****
After lunch, Avon returned to the river to clean the frying pan and the other utensils. She returned the spot she had cleaned the carrots. Kneeling next to the river, Avon cleaned each item and then placed it behind her. As she finished cleaning the last item, the pan, she jumped up. Just feet away was a snake; a large venomous rattlesnake.
Avon was trapped. The snake was between her and the campsite; her only way out was the river. Avon screamed. She screamed as if she was about to be attacked and she was. The snake had coiled and was positioned to strike. Avon could barely hear the rattle of its tail over the pounding of her racing heart.
Avon reached down to her leg to pull her knife out of its sheath. It wasn’t there. It was on the ground with the other utensils. She cursed realizing it was a rookie mistake; a deadly mistake. Avon stared at the snake, not sure what to do next. She could see Jeremy out of the corner of her eye, but he was too far away. Avon backed up. She could feel the edge of the river bank below the heels of her boots. She had nowhere to go.
Avon heard the rattle stop. She knew it was the calm before the storm. She watched as the snake’s head reared back, about to strike. She knew the strike would be quick, faster than she would be able to react. Feeling the frying pan in her hand she slung it at the snake and hurled herself away from the snake to escape.
Avon fought to find the bottom of the river. However, the water at this spot of the river was deep. Avon soon realized the water was above her head. She flailed trying to resurface.
Jeremy dove into the river, wrapping his arms around Avon’s waist, forcing her to the surface. Avon gasped taking in air and river water. She choked trying to spit it out.
“Quit fighting before you drown both of us,” Jeremy screamed trying to subdue Avon. Failing, Avon pushed Jeremy below trying to breathe, trying to escape the water by using Jeremy as a human ladder. Jeremy fought his way to the surface. “I said stop!” he screamed and pushed her up out of the water and onto the river bank.
Once Avon was out of the water, Jeremy climbed out as well and sat next to her while she caught her breath, spitting out more of the river.
“Why did you jump into the river?”
“To get away from the snake.”
“But snakes can swim,” Jeremy chuckled.
“Oh shit!!” Avon exclaimed and then started laughing. Jeremy laughed with her.
“You’re deadly with a frying pan,” Jeremy quipped. “You took half its head off. It looks like you’ve killed us dinner.”
“We’re eating it?”
“Hell yeah; I just need to finish removing the head and then field dress it.”
“But it’s poisonous!”
“As long as we remove about fifteen centimeters of the head and body, we’re golden.”
Avon grimaced for the umpteenth time. “Every day you find a way to gross me out! Do you do this intentionally?”
Jeremy leaned back on his elbows and laughed. “I can’t help it if the opportunities just fall into my lap. How lucky can one guy get?”
Avon stood and then looked down at herself; her boots and clothes soaking wet. She reached for the wet cloth she was using to clean the pan and utensils and threw it at Jeremy, hitting him square in the face. “It’s your turn to do the dishes. I’m out of here.”
Avon stormed back to the camp. Jeremy laid back and laughed some more.
Jeremy waited a few minutes before tasking himself to prepare the rattlesnake for dinner. After removing the head, he buried it and covered the hole with a large rock. Then he split the snake and removed the innards. He saved some of them to use as bait for fishing; he buried the remainder. He cut off the rattle and placed into his pocket as a souvenir. After removing the skin, he cut four feet of meat into smaller sections for cooking. Minutes later he was back at the camp.
“You’ve got a good arm on you,” Jeremy chuckled. “We should definitely get in a little sword practice. Your swing is becoming quite accurate.”
“I already feel like we’ve been out here forever,” Avon sighed glumly. “I’m not sure I’m made for this kind of life.”
“No one is,” Jeremy laughed. “Well, maybe some people but most of us want a nice roof over our heads and easy access to food and a sanitation stall. But knowing to live off the land is a good skill to have; even if it’s just for a weekend away from the city with the family.”
“So I should think of this as a vacation?”
“Some people actually have fun camping,” Jeremy chuckled.
Avon tried to laugh. “Will you let me know when the fun starts?”
“Maybe if you stop thinking of this as training, you’d relax and have fun. I have a gift for you,” Jeremy smiled as he reached into his pocket. He pulled out the rattle out of his pocket and tossed it to Avon.
Avon jumped as she heard the noise; her mind flashing back to the snake and jumping into the river. “That’s not funny,” Avon screamed.
“If the roles were reversed, would you find it funny?”
Looking at the rattle on the ground, Avon started laughing. “Seeing you afraid of something? Yes, I’d find it funny.”
