SAVANTS
Chapture 8's

Three weeks into the semester and high school proved to be the most pleasant regardless of the strange feelings left from Zed's warning.

What did the boy eat? And what did he think, what did he see? How could it have anything to do with me not coming out after dark? The last thing I need is for a bad boy to take an unhealthy interest in me.

I try to ignore it. Too much other stuff is happening. I had some bad moments with some students teasing me about my accent and my ignorance of American things, but overall they were fine.

Several girls in my IPS class, including cheerleader Sheena - who I personally mark as the Vampire Bride because they prefer blood-red nail polish.

Tina and the others stole my ID for a joke when they heard me complaining to Tina about how bad my picture was.

Unfortunately, the Vamoir agreed with me and dubbed myself 'blonde rabbit' when they saw my photo, which I found more annoying.

Tina suggested that I let it pass, arguing it was more likely to survive if I made a fuss.

So I bit my lips and hid the school swipe card every time.

"Activity is next week, Junior year can choose to go rafting," Nelson told me one Friday afternoon as he drove me home. He's on his way to fix his grandmother's lawn mower. "You're coming"

I scrunched my nose, imagining Robinson Crusoe tying up tree trunks. "Ray sharks, you have to make something or something?" I said.

She laughs. "This isn't an American Boy Scout, Sky. No, I'm talking about the rushing river, the excitement in the Eyrie River. Imagine a rubber boat with room for six or seven people. You have the main man at the wheel in the back, all of us with oars sitting on the side, barely surviving as we dove through the rapids. You should try it if you want to consider yourself a Colorado." Said excited.

Well, high school isn't like sixth grade college, it's amazing. I can see images flashing in my mind right now, as I expertly navigated my way down a frothy river, saving a wounded child/dog/man, the music blaring to incredible heights, weight on the strings, tensed with tension ...

"They have a beginner level?" My toot.

"No, you'll be sent on the hardest road without a life jacket and no guide." Nelson laughed at my expression. "Of course they have, you'll love it."

I can do this, starting small. "OKAY. Do I need a special presentation?"

He shook his head. "No, just wear old clothes. Sky, I don't think you're gonna ask Tina if she wants to join our group?"

My suspicions were immediately alerted "why didn't you ask her yourself?'

"He'll think I'm approaching him."

I smile. "Aren't you...?"

He rubbed the back of his neck in a shy manner. "Yes, but I just don't want him to know yet."

Day rafting trip and the weather looks a little cloudy, the mountains are gray and the breeze is cool. The air was really cold, even some point of rain. I was wearing a thicker hoodie, my favorite with the 'Richmond Rowing Club' on the front which I find funny considering this is not the Thames at all.

The minibus was walking on a dirt track leading to the rafting school. The first gold leaf drifted from the aspen and fell into the river to meet its violent end in the river. I hope it's not a sign of coming.

When we arrived, the rafting school receptionist handed out helmets, waterproof shoes, and life jackets. We then gathered by the river to listen to the briefing given by a fierce-looking man with slightly long black hair.

He has the dramatic profile of a Native American, a broad forehead and eyes that appear thousands of years older than his age. It was a face made to be drawn or, better yet, chiseled.

"It's good that we have Mr. Benedict Zed and Yves' father. He's the best" whispered Tina. "He's really an expert on water." Further.

I couldn't pay attention, my desire to launch myself into the rapids was reduced now, I was actually going to face the turbulent river.

Hearing our muttering conversation, Mr. Benedict looked at us intently and suddenly I saw a colorful aura around him, silvery like the sun on the snowy peak.

No more, I thought, feeling that strange dizziness. I refused to look at the color again - I didn't let it back in. I immediately closed my eyes and gulped to calm myself down.

"Miss," said Mr. Benedict in a soft voice that still managed to muffle the sound of water, "if you will listen, please. I'm running security protocols."

"You okay?" whispered Tina. "You're a little pale" he continued.

"Just .. nervous."

"You'll be fine - there's nothing to worry about."

I held on to every word Mr. Benedict said after that, but only a few of them were lodged in my brain.

He finished his small lecture, stressing the need to obey orders at all times. "Some of you said if interested in kayaking. Is that true?"

Neil from the cheerleader raised his hand.

"My kids are out in the field right now. I'll tell them you want a lesson." Said Mr. Benedict.

Mr. Benedict was pointing towards the river's headwaters where I could see a series of striped columns hanging above the channel. Three red kayaks race down the rapids.

It was impossible to tell who was in each boat but they were obviously all skilled, playing on the river in a series of movements that were almost like ballet, he said, the twisting and turning that brought my heart into my mouth.

