Chapter 13 - Page 176 - Tunnel Vision

Blood covered the boy’s face and chest. He looked dead. A nurse had climbed onto the rock and was checking his vital signs.

   “Nurse?” asked Jim, still in the water, gripping the rock to keep his head above water.

   The nurse turned to look at Jim. Tears were in her eyes. All she could do was shake her head. Jim burst into tears and fell back into the water. The water was too deep for Jim to stand, so he clung to the rock with his fingers. He closed his eyes and said a silent prayer.

   Jim’s resolve grew. Stern faced, he climbed onto the rock. When Rhasha attempted to join him, he asked her to stay in the water. Not a tear was in his eyes. He demanded that everyone, including the boy’s parents, go to shore.

   No one moved.

   Jim squatted next to the boy and lifted his upper body in his arms, holding him tight against his chest. The boy’s face and chest were covered in blood. A stream of blood ran across the rock. Jim’s left cheek was smeared with blood, and his shirt dripped red. He laid the boy’s lifeless body on the rock and stood up. Jim was numb. It was as if his heart had turned cold. He scowled. He demanded again in a loud voice, “Everyone go to shore. Now!”

   They stared in shock, unable to understand his zombie-like appearance. No one did as he demanded.