“Then lighten up and have a little fun. You killed a snake with a frying pan and you threw yourself into a river not knowing how to swim. Admit it. It’s funny.”
“I could have died,” Avon snapped. “Twice.”
“Hell, you almost killed me in the river. Before we leave, you will learn to swim or at least float. I’m not risking my life again preventing you from drowning. Even an infant can learn to float and not drown.”
Jeremy reached down and picked up the rattle and handed it to Avon. "Keep it as a souvenir. A good luck charm, so to speak." Then he reached into his pocket again. "Here's a foot from the rabbit you killed. Hundreds of years ago, a rabbit's foot was looked upon as a talisman, it brought the carrier good luck."
"It wasn't good luck for the rabbit," Avon sneered. "How could it be a good luck charm?"
"Both the rabbit and the snake became meals for us and kept us from eating a U-Rat; I'd call it good luck."
"It's a perverted sense of luck," Avon quipped. "But thank you, I think," she added looking at the two mementos. "I'm sure years from now, I'll look at them and remember something endearing about this week, but today, not so much."
"Fair enough," Jeremy chuckled.
"I'm going to get into some dry clothes," Avon announced as she stood. Both she and her clothing were still dripping wet from her unexpected jump into the river. Jeremy was still wet as well.
"I'm thinking about going for a swim," Jeremy replied. "And let my clothes dry. Care to join me?"
"I'd prefer to put on some dry clothes and let these ones dry out."
Jeremy smiled as if he had a secret and then reached for his pack. Digging to the bottom, he grinned as he pulled out a black garment and held it up for Avon to see. "Iramy bought you a swim suit."
"She did what?" Avon screamed.
"She told me you didn't know how to swim and we agreed it would be a good time for you to learn. She bought the suit and I brought it along on the trip."
"How convenient," Avon replied sarcastically. "There's nothing like everyone deciding for me where and when I am going to learn to swim."
"Think of it as a good thing," Jeremy suggested. "It beats learning in front of a bunch of strangers at the Academy."
"They're not strangers," Avon refuted.
"True but wouldn't you like to learn in private? If nothing else, I can teach you to float. Even babies can be taught to float. It could save your life someday."
"Are you calling me a baby?"
Jeremy grinned and rolled his eyes. "Just change into the suit and come down to the river."
Jeremy grabbed his cutoff sweats and headed towards the river. He chuckled the entire way. He knew how much Avon did not want to go into the river or learn to swim. But he would not force her int
o the water. He would not order her to comply.
Avon stared at the suit lying across her leg. It was a black one piece ICE Academy issue swimsuit. While modest in design, Avon was still hesitant to wear it but not as apprehensive as going into the river. She wondered why Jeremy hadn't given her the suit sooner; before she had stripped down to her panties and t-shirt and waded into the river. Then she realized had she gone back to camp to change into the suit, she would have never gotten into the water. She was sure Jeremy thought the same thing.
Avon stared at the suit for nearly fifteen minutes before realizing Jeremy was right. It would be less embarrassing learning to swim in a more private setting and not surrounded by her classmates. She had three more years with her fellow cadets. Jeremy would be on to his next assignment in a little more than three weeks. Learning to swim now would be less stressful.
Avon stepped behind the tent and stripped. She quickly donned the suit. Uncomfortable with how snug and form fitting the suit was, she pulled her wet t-shirt back on over the suit. Looking towards the river, Avon inhaled and held her breath. She could feel the urge to hyperventilate quickly sneak up on her. Holding her breath, she was unable to move. Her feet were frozen to the ground below her. Exhaling, she did her best to muster up the courage she needed to move forward. She could feel the tears starting to well in her eyes. She hated how she felt. She hated the fear coursing through her veins. She hated knowing Jeremy was probably in the river and laughing at her.
Avon hated moments like this more than anything in the world. In a social setting as her father's plus one, she was confident and could command a room. But at the Academy, regardless of her military expertise, she was out of her element. Physically she was not always up to par and right now, emotionally, she was nothing more than the weak, cowardly girl so many had come to resent and ridicule. She wondered why her father had sheltered her and spoiled her, while hoping for her to follow in his footsteps and become an ICE officer. And the worst part he was not there to help her. Once again, he was millions of miles away on the far side of some galaxy. She resented his absence just as much as she resented being forced to do something she didn't want to.
Avon knew she had to soldier up and move forward. She was quite aware of how it would look if she froze, unable to enter the pool at the Academy. Once again, it would be evident to everyone she was riding on her father's coattails and being treated differently due to his status. She wanted nothing more at this moment than to prove them wrong. However her desire to just quit the Academy and find herself a husband was second on her list of things to do. On second thought, maybe it was her first option.
