Below the Surface

Below the Surface — page 7 — cloud of silt and there I grab something way too smooth and light to be a stone It's round and flat and fits in my palm The air is starting to burn in my lungs and my mouth wants to fly open I shove the weird object into my bag and kick for the surface The current carries me a little farther as I swim for the riverbank A guy fishing on the bank waves Nice day to be on the river eh Always Hey want some weights I grab the handful of lead weights tangled in fishing line out of my bag These are in good shape Thanks He touches the brim of his hat which has brightly colored lures stuck into it Have a good one With a wave goodbye I climb the bank using bushes to haul myself up The path that follows the river is mostly empty As I head back toward the bridge water sloshes from 6

Below the Surface — page 8 — my swim shorts and shoes There's a trail of dark gravel behind me It looks like a river monster decided to go for a walk I dig into my mesh bag for the mystery item Out of the water it's very cold I pull it out and am surprised to see a watch It looks like the pocket watches old timey people on TV have My mom's obsessed with those shows One side has a design etched into the metal and the other side is plain There's a button on the top but it won't budge There must be silt stuck in it No matter how hard I push or pull I can't get it open Theo My body jerks in surprise and I drop the watch 7

Below the Surface — page 9 — Chapter Two The watch bounces toward the bushes and the steep incline but I grab it before it can disappear Clutching the watch to my chest I turn to face the person who shouted Thankfully it's not my mom yelling at me for going swimming in the river alone It's just Syd Her wild blond hair and freckles stand out in the summer sun She's wearing a faded black band 8

Below the Surface — page 10 — T shirt and jeans cut off at the knees Four years ago she decided we were going to be best friends Who was I to argue with that I hope she never changes her mind Want some lunch She lifts a paper bag and I see the logo for the local café on the side My stomach rumbles loudly I guess swimming and climbing for two hours works up an appetite Syd drops onto a bench while I run to get my backpack I keep it stashed in the bushes under the bridge while I'm in the river It's got my shirt water bottle sunscreen and house key As I sit down next to Syd she hands me a fresh sandwich wrapped in wax paper I barely manage to say Thanks before I sink my teeth into it and mustard and mayo splurt everywhere The Creekside Café seriously has the best sandwiches in town Find anything good Syd asks as she unwraps her own sandwich 9

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