jaws. In writhing pain, the captain looked into my eyes one last time. Through his anguish, he managed to look at me with the unfailing confidence that only a shepherd of 8 million souls could. He spoke his final words.

         “You must be their captain now.”

Then the beast dragged him underwater.

The thrashing waves obscured all that could be seen beneath. I stared at the turbulence in shock and silence. But there was nothing left to see. No blood, no dismembered body parts. Nothing. I could only go forward now. Upward. I climbed with both hands, right over left, forcing myself up the side of the hallway, through the immense pain. Through the horror I'd just witnessed. I reached the opening of the classroom and hoisted myself up. Exhausted...

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