Chapter 10 - Page 138 - Rhasha Drives

Some distance from the shoreline, tall trees rose from a tangle of undergrowth toward the sky. Clouds were still in the sky, but the storm had long since passed. Grass carpeted the edge of the pool, kept short by grazing animals.

    Jim and Rhasha laid their blankets far enough away from the falls that the noise wasn’t overwhelming. The grass made a springy cushion underneath the blankets, but it was still wet from the rain and the blankets soon became soaked with water. Jim noticed that the sun was about to come out from behind the clouds, so he suggested they unload the jeep, then go for a swim.

    They walked into the pool where it was shallow and didn’t stop until the water was chest high. Rhasha was in a playful mood. She seemed to get a lot of pleasure from cupping her hands and splashing Jim in the face. After she splashed him several times, Jim picked her up and dumped her over his shoulder. He threw her high enough into the air that Rhasha made a big splash when she hit the water. She sank like a rock to the bottom of the pool and remained underwater for a long time.

    Jim watched for her head to surface, but it didn't. She had been underwater long enough that he got worried. He dove to the bottom of the pool to pull her out, and saw her motionless body lying at the bottom of the pool. A large rock lay a few inches from her head. Her eyes were closed. She lay face up, with her arms straight out to each side and her knees bent so her feet were under her body. Frantic, Jim reached for her arm to pull her out.