’re on the Salmon!” she
shouted, her voice tight, harsh.
    “Just for a little while, lovely lady.” Big Kyle gave her a broad smile and wink. “Then we turn off and paddle upstream
to your pillars. Don't you worry none, sweetie. I won't let anything happen to
you.”
    Melisse ignored him.
    They entered a gorge. Sheer rock rose steeply above the
river on both sides. Far overhead whitish gray lichen and eddy moss marked how
high the water rose in spring when snow run-off reached its peak. Even though
it was fall, the frigid water remained deep and treacherous. They could do
nothing but hold on and hope they weren’t tossed overboard.
    The black granite walls of the gorge continued to narrow as
the river carved its lonely course. The sun no longer reached them. No one
spoke and Big Kyle's eyes took on a strange glint.
    Melisse searched the banks for a safe landing point, but
found none. The air had something different about it. Something
that chilled her to the bone.
    A strong current caught hold of the raft and carried it
forward ever faster. The sound of thunder rumbled up ahead, but instead of
stopping, the oddly familiar sound continued. Melisse looked downstream and saw
nothing. Then she realized what she heard.
    They were heading straight toward a waterfall.
    “Beach this raft!” Melisse ordered.
    Big Kyle glanced fiercely at her. “Where?”
    The raft sped up. As the students realized what was
happening, their screams mixed with Big Kyle’s laughter as the raft plowed over
the edge.
    Half its length froze in mid-air before it tilted and
nose-dived several feet into a hollow curve of water. A sheet of freezing water
broke over them.
    The raft didn’t flip, but shot straight ahead. The river
turned, but the raft headed toward the rocky canyon walls. The terrified
rafters tried to paddle away from the deadly rock. Even Big Kyle’s laughter
ceased as his arms and shoulders bunched and strained to maneuver the raft
sideways. They missed the granite by mere inches.
    The river angled steeply downward. Its path cut one sharp
curve after the other through the empty wilderness, causing the raft to buck,
shimmy, and pick up more speed. Waves violently rocked them and showered them
with spray. Kyle shouted orders, but the students were too petrified to do
anything but hold on as the raft careened forward like
a thing possessed.
    Vertical granite faces lined the river banks. No safe
landing existed.
    Melisse peered over her shoulder. She no longer saw the
other raft.
    Around a bend, the river formed an eddy shaped like a huge,
spinning bowl. Unable to avoid it, they pitched headlong into the abyss. The
raft shot straight across to the wall of water on the far side. Its bow rose
vertically up the side of the bowl, and then flipped upside down.
    Melisse sank deep. Despite the life jacket, the ice cold
water seemed determined to hold her