TKC 25
The second boat joins us. The two men also successfully
negotiated the currents. Together, we retrieve as many flood victims as we are
able to without overloading our vessels. We then ferry them to the outcrop where
I first met Damin. It is relative high out of the water still.
On the second delivery I leave the boat also. This way there
is space for another and I am able to create some order in the chaos on land. It
is chaos indeed. Everyone is wet and cold. The children cry and mothers are
wide-eyed silent. Men rush about. Many shout across the dark waters, each
hoping for an answering call.
Many have drowned this night.
How dare Normur’s city fathers call themselves civilised?
When Damin returns with another load of survivors, he leaves
the boat as well, and another man takes his place. Together we survey the
desperation all around us.
“This is wrong,” I murmur. “I understand now why you stayed.”
Damin sighs then and his arms enfold me, holding me close. I
allow it, for I need the comfort and the warmth and I suspect he does too. I make
smoothing motions on his back, marvelling at the lean muscle my fingers
encounter. We draw apart and I know Damin will kiss me. I want him to.
It is not to be.
A scream tears through the night, this one far more intense
than any of the wails we have heard thus far.
We move apart and run towards the sound.
A woman gesticulates wildly near the edge of the outcrop and
already many surround her. Looking ahead, we see the grey light of dawn to the
east … and a churning wall of black water on swift approach.
“The dam upriver has burst,” Damin breathes.
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