17

DAD SAVES THE DAY

Hey, Dad?

Don’t freak out but I’m alone by the river and it’s not looking good. The rain stopped but it’s getting darker and the current looks strong. We’ve had too much rain. I can’t get across.

Something thick and wet lies against the bottom of the willow tree. Reaching down, I pick up heavy fabric. My fingers recognise the shape of my ninja turtle costume. Oh, no! Ana must’ve taken it off. But why would she change her clothes? Looking at the river raging around the Three Wise Men, I have a terrible thought.

Did she go swimming?

Dad, please don’t freak out. According to keepsafekids.com panic only causes confusion and clouds the mind, leading to an increased chance of … Okay, WHERE is she? Already in the water?

My body grows heavy like I’m sinking into the dirt, and hot sensations flood through my chest as I run towards the river’s edge, shouting, ‘Where are you? ANA!’

No answer.

Water runs over rocks, night birds shriek in the trees, and then a small voice calls, ‘Help! Lucas!’

I didn’t realise I was holding my breath, but now I’m gasping for air. Ana’s alive. But where is she?

Under the trees, the branches cast long shadows and I can’t see across the river. Reaching into my backpack, I pull out my torch, stabbing the button with my thumb. A circle of light appears across the water but it’s too faint, floating in the air like a dying moon.

‘Lucas!’

‘Ana,’ I splutter, following her calls, my feet slipping in the mud. The river roars as I grow closer, water bubbling over the boulders. The current creeps past the banks, inching towards the public pathway. The fallen tōtara branch pokes through the water and — yes! A small shadow clings to the thick bark, just visible, her back arched like a terrified cat. Aiming my torchlight, I catch a glimpse of Ana holding onto clumps of leaves, but her legs dangle in the river. Water rages around her, foaming and spitting, trying to pull her in. She’s holding on for her life.

‘Hang on, Ana!’

She doesn’t look at me.

Dad, I’ve asked for a few miracles in my time. But forget Ellie’s bad moods and keeping my school open. I need you to make Constable Curtin magically appear because Ana’s about to drown and there’s no one here to save her. No one but me.

What can I do?

Splashing into the water, I freeze before it passes my ankles. What am I doing? Should I go for help?

Dad, if you’re wondering about keepsafekids.com’s tips for water safety, don’t bother. They’re quite unhelpful. There’s tons of advice about swimming with adults, wearing inflatable devices and staying between the flags. I would like to point out to the website writers that there’s no flags on a flooded river and definitely no lifeguards. It only said one thing about rural rivers — stay away from them, especially during floods because currents can be unpredictable.

Like I said, not helpful.

‘Alex! Mum!’ cries Ana again, her voice almost crushed under the river’s roar. Then she turns, seeing me on the bank and shouts, ‘Home now! Home now, please!’

Oh, wow.

There’s no time to rush for help and I can’t leave her. She could be under water before I get back. But, at the same time, the river looks too deep around that branch, I’ll never reach her.

Dad … seriously? I need a miracle. You’re supposed to help me. But you’re not here.

Again, something hot runs through me, like boiling water, and I’m shouting at the sky, ‘Come on, Dad! You’re totally useless. You NEVER help with anything and that’s your job! You’re supposed to be my father!’

I know he’s dead, I’m expecting too much. But I’m furious and there’s no time for being sensible or even arguing, so I decide to run for help. Sprinting back across the riverbank, my torchlight searches the ground for roots so I won’t trip — oh, yuck! Something wet and long slaps my face.

Pointing my torch up, I’m staring at Dad’s swing rope hanging from the branches of a willow tree. What good is that? It’s not long enough to get me across, not when the river’s flooded. Except … it doesn’t need to stretch that far. I just need to reach Ana. If she holds one end, I could pull her to the shore.

Dad!

I’m sorry. You saved the day, after all.