Native Land

            Just as Richard reaches the water’s edge, the large snout of a gigantic alligator emerges from the water behind his beloved wife; its lethal jaws are open wide. In an instant of sheer terror for both Catherine and Richard they snap shut, ripping Catherine from her muddy prison.

            Richard doesn’t know whether the teeth have closed down on his wife’s flesh or just on her dress. But as he sees her being dragged away, like a madman, Richard lunges for his wife. With one hand, he pulls on her arm with everything he has. With his other, he smashes at the head of the alligator with the tire iron.

            Eyes trancelike, Catherine closes her hand around Richard’s arm. Breathless, Richard hollers “Hang on, Catherine. Please! Don’t let go!” Then, with all his might Richard valiantly drags his wife from the water, throwing the tire iron onto the shore in order to get a better grip. With superhuman strength, Richard drags his wife and himself, literally from the jaws of death, to the safety of the boulder before he dares look back.

            With remnants of Catherine’s skirt still in its mouth, the alligator melts into the inky blackness. Suddenly, Catherine’s vision is obliterated by a bright fog. She strains to keep her eyes on Richard, but all goes white again. And for the first time since the accident, Catherine’s face contorts in pain. She can barely whisper. “Richard, come back. Please don’t leave me...”                      Collapsed in each other’s arms, Richard holds his wife close. He struggles to catch his breath while she struggles to maintain consciousness. Straining to protect his wife, he covers her with his jacket and once again clutches the tire iron. He looks down at his delicate flower and sees that she is breathing, but for a long while, lies motionless