I pressed my paddle against the gentle current as deep as I could, the water fighting back with each stroke. I quickly looked over my shoulder, hoping to catch glimpse of an empty river behind me. I was not so lucky.

Godfrey was in pursuit. Even worse, he had a double paddle. I turned back to face forward and began to row with a heightened pace. I had no problem outrunning Godfrey on foot this far. But who gives chase on a river?

The current was against us, but with every stroke Godfrey seemed to get closer and closer on the river. Panicking, I looked to the base of my kayak for any items of use I could slow down my pursuer. The survival bag I grabbed was still zipped up laying behind me. I reached back to grab it as quickly as I could.

Bonk.

The oar gave out its last words as it drowned towards the bottom of the creek. Unbelievable clumsiness and timing made a brutal cocktail in this moment.

Opening the pack I noticed basically survival items: First aid kit, radio, compass, flare gun. I grabbed the flare gun quickly, the kayak following the current as I now faced Godfrey. I only had one shot…time to make it count.

I aimed at his surprised face and slowly squeezed the trigger.