Unable to disappoint her father yet again, Avon sniffled and wiped away the tears. She found the strength to calm her breathing and looked towards the clearing next to the river. However, she was not unable to stop the tears which showed her fear. Still she walked towards the river. Maybe I'll just drown, she pondered silently. Then I won't have to learn to swim or make a fool of myself again.
As Avon neared the river, she could see Jeremy lying in the water on his back floating. He looked so peaceful and relaxed. She tried to understand how he could be so tranquil and content. He looked more stress-free than she did while in her lavender scented tub. For a moment, she was envious. But envy quickly fleeted only to be replaced by fear.
Reaching the edge of the shore, Avon sat. She did not have the energy to stand or to enter the river. She hid her face in her hands, afraid Jeremy would start yelling at her in disappointment or anger. She closed her eyes and tried to block everything out of her mind. She tried to imagine herself in her happy place. The more she tried, the more it eluded her.
"You're afraid," Jeremy whispered. He sounded as if he was sitting next to her.
Avon opened her eyes and was surprised to see him sitting on the shore. Embarrassed, she leaned forward and placed her forehead on her arms which were now folded across her raised knees.
"I remember the fear," Jeremy said softly and in a caring tone. "I promise I won't let you drown and I'll be there the entire time. If you trust me, I'll teach you how to float, nothing more."
Again Avon did not answer. Jeremy stayed silent. After a few minutes, Avon rose her head slightly but did not look up or at Jeremy. "Can babies really swim?"
Jeremy grinned while stifling his laugh. He did not want to antagonize Avon. "Yes."
"But why?"
"Why what?"
"Why would you need to teach a baby to swim?"
Jeremy took a deep breath. He needed to tell her the entire truth, the entire story. He hated admitting how he learned to swim; how he was goaded into the pool. "I didn't know how to swim when I went to the Academy. After my mother was murdered and I returned to barracks for the summer, I decided to get a head start on the survival course. I would go to the pool every day, but I couldn't find the courage to get into the water. After several days, Major Abbegglen approached me. Apparently he had seen me arrive at the pool every day and then leave. He said to me 'Even babies can be taught to swim.' He said in such a way to humiliate me. And he did. But still I couldn't find the balls to go into the water."
Jeremy paused and noticed Avon was looking at him and smiling. "It was at least a week before I returned to the pool. But when I did I was ready. Abbegglen was right, babies can be taught to swim. They can even be taught not to drown."
Avon looked at Jeremy perplexed. "By why?" Avon asked again.
"I did a little research and I found some ancient videos. It seems several centuries ago, a lot of families had swimming pools in their back yards. It was quite common. Of course, there were laws about pools being enclosed inside a fence to stop children from falling into the pools and drowning, but it didn't always work. It only took seconds for a toddler to wander to the edge of the pool, fall in and drown. So a technique was developed to teach babies not to drown and how to save themselves."
"You can't teach a baby not to drown. That's preposterous."
"No, not really," Jeremy shrugged. "The course taught the baby or toddler how to move themselves to the surface and then to roll onto their backs, extend their arms and float. The videos showed the babies just laying on their backs with their arms extended and just acting like they were just sleeping; totally relaxed."
"Why would they need to extend their arms?"
"Lay down on your back," Jeremy instructed. Avon lay back onto the grass. "Now roll over."
Avon rolled over, away from Jeremy. "Now extend your arms perpendicular from your body." When Avon's arms were extended, Jeremy told her to roll over. When Avon realized, she couldn't, Jeremy added, "It keeps you from rolling onto your stomach and drowning."
Avon nodded, acknowledging her understanding. "The babies would float for a while, then after taking a deep breath would dog paddle to the edge of the pool so they could either climb out or wait to be rescued."
"Dog paddle? What the hell is that?"
"It's an elementary type of swimming. It's not very pretty. It looks like a dog swimming, but it works."
"Dogs can't swim," Avon rebutted.
"Have you ever seen a dog swim?" Jeremy asked.
"No."
"Well, they can."
"So you're telling me babies, dogs, and apparently snakes are more skilled than I am?"
Jeremy had to look away so Avon would not see him chuckle. "No. I'm just saying it's not as hard to learn as you think. If a baby can learn not to drown, you can too."
"Deep down I know you're right, but it doesn't make me any less frightened."
"We'll stay in the shallow part of the river," Jeremy reassured Avon. "You sit here and I'll show you how to do it."
