Page 26 of SEAL the Deal
“Damn, that’s hectic,” yelled Rick as he leaned back against the raft and held his paddle across his knees.
“That was a grade four,” said TJ. “There’s two sets of grade five-plus in the next stretch. If you guys don’t move a little faster when I give commands we’ll end up in the drink.”
“Keep your pants on, old man,” said Rick. “We’ve been handling it like pros. Plus it’s not like we can’t swim, we’re SEALs.”
“The Meat Grinder doesn’t give a crap what you are. You go in and you’re in serious trouble.”
“The Meat Grinder?” Dean sounded a little uncertain.
Rick laughed. “He’s just trying to scare you.”
“We’ll see.”
They cruised with the flow of the river for a few minutes before the familiar roar of rapids could be heard.
Rick readied himself for the onslaught. The roaring increasing in intensity as they approached a bend.
“Right side forward!” bellowed TJ.
He dug his paddle and the raft made its way to the outside of the bend narrowly avoiding a large rock. As they rounded the corner the rest of the rapids came into view. “Oh shit,” murmured Rick as he surveyed the raging torrent of white water forcing its way between two huge boulders.
“Forward!” yelled TJ.
Together they paddled as the Chief aimed them for the gap.
Through the torrent Rick could see a crest of water then more boulders and rapids. He felt the raft gain speed as it was sucked into the chute. Water lashed his face and the craft bucked wildly as they entered the maelstrom.
“Right back!” screamed TJ over the noise.
Rick paddled hard spinning the raft. They dropped over a small waterfall into a whirlpool where they surfed for a moment before TJ angled them clear.
“Left back.”
He paddled frantically before realizing he’d messed up. They bounced off a massive boulder and slipped down a crevasse slightly narrower than the boat. It wedged firm and tons of water tipped them downward. TJ disappeared under the raft and then it broke free, flipping end over end.
Caught beneath it Rick managed to keep his legs up as the raft bounced through the rapids. Then suddenly it was gone and he was jetting through the rapids alone. He fought to keep his head above water as he was pumped through another set of small waterfalls. A boulder dealt him a solid blow, robbing him of feeling in his right arm.
The pummeling felt like it went on for minutes, but in reality it was a matter of seconds before he was clear of the rapids.
“Rick!”
He turned toward the voice and spotted Mike towing Dean toward the bank. Striking out with his good arm he kicked toward them. Behind him, another voice called out.
“Where’s TJ?” Ernie caught up with him. “I can’t see the raft or TJ.”
The two men reached the shore together where Mike was supporting a coughing Dean. “Everyone OK?” he asked.
Rick wriggled his fingers. The feeling was slowly returning to his hand. “I’m good.”
Dean coughed the last of the water from his lungs and gave thumbs up.
“TJ is gone.” Ernie scanned the river with a concerned expression.
“He was first in. So he’s probably further downstream. Don’t worry, the old man knows the river,” said Rick.
Once they were all out of the water Mike led them along the river, scrambling over boulders in search of TJ. As they hunted Rick spotted something blue ahead. They got closer and he saw it was their cooler. The Chief was sitting on the bank next to it. The raft was nowhere to be seen.
Rick crouched next to him. “TJ, you alright?”
