Screaming in the Silence by Lydia Kelly Page A

boat and pushed us away from the dock. He took the oars in his large hands and began to row. I leaned back against the bench and looked up at the hazy sky. Kaden's rowing set a peaceful rhythm and I found myself becoming sleepy again, and had to sit up to keep from falling asleep. Kaden suddenly dropped the oars to the floor of the boat.
    "What are we doing out here?"
    "Waiting," he said slowly.
    "For what?"
    "If I tell you, it would ruin the surprise."
    The boat bobbed up and down for a few minutes and then Kaden pointed. I followed his finger above the trees and saw the graceful wingspan of a heron. The bird soared above our heads before flapping its wings and landing softly on the water a few feet away from our boat. I had seen pictures of blue herons, of course, but had never been so close to one. The bird appeared larger than I had imagined it to be. Its long beak was held high, its blue feathers ruffling as it settled itself on the surface of the lake.
    Kaden's fingers rested on my arm while I stared at the bird. I was about to tell him how beautiful the bird looked when he held a finger to his lips and reached a hand into his pocket. He removed a few crackers and handed them to me.
    I tossed the first piece close to the heron. It spun around, locking eyes with me for only a second before dipping its head and finding the food. I smiled and tossed another, this one closer to the boat. The blue heron paddled its way to the next cracker, snapping it in his sharp beak. Nearer and nearer he treaded as I lured him in. When he was close enough to touch, I held the last of the crackers in my hand. The bird stared at me hesitantly, his neck craning toward my hand as his feet paddled him in the opposite direction. I smiled, not knowing what else to do to encourage him. His beak was centimeters from my hand when he suddenly changed direction, diving under the water. I dropped the remaining piece in surprise.
    The bird eventually resurfaced, a long brown snake clutched in its beak. I sat back and gasped in horror as the snake writhed to get free. The heron looked at me one last time before taking off into the air. Kaden started laughing.
    "What was that?" I asked, trying not to laugh with him.
    "Cottonmouth," he smiled.
    I wrinkled my nose. "So swimming is out of the question."
    "I wouldn't recommend it." Kaden picked up the oars and turned the boat around, rowing easily back to the shore.
    "Thank you for taking me out here," I said when we were nearly to the dock. The shock of the snake was the only blemish on a perfect morning.
    "You're welcome," Kaden replied, looking at me but not quite smiling.
    "Do you come out here often?"
    "Not really anymore. I have other things to occupy my time now."
    I nodded, knowing he meant me and our current situation. My face sank as we reached the dock. Uur time alone was almost to an end. Kaden jumped out of the boat first before pulling me up. We took our time walking back to the house, my spirit breaking more and more with each step.
    When we reached the house, Kaden locked the door behind us. "You should shower and do whatever you need to do before they get here. It will be easier for me, and for all of us, if they don't see you."
    I gave him a weak smile and nodded, walking away from him and up the stairs to the bathroom. I undressed quickly, turned on the water and stepped under the warm flow. I cupped my hands under the stream, bringing the water to my face and splashing it over my skin. My fingers ran through my damp hair and I turned around so the warmth could soothe my back. I jumped and screamed as I opened my eyes to see Kaden standing outside of the open shower curtain. His face was unreadable and hard as stone.
    "You need to stop doing that to me," I tried to smile but his expression remained unbreakable.
    "They called. They'll be here in an hour."
    "Okay." I tried to act calm about it but the uncertainty of it all was hitting me repeatedly like a balled fist.
    Kaden stared at me for