One man penetrated into the front of the trio. He seemed to have an edge over the others, able to anticipate the next stream of water, the next round of current, a little faster than the others. He passed under the red-and-white finish post and punched the air with his paddle, laughing at his brothers who were left behind.

That was Zed. Sure oes.

He grabbed his brother and pulled him up. From the easy way the boy fell, I guessed that this was unexpected. It kept Yves behind but he got a splash of water before reaching out to pull his brothers out. They collapsed on the ledges, laughing, until their breathing returned. It was strange to see Zed laughing so loosely, I came to expect nothing but a dark gaze from him.

"My younger children" said Mr Benedict, shrugging his shoulders.

As if hearing a whistle from all of our hearing, Benedict's children looked up.

"Launch the raft, Dad, I'll be with you as soon as I change my clothes" cried the tallest. "Zed's gonna ride the kayaker."

"That's Xav" said Tina. "He's just leaving school this year."

"Is he like Zed or Yves?" My toot.

"What do you mean?"

We followed the rafting party as we headed to the landing stage.

"Hostle or friendly. I think I have a problem with him" I said.

Tina frowned. "Zed is suitable for many people, but usually not for girls. What's he doing?"

"He .. is a bit difficult to explain. When he looked at me he looked very upset. Look, Tina, is this me? Did I do something wrong? Is it because I don't understand how things are done here?"

"Well, there's a nasty rumor that you'd rather have tea than coffee." He said while laughing.

"Tina, I'm serious!"

He put his hand on my forearm. "No, Sky, you're fine. If he has a problem with you, that's the problem, not you. I won't worry. Zed's been acting a little weird for a few weeks now - more of everything, more angry, more arrogant - everyone's paying attention."

Our discussion ended because we had to heed Mr. Benedict's instructions on where we would sit. "The river has been flowing high since the rain over the weekend. We need the smallest and lightest in the middle of this chair so we don't flip over."

"That's you, Sky" said Nelson, pushing me forward.

"One of my sons will take a paddle in front, and you" he pointed to Nelson, "Will take the other side. It makes you two sit behind them and near me." He gestured for Tina and the other girls from high school to come forward. They were both given oars; I was the only one not given oars because I was in the middle.

Zed approached, after removing his wetsuit and wearing shorts and a life jacket.

"Xav and Yves ride the kayaker" Zed announced.

His father frowned. "I thought it was your job."

"Yeah, Xav's a jerk. Yves is better at handling that."

I decided there and then that the Wolfman had missed the demon charm part in his anti-hero training.

Mr. Benedict seemed like he wanted to say something - a lot of things - but was prevented by us from listening.

We took place in an inflatable raft. This arrangement had unfortunate consequences that I was next to Zed with Nelson on the other side. Zed doesn't seem to be looking at me on purpose, I'm going to be Miss Sku Invisible.

"That girl is in the middle-Sky, right?'

I turned around to see Mr. Benedict talking to me.

"Yes sir?"

"If you're afraid of falling, connect your hands with the person next to you. The girls at my end, make sure your feet stay on the footing at the bottom of the raft as it begins to move. That'll keep you from falling."

Nelson snorted in disgust. "In that case, she's not worried about boys, is she?"

Zed heard. "He thinks men should be able to take care of themselves. Got a problem with that?"

Nelson shook his head, sensing the excavation. "No."

Sally's just gonna love this, I thought. As a card-carrying feminist, she would regard Mr. Benedict as a complete dinosaur. He also won't be too impressed with Zed.

Mr. Benedict pushed the raft out of the mooring. With some strong pulls from Zed and Nelson, we came out of the calm current. Starting from here, paddles are mainly about steering because there is only one direction in this stretch of river - downstream very quickly.

Mr. Benedict shouted instructions, installing a steering paddle on the back. I clung to the chair, holding my scream as the raft whirled around the rock sticking out into the water. I saw what lay ahead.

"Yes God. We'll never survive here "I said.

The water looked as if it was like a giant blender spinning at its fastest setting underwater. The foam flew in the air, the rocks pierced through the surface irregularly, making navigation around it impossible for me to see.

With a great current, the boat drove forward. I'm yelling. Nelson laughed out loud and shouted 'Yee-ha!', swinging his paddle to help prevent hitting the rock.

On my other side, Zed calmly did the same, showing no signs that he felt any excitement, danger or even realizing that I was having a mild panic attack.

"Devil's Cauldron looks a little agile" cried Mr. Benedict over his shoulder. "Let's keep us in the middle, kids."