The Creek, G.E.Wenner [100 best novels of all time .TXT] 📗

The rain is just letting up as Mother summons me from the living room. She asks me to fetch my brother from outside, for it is dinner time. I am apprehensive as I step out onto the walk, the warmth from the fire already leaving my body.

I step out the door, glance up the drive, then to the creek where my brother usually plays. I call his name and I listen, hearing nothing but the sound of the creek in return. Once more I call his name, becoming mildly frustrated, for the thought of the walk through the soggy grass down to the water is one of great distaste.

Again hearing nothing, I make my way warily to the creek. As I near, I notice with some apprehension the level to which the water has risen in last few days. I don’t see my brother, as I call his name again.

With no answer, I begin searching for the stepping stones we use to cross to the other side. There are a series of small caves that we have played in from time to time, and I become sure my overly curious brother has made his way to them.

I finally find the stones, barely visible now; they have become rapids in the water. I glance around for another way to cross, though my years spent at the water’s edge has always shown no other way.
I take one tentative step onto the first rock, searching for the next. I hop across, first one, then the second and third. My foot just makes contact with the fourth rock when I slip, my front foot twisting into the rushing water. I begin to fall, when I find a grip and make it to the fifth, and final stone. I fall to the ground on the other side of the creek, my ankle beginning to throb.

Looking around, I call my bothers name again, to no avail. The mouth of the cave is near to my right now, so I get up and slowly make my way to the stillness inside. Just stepping in a few meters, I find the temperature drop several degrees, the air becoming dank and cool.

I walk a distance before I find footprints in the soft ground. Hoping these are my brothers, I begin to follow them. They lead to a three way split in the wall, and, praying I see correctly in the darkness, I head into the farthest one to my right.

I see a meek light up ahead and I call his name once more. With still no response, I make my way forward. I come out into a large, almost circular room, with a hole in the ceiling. Rain pours in, having picked up outside once again.

I look around the room, my eyes falling suddenly on a small, crumbled form on the ground. I take in the scene, bile rising in my throat. I see the large rock, the pool of dark liquid on the dirt. I call out his name, knowing he wont respond as I rush to his side. Holding his head in my lap, he looks up at me with weak eyes, and I hold him as that light leaves.
Sobbing, I begin to stand as I hear the rumble. Looking around, I see a couple small rocks fall from the ceiling, opening the hole further. Then the door follows suit. I make my way to the exit when the walls begin to fall as well. I rush back to try to bring my brothers body with me, reaching him as the exit fully collapses.

I have no idea what to do, rushing back toward the entrance, hoping I can find a way. The walls are caving in. I look up to the sky, tears mixing with the rain falling on my face, as the ceiling falls at last.

Mother makes her way to the doorway, steps out, and calls the names of her two children, hearing in return only the rushing of water in the creek.

Publication Date: 12-07-2010

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