"Hi, Mom. Have a good day?" He tossed his books on the table and draped his jacket across the rocking chair.

"No," she replied. "I received a warning from an oracle."

"Oh yeah, great. Boy, am I hungry. What’s to snack on?" He snaked his head into the refrigerator.

"I love it when I have your total attention. Get you head out of there and sit at the table. I’ll supply the food, but it’s going to cost you." Sarah tousled Tommy’s sandy hair as he folded his lanky body into the nearest chair. "I have something to tell you."

Tommy squirmed in his chair as Sarah related the events of her day. "Ah, come on, Mom! You’re not going to let that crazy hermit spook us, are you?" He shook his head.

The light dismissal didn’t fool Sarah. His jaw was a tight line. He was concerned, not by what the hermit said, but by its effect on her. After Ned was killed in a car crash, he’d come to think of himself as her protector. Sarah understood his need, knowing it helped allay the loss of his father. She allowed it. She sought her own relief from grief in this place apart. There were no memories of Ned here to cause her pain. Just childhood recollections of adventure.

"Hey, think about it, okay?" Tommy waved his hands in the air. "For one thing, we already have an axe, right? It’s stuck in the chopping block in the yard. The guy must have almost tripped over it to give you that one." Tommy’s glance moved to Jonah’s axe. It stood on the hearth, a quiet sentinel, testimony to a strange day.

"You’re right, I’m sure." Sarah said. Was he? She looked away. Had she allowed his taking care of her to go too far. Was her own solution to conquering grief making her weaker -- dependant? It had been two years. She could be strong again. If she had to.

"Maybe he planned to dismember you with it, then at the last minute had second thoughts. You never know what a weirdo is going to do!" Tommy sat up straighter and glared at her.

"He is not a weirdo." Sarah faced Tommy squarely. "And he’s not crazy. The people in town are the weirdos. I know he’s different -- unusual, okay? Besides, I thought you liked him?"

"I did. I liked him a lot... until today." Tommy rolled his eyes.

"He’s a good man. I can tell," Sarah said.

Tommy strode to the fireplace and retrieved the axe. "I give up. He’s a saint, Mom. He knows evil, and when it comes...." He held the axe as though it had been freshly reclaimed from a sewer. "We’ll be ready! In the meantime, where do we put it?"

The television came to life. "Limited travel warnings are in effect for portions of Florida. Winds are expected to reach 40 miles per hour, with gusts of up to 60. Protected waters may reach flood stage in the next 24 hours."

Sarah stared at Tommy.

Tommy avoided her eyes. "Mom, that’s why Aunt Millie and Uncle George built this place on stilts," He leaned over to Sarah and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Remember, Aunt Millie always used to say this camp would be here long after the shrimp-skinned tourists stripped the last of the Spanish Moss off the Live Oaks." He sighed. "That damned hermit’s got you spooked good!"

"Mind your mouth." She pressed her hand over his. "And don’t worry. We’re not going to run. Not from a little blow, we’re not."

"And continuing with the local news," the television blared. "We have an update on Rudy Saunders, the prisoner who escaped from the maximum security facility earlier today. He is presently believed to be at large near Gator Bayou. According to Chief Wilson, Saunders could be armed, since it is now known he had an accomplice. Saunders was serving a life sentence for three murders committed during a two-week spree of robbery and violence in South Florida several years ago. A full scale search will be initiated at daybreak, weather permitting. Unless you’re evacuating, authorities urge that you remain in your homes as much as possible."

A blurred prison photo of Rudy Saunders appeared on the screen. He was a thick necked man with heavy, almost Neanderthal brow ridges. A large crooked nose suited his overall look of dissipation. He had dark hair and dark eyes. Evil is coming, Sarah thought. The hermit’s words echoed in her brain. Rudy Saunders had evil eyes.

Tommy looked down at Sarah. "I bet they catch that guy before morning. We’re safer from him right here in the swamp." He patted her shoulder.

