After descending the slope toward the waters edge, Michael assessed the cats chances of survival. The river, squeezed between steep cliffs, flowed with a steady, calming rhythm. The monotonous lapping of waves against the rocky shore sounded like a whispered warning: Half an hour half an hour till the sluice gates open Michael knew this sign all too well.
A kilometre upstream stood the local power stations dam. The spring floods had overfilled the reservoir, and notices had been sent to all farms downstreamthe controlled water release would begin soon, raising the rivers level. No flooding was expectedthe banks were steepbut the lower fields would be submerged temporarily. Michael knew he should check the pumping station once more, just in case any fittings had loosened.
Limping slightly, the faint creak of his prosthetic leg accompanying each step, he inspected the area thoroughly. Everything was in order. Hed reinforced the pipes and fencing the day before, but another check never hurt. He removed his flat cap, ran a hand through his greying hair, spread a small rug over a rock, and sat, massaging his stump. His leg achedevery change in weather reminded him. Lighting a cigarette, he settled in to wait. He loved watching the sluice gates openfirst a distant rumble, then a frothing wall of white, followed by a sudden torrent sweeping away branches, debris, last years leaves. The river seemed to come alive, shedding the old.
He removed the prosthetic, set it beside him, and squinted as a fallen tree drifted lazily on the waterwould it sink or stay afloat? Halfway across, it caught on a sandbar. Stuck, Michael muttered. In ten minutes, when the surge came, it would wash away. But then he noticed something strangesomething small struggling in the branches. Leaning closer, he saw ita cat. Grey, sodden, shivering, claws desperately gripping the highest branch, twenty metres from shore.
Poor thing, Michael thought. Ten minutes till the gates openit wont survive. He fastened his prosthetic and gauged the distance to the tree. The rescue was nearly hopeless, but he couldnt walk away. That lookterrified yet hopefulwas one hed seen before.
Almost thirty years ago, Michael had been a contract soldier. A sergeant at a hot-spot post, hed been patrolling with a young private, Danny. Climbing a narrow mountain path, Danny had rushed aheadthen a snipers bullet shattered his knee. He collapsed, screaming. Michael remembered that starea silent plea, the realisation that any rescue might kill them both.
Without hesitation, he fired toward the snipers position, drawing fire, then dragged Danny behind a boulder as bullets whizzed past, one grazing his helmet. He succeededbut later that night, he stepped on a mine. Since then, theyd both lived without legsone missing the right, the other the left.
Michael tore off his duffel coat, grabbed the rug, and waded into the icy water. The cold burned his skin, his breath seizing, but it was too late to turn back. He inched toward the tree, teeth clenched to stop them chattering. The water was still shallow. Above, the roar grew louderthe gates were opening.
Come on, kitty, dont be scared! he grunted, stretching out his arm.
The cat, as if understanding, leaped onto his shoulder, claws digging in. Pain lanced through him, but he gritted, Hold on. Turning, he fought the current, limbs numb, the prosthetic dragging. The roar of water surged behind themthe wave was coming. His foot touched the bankone last stepbefore he collapsed, darkness swallowing him. The last thing he saw was the cat scrambling onto dry land.
He woke by a fire. A kettle hissed merrily beside him, and the catnow drysat by the flames.
Leave you alone for five minutes, and youre in trouble, grumbled a familiar voice. Danny stood there, the same old Danny, though his temples were now grey. Took all my strength to haul you out by your collar.
Michael sipped hot tea, warming under the duffel coat. The cat rubbed against his knee.
Quit nagging, Danny, he chuckled. Knew you wouldnt leave me. Like you never did then. He stroked the cats back. Now theres three of ustwo cripples and a four-legged stray.
Aye, Danny nodded. That ones yours for life. Rescue it, and itll stick to you like glue. No shaking it offlike me.
They both laughed. Then they roseone limping on his left, the other on his rightand walked back toward the pumping station. Between them, paws barely touching the damp earth, the cat kept pace, never straying far from the man whod saved it.
