Year 3004
 |
| Image: All Rights Reserved, |
| Brighton : Book Guild Pub. |
| c2011 |
It wasn’t until they reached the bridge that is become apparent that there was a shield over this too and it was impossible to use the bridge to get across the river. Kayleb watched the swirling water flow freely through the arches of the bridge and he wondered how this could be. The river at this point was very wide and the water seemed to be deep. The current was extremely strong and Kayleb knew that the only way to continue their journey was to cross the river or walk around the settlement and the deserted city, adding hours to their journey. Kayleb wasn’t sure what they should do. David could be coming along the other side of the river at any moment, and he did not want to miss him if they had to take a diversion.
Rowan looked at the rippling water in awe. He thought that he might have a chance of swimming across but Kayleb, Cornwall and Indigo would not be strong enough swimmers. Rowan looked back down the river. He knew that they should go and tell David and the others that the village had some sort of plague but his overwhelming conviction was that they should continue on to London as they were, just the four of them.
‘I could try and swim across and see what the current is like,’ suggested Rowan. He saw the horrified look on everyone’s faces. ‘I don’t think it is bad as it looks,’ Rowan continued.
Kayleb shook his head. ‘You would probably drown, Rowan. The current is too strong and I don’t think Cornwall can swim.’
‘I can!’ replied Cornwall defensively. ‘But not that well’, she added.
The dog looked at the water eagerly, his long fur rippling in the breeze. He edged closer to the water’s edge and, before Kayleb could stop him, he leapt off the riverbank and plunged into the river.
Kayleb held his breath as he watched the dog paddle furiously, the swirling water buffeted the dog against the bridge’s shield. A couple of times the dog’s head disappeared below the surface of the river but the dog steadily worked his way across and then finally made it to the other side. Kayleb exhaled with relief.
‘Oh … that was close. I thought he was dead as a rhino then,’ exclaimed Kayleb.
The dog barked at them, encouraging them to join him. He shook the water from his fur and ran up and down the opposite riverbank, barking frantically.
‘I don’t think we can get across the river,’ said Indigo.
‘There is another crossing point.’
Kayleb, Rowan and Cornwall spun round to see a tall man approaching them. He had long dark hair and a short beard. He wore a clean white shirt and a black waistcoat. His face was scarred but he had a warm smile and Kayleb did not feel alarmed as he did not look like a ragged waster. The stranger’s manner wasn’t threatening in any way.
Rowan looked at the man anxiously. He did not want to get captured again. Panic shook his body and he felt he had to flee. The river was his only escape route. He threw himself into the river. The water was icy cold and took his breath away.
…
Kayleb, Cornwall and Indigo watched on in disbelief. They all looked at each other in despair. How could Rowan have been so stupid? He had seen the dog struggle to get across the river and it was a miracle that he had made it at all.
Extract from the book 3004
By Natasha Murray
All Rights Reserved.
Brighton : Book Guild Pub., 2011
Call No.: Y English MUR
Extract contributed by Kweh Soon Huat, Librarian, Public Library Services
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