Gil’s hulking shape appeared in the distance. Damn moron. Rudy half-hoped Gil would slip into quicksand and disappear. Or get snake-bit. Hell, he probably should have dumped him right off. Problem was, he might need him later. His own face would be plastered on the front page of every paper in Florida, maybe the whole South. The authorities must know someone helped him get out. But they wouldn’t know it was his certifiable cousin Gil. Even he couldn’t believe it. He had put his life in the hands of a loony.

"Morning, Mom," Tommy said as she emerged from her room. "Sleep well?" His dripping jacket hung by the door and his hair was wet. "Coffee’s ready."

Sarah ignored his question. "You’ve been out in this weather?"

"Just wanted to check on the boat and see how high the water had risen."

"And?" She poured a cup of coffee and carried it to the table.

"Water’s really starting to rise," he said. "Nothing we can’t handle, but the weather’s not going to let up for a while." Tommy frowned.

"What is it, Tommy?" Sarah clutched the front of her robe.

"The boat must have gotten loose in the night. Can’t have gone far. I have to go look for it. I’ll bring some of my fish traps to the high ground while I’m at it."

Sarah studied Tommy. He was as tall as Ned already, and still growing. Ned would be proud. "Sounds like a good plan to me. Not the first time the boat’s gotten loose. All that wind, it’s no wonder." She pulled her long hair to one side and pushed it over her shoulder. "And don’t look so concerned. I’m fine. Daylight puts a lot of fears to rest. Go do what needs doing and I’ll start breakfast."

"Right," he answered with a mock salute and a relieved expression. He pulled on his wet coat. "Your noble woodsman is off to brave the elements."

Gil gave Rudy a toothless grin. "Oh yeah."

Tommy, Sarah thought, where is Tommy?

"Where’s your old man, Lady?" Rudy asked.

"He... He’s been in town for a few days. He should be back today. What do you want?" She was afraid to ask about Tommy. Afraid they would tell her they had hurt him. And afraid to mention him in case they had not seen him.

"I want you to keep nice and calm," Rudy said. "Go on with your cooking now and put on enough for two more. Your kid, he coming right back?"

"I don’t know. He was out before I got up."

Rudy grabbed her arm and squeezed it hard. "No lies, you hear! I heard him talking to you when he went out the door."

"Please," she begged. "Don’t hurt Tommy." She would grovel on her hands and knees if necessary.

"You behave, you won’t have no trouble," Rudy said.

"We wouldn’t hurt no kid," Gil said from the doorway. He formed a pout with his mouth. "Would we, Rudy?"

Rudy ignored them both and moved to the window.

Sarah fiddled with the stove. Her mind raced. The shorter man had a retarded look about him. A vagueness almost. Rudy, was evil personified. She should have listened to the hermit. Had Tommy seen them? Please let him go for help. Don’t come back for me, Tommy. Don’t, she prayed. She picked up the pan to pour off the bacon drippings, then considered throwing it at the men and rushing for the door. But they were too far apart. And Rudy would just break her arm if she failed. A lot of help she would be to Tommy with broken bones. She moved carefully toward the sink and the drip pan.

"Kid’s coming," Rudy waited for Sarah to put the pan down. His dark eyes measured her. "Now," he said, "you’re going to go to the door and call him in. And don’t try nothing cause I can blow him away right from here." He pushed her forward.

Tommy must have seen the muddy footprints and made a decision, because when Rudy pulled open the door he was running toward the swamp.

"Run, Tommy, Run!" Sarah screamed after him.

Rudy shoved Sarah aside. "One more step, Kid," Rudy bellowed, "and your mother dies!"

Sarah tried to push past Rudy. He swung one massive arm that sent her crashing back into the cabin, then brought his rifle up and fired at Tommy.

Sarah reached the window just as Rudy fired his second shot. Tommy went down. "No..." she screamed, "noo..." She ran toward the door again, but the other man caught her and pinned her against the wall. She kicked out at him and tried to bite the arms that held her. "You bastard," she screamed, trying to get to Rudy. She would claw his eyes out. The arms around her tightened. It was all she could do to breathe.

