Washed Away. Carol Marinelli

his body rigid with disbelief. Madge was immediately standing on the passenger seat and barking, her ears pricking up.

      “No.” The word strangled in his throat and his van skidded to an untidy halt as he slammed his foot down hard on the brake. His eyes widened in horror as the reality of what he was witnessing sank in.

      Someone was on Hansen’s Bridge.

      On Hansen’s Bridge, for God’s sake!

      No one went on Hansen’s Bridge. It was derelict and had been closed off for as long as Noah could remember. There were Closed signs everywhere, a barrier even….

      But in this weather, who could see them?

      His eyes scanned the pounding water. The flimsy barrier wouldn’t have stood a chance against its force, but the locals knew it was a death trap.

      Only a fool or a stranger in town would be nudging his vehicle along the bridge and hoping to make it over to the other side, but someone was doing just that! Inching his Jeep along the rickety bridge before Noah’s disbelieving eyes.

      His hands raked through his hair, gripping it for a moment as he shook his head in horror. His breathing was so rapid he had to tell himself forcibly to slow it down, but he never even finished the thought. Instead he jumped out of the van, roaring at the driver on the bridge to get back. Although as he gestured furiously, Noah knew it was useless. There was no way the Jeep was going to make it. Already he could see the wood buckling. Any minute now, the whole bridge would collapse like a pack of cards.