5 Chapter 5

It was only when the cushion grounded on the sand in several inches of water that things became really difficult. The Marine’s body had been dragging slightly on the bottom for several feet, and now it looked daunting in its size and mass. I sat down and rested, to catch my breath.

I felt weak even after I had caught my breath. But the need to pull the Marine up onto the beach seemed imperative.

The work was as exhausting as I expected, and my progress from minute to minute could be measured in inches. But at last I had him on the beach, with only his feet in the water of the lagoon. That’s when I noticed that he wasn’t wearing boots. Only socks.

By this point I felt as weak as a kitten, and decided for the time being to admit defeat. Looking around, I saw nothing moving, either in the water or on the sand, and decided that at least for the moment we didn’t seem to be in any imminent danger.