Jeremy slid into the water and waded out until the water was slightly more than waist deep. Facing Avon, he smiled and then looked towards the sky, feeling the sun on his face. "I love this river. It is so much better than the pool. I could lay here and float all
day." Finishing he lowered his body into the cool water and then laid back. With his arms extended and his legs slightly apart he floated.
Avon sat silently and watched him for a few minutes. "It looks too simple," she sighed. "There's got to be more to it."
"Just keep your back arched and your head above water," he replied. "And remember to breathe. Having air in your lungs helps to keep you afloat."
When Avon did not reply, Jeremy continued to float. "Except for swimming underwater, swimming on your back is the easiest. You don't even have to get your face wet." Jeremy started doing the backstroke and soon he was half way across the river.
Stopping, he started treading water and called out to Avon, "Are you ready?"
With Jeremy nearly forty feet away, Avon stood and slowly walked into the water. "It's cold," she whined. She stopped when the water reached the bottom of her suit. She watched as Jeremy slowly swam back towards her.
"If you'd like, I'll stand beside you and put my hands under your back until you're confident you won't sink into the water," he offered.
Avon glared at Jeremy. Her expression waffled from disgust to disbelief. "No. You can't touch me."
"Okay," Jeremy grinned and stepped back while holding his hand out in front of him as if surrendering.
Avon took a few more steps and then attempted to imitate what Jeremy had down. Unable to extend her legs out, she quickly sank to the bottom of the river, her buttocks bouncing off the bottom. She scrambled to stand but not before getting a mouth full of river water. Surfacing she coughed, trying to expel the water she had inhaled. Jeremy could see the panic in her eyes.
"Let me know when you are ready to try again," he told her. "And let me help you this time."
Jeremy's voice was demanding and Avon hated his tone. She stomped her feet and turned towards dry land. "Why are you acting like a brat?" Jeremy asked her. "I'm here to help you. Let me help you."
"Why do you take so much joy in seeing me fail?"
"I don't see any joy in watching you drowning," Jeremy quickly rebutted. "I can help you but you refuse my assistance. This entire summer is about teaching you what you will need for next semester. This is my job Avon. When are you going to let me do my job?"
Avon clenched her jaw. She was angry. She was angry that once again she had failed. She was angry that once again Jeremy had proven she was not up to his standards. She hated feeling inferior to him. Not because he was a Captain and she a lowly Cadet, but because she had not been raised to feel second-rate to anyone.
"Come back and let me help," Jeremy insisted by in a more civil tone. "All I'm going to do is hold my arms under you and catch you before your ass hits the bottom again."
"You can't touch me," Avon repeated.
"Either you let me catch you or you can inhale a few more gallons of river water. It's entirely your choice."
Avon took a deep breath. The thought of sinking to the bottom of the river again and choking on a mouth full of river water had her terrified. She knew she needed to learn to swim now and not in front of her classmates. Still she was conflicted. More so she was scared shitless. "Ten minutes," she replied. "And then I quit. I'm just not cut out for this."
"Ten minutes," Jeremy nodded in agreement. "I promise, I'll have you doing the backstroke in no time at all."
Avon's eyes went wide. "I never said anything about swimming."
Jeremy grinned. "Just kidding."
Avon returned to Jeremy's side. "I'll put my arms below your back and legs," he assured her. "Now lay back, take a deep breath and hold it."
As soon as Avon laid back her arms and legs started flailing. Then she started to sink. Jeremy held her up to keep her from sinking. "Relax," he commanded. "Pretend you're in your giant soaking tub."
Avon tried to relax. "Extend your arms and spread your legs a bit," Jeremy instructed.
Avon's eyes flew open. "Really? You're telling me to spread my legs?"
"Avon!" Jeremy grunted. "I'm trying to teach you how to float. Get your mind out of the gutter. I wouldn't have sex with you if you were the last woman on Earth."
Now Avon was really angry. She was insulted. She reached out to push Jeremy away and lost her balance. Flailing again, her hand raked across Jeremy's jaw, scratching him. "Damn it Avon," he seethed. "When are you going to get it through your thick skull, this is an assignment, nothing more?"
"You think I'm attracted to you?" Avon screamed, now standing. "Most days I hate your guts. The others, I merely tolerate you and only because you are my commanding officer. We might be a team, but we will never be friends."
"As long as you have my back, I'm good," Jeremy yelled as he watched Avon leave the river and stomp towards the camp. He knew he needed to calm down as much as she did. He needed some alone time as much as she did. Jeremy turned and looked at the far shore. He needed to get away; far away from Avon. He dove and headed to it.