"Stop that caterwauling and be still," Rudy yelled. "Let her go, Gil. I’ll deal with her. Go drag that dumb kid in here. The rain will cover the blood and tracks in no time."

"Blood," Sarah said between breaths. "Tommy’s blood." She looked up at the man called Gil, then pushed him. "Hurry, please hurry," she pleaded. "Bring him in. Oh, God, let him be alive. Please, God."

Gil seemed confused. He just stood there. "Why’d you shoot the kid? That weren’t right, Rudy."

"Just do what I told you, stupid. The kid’s not hurt bad. I had to stop him is all. Now move it!"

Gil went out the door shaking his head. "You shouldn’t a done that, Rudy."

Sarah’s face and neck throbbed where Rudy had struck her. Nothing felt broken. Good, she needed her strength for Tommy.

"I’ll need bandages," she said facing Rudy. Time for vengeance later. She marched toward the bathroom without waiting for permission.

Rudy measured her with his eyes. "I’ll go with you," he said. "You’re tough, I like that in a woman." He ran his tongue acros his lips. "Nothing like a frisky broad for the good times. Makes things interesting."

Sarah shivered. Tommy, she just had to take care of Tommy for now. The rest she would deal with later.

Gil carried Tommy in. Sarah heard him cry out. He was alive. Gil brought Tommy to her bedroom, then helped her pull off his blood-soaked jeans. What if an artery had been hit? She examined Tommy’s leg. Blood oozed from two holes in his thigh. The bullet must have passed through. Infection, that would be the problem. Sarah cleaned the wounds and poured a sterile solution over it. Tommy passed out.

"Okay, wrap it up in there and come finish the cooking, woman!" Rudy called from the other room.

Sarah moved mechanically through the rest of the day. She cooked and sat by Tommy, cooked and returned to Tommy. She lost all sense of time. Was it night? Strange scenarios occupied her mind. Why not poison them? But if the poison didn’t act fast enough, Rudy would be sure to kill them both before he died. Escape was out of the question with Tommy’s wound. Sarah glared into the living room, her eyes fixed on Rudy.

Rudy rose and walked across the room. He stared back at Sarah. "You and me, we’ll have us a nice private little talk tomorrow." He laughed, grabbed the handle of her bedroom door and slammed it. Even he knew she wouldn’t leave without Tommy.

The noise woke Tommy. "Mom, we have to get away from here. My leg doesn’t hurt that bad, honest."

Sarah picked up a bowl of lukewarm soup and spooned some into him. "Whatever we decide, you need to build up your strength." She raised a finger to her lips. "I’ll think of something."

She fell asleep in the overstuffed chair next to the bed. It was one in the morning when she awoke with the feeling someone was watching her. The bedroom door was still closed. A strange scratching sound caught her attention and she whirled to locate its source. It was the hermit, his face inches from the rain streaked window. He tapped lightly. Hope, here was hope. She hurried to her desk and scribbled a note, praying he could read it through the smeared glass. Praying he could read at all.

Evil is here, she wrote. Tommy is hurt. Get help. She held the note up and watched Jonah’s expression. His eyes met hers. Did he understand? He nodded firmly several times, then disappeared.

"Tommy." Sarah touched his shoulder gently.

"What? What’s wrong?" He came to with a start.

"Shh..." she warned. "It’s the hermit, he was at the window. I don’t know what he’ll do." She showed him her note. "He might go for help, or rush the cabin himself, I just don’t know. In the meantime, I’m going to try and block the door with a few things. Anything that doesn’t make noise."

She started with a chair. Then she took a quilt and lifted one leg of the dresser at a time onto it and pulled it silently across the room.

Two hours passed. "I guess he went for help," Tommy said. "Which was the best thing to do anyway."

"Oh, definitely," Sarah agreed. A noise at the window made her jump. The hermit had returned.

Looking out, Sarah’s hopes sank. He was alone on the broad porch that surrounded the cabin. Leaning against the railing, near the stairs, was a stretcher of sorts. Could they carry Tommy out through the storm and the flood? Sarah took deep breaths. Maybe Jonah knew the answer to that question -- she didn’t. And staying was no longer an option. Rudy had plans for her. Plans that would wound Tommy far worse than the bullet in his leg. Sarah couldn’t allow that.