It took only minutes to reach the other side. Still in the water he contemplated whether to swim back to the General's property or to climb onto the bank and sit. Jeremy didn't know who owned the property on this side of the river or if they would welcome trespassers. While he would be only a few feet or a butt on the ground, he was still apprehensive. The last thing he needed was to be shot. Looking back towards the camp he wondered if Avon's wrath would be worse.
Jeremy moved as close to the edge of the water as he could. The water was shallow enough to allow him to sit without being totally submerged. Sitting, knees raised, he leaned against his legs and stared at the opposite shore.
After calming down, Jeremy closed his eyes to relax even more. All he could think of was finishing this assignment and getting as far out into the galaxy and as far away from Avon as he could. He chuckled as he wondered if duty on a warship would be less stressful.
Jeremy sat for another ten minutes waiting to see if Avon would return to the river. When she didn't, he took one last cleansing breath and stood. He knew he needed to return to camp.
Jeremy had barely taken a few steps when he heard an ominous growl behind him. He wasn't sure what species of animal it was, but he knew to put as much distance between it and him quickly. Without turning, he moved as fast as he could and then dove into the water.
Surfacing, Jeremy could still hear the growling. He could also hear water splashing behind him. Something was chasing him. Not knowing what it was, Jeremy did not know if was about to be attacked. But if the tone of the growl was any indication, Jeremy knew he was in danger.
Jeremy swam as hard and as fast as he could. Between breaths, he screamed out to Avon. "Help! Help!"
Avon heard Jeremy's screams. At first she thought he was playing a joke, a ploy to get her back to the river. By the third scream, she realized he was in trouble. Digging through her pack, she searched for her laser. Finding it, she ran towards the river.
Approaching the river, Avon saw Jeremy swimming frantically towards her. Behind Jeremy, Avon saw a Tarian Devil; a creature half mutant boar with long feral teeth and half dog like. It was an ugly creature, originating from Taria. Because of their voracious appetite for anything with a heartbeat and aggressive nature, the government had ordered their extermination. Apparently some or at least one, had survived. And it looked hungry.
"Shoot it!" Jeremy screamed.
Avon stood resolute, completely without fear. The mouth and gigantic teeth of the Tarian Devil were just inches from Jeremy. Avon aimed. "Dive!" she screamed.
Jeremy knew he was in the direct line of sight between the laser and monster chasing him. He knew Avon needed a clear shot. He gasped what he hoped would not be his last breath and disappeared below the water's surface. Avon pulled the trigger.
Jeremy resurfaced. Avon wondered for a nanosecond if she had shot Jeremy instead of the Tarian Devil. But when she saw dissected pieces of the creature floating in the river she knew otherwise; the beast was dead.
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Jeremy struggled, pulling himself out of the water. Avon gasped seeing blood on his leg. "You're hurt!" she quavered, shaking tremulously.
"It's just a scratch," Jeremy replied not looking at his leg. "It got me just as I dived. Good job killing it. What was it?"
"It was a Tarian Devil," Avon replied. "Did it bite you or scratch you?"
"What the frag is a Tarian Devil?"
"Sorry," Avon chuckled. "It's the nickname for a Tarian Taroldyte. Daddy says they reminded him of a cartoon character from the 20th Century, the Tazmanian Devil, so we called them Tarian Devils."
"That thing was a Taroldyte?"
"Yep," Avon replied, looking closer at the deep wound on Jeremy's leg. "We need to get your cut sanitized and dressed. Are you able to walk?"
"It's not that bad," Jeremy replied, trying to hide the pain and wiping the blood off his leg. "I'm sure it's just a scratch. I do not see teeth marks, but it did break the skin. We're going to need the first aid kit."
"Let's get you back to camp. I need some water, clean water; nothing with Taroldyte guts in it."
Jeremy laughed. Despite the pain, it was funny. Jeremy stood. "Let's do this." Jeremy winced as he put weight on his leg. "Damn, this hurts," he snarled. "Are Taroldtyes venomous?"
Avon shrugged while slowing her pace to match Jeremy's. His gait was slow as he walked gingerly. A few minutes later he collapsed next to the fire pit and reached for some kindling.
"There's no time for a fire," Avon insisted as she saw Jeremy reach for the firewood. "I'll heat up the water with my laser."
Jeremy smiled as he watched Avon take charge. She was doing well under pressure. It didn't take long for Avon to clean and dress Jeremy's leg. "We're eating U-Rats tonight," she announced. "I've had enough killing for one day."