"What is it, Mom?" Tommy pulled himself to a sitting position. "Did he bring help?"

"Well," Sarah said, with a grimace. "Let’s just say he didn’t exactly bring the Mounties to the rescue." She explained the situation to him. "Time to go. I’ll help you over to the window."

"What about the axe?" Tommy asked. "It’s still under the bed, and it’s a weapon"

Sarah agreed silently. They would take it. They were meant to take it. She helped Tommy to stand and together they inched toward the window.

A sudden staccato of coughing came from the living room. The wind howled outside and debris pelted the house. Each new noise terrified Sarah. The face at the window was her only goal now. At first the window wouldn’t open. Swollen from damp-rot and rain, Sarah thought. She gripped the flimsy handle and Jonah pressed upward on the frame from the outside. It opened with a thundering crash and the storm swirled in like a small twister. Tommy leaned forward and tried to hoist himself over the sill.

Sarah saw the furniture stacked against the door shift as Rudy slammed into it. She quickly ran and braced herself to hold the barrier in place, watching as Jonah struggled to pull Tommy out the window.

Splinters of wood flew as Rudy put his fist through the bedroom door. Sarah couldn’t hold out much longer. Rudy rammed the door again. His huge arm appeared in the opening. His clenching fingers missed her neck by inches. The hand withdrew, replaced by Rudy’s enraged face. He grinned at her through the gaping hole.

Sarah reached down, picked up the axe and swung it in a wide arc, slicing into the opening where Rudy’s head had just been.

Rudy’s loud roar electrified Sarah. He was a raging maniac. He ripped pieces of the door away like it was Balsa wood. He hollered for Gil to get outside and cut them off. "Damned woman swung an axe at me!"

Sarah’s heart beat so fast it made her weak. She looked toward the window. Empty. She rushed forward dragging the axe, then threw herself through the dark opening. Where were Tommy and the hermit? It was hard to see in the blinding downpour. The wind tore at her clothing. Then she saw them, halfway down the stairs. She raced to catch up. She laid the axe beside Tommy, then grabbed the back end of the litter. If they could get a head start, maybe they could find a place hide. They reached the bottom of the stairs and stepped into the rising water. Lightening flashed. Sarah could see the pain on Tommy’s face. The deep woods of Gator Swamp loomed ahead of them.

Rudy’s voice reached them from above, louder than the boom of thunder that followed. "I’m gonna kill you for sure now!" He screamed. "All of you."

Strips of Spanish Moss slapped Sarah’s face. She wiped them away with her shoulder. Water rose to knee level. Oh God, Sarah thought, snakes, gators -- and Rudy. We don’t have a prayer. Why had she left the safety of the cabin to follow the hermit? And had he noticed she was not much over five feet tall? The water was to her thighs now. Lightening struck again, illuminating the cypress trees ahead of them. A boat, there was a boat beyond the next tree. A few more steps and they were there. Her breath came in gasps as they lowered Tommy into the craft. There was only room for him. But at least she would have something to hold on to.

Rudy and Gil must have come in through the swamp. Would they give chase through it now? Surely not in this weather! She glanced up at the shadow of the hermit as he moved cautiously through the dark water ahead of them. He had saved them. Forget the sandwiches, she thought, next time he got the pot roast and potatoes.

Sarah heard a strange humming sound. Tornado? Dear God, were they to be spared nothing? No, this was a whining noise. But storms like this often made weird sounds in the swamp. She had enough to worry about. Then she heard it again. She tried to concentrate on the sound. It was closer now. A light flashed behind them. The boat. That’s where their boat had gone. Rudy had stashed it somewhere and he was coming for them. With a light. With a light -- and a gun.

Tommy groaned. The sound hurt Sarah. She reached into the boat and stroked his arm. The hermit glanced at her and their eyes met. Rudy’s light flashed over them. Then Jonah bent over, tugged on the small boat and began to pick up the pace. Sarah copied his low profile and they slid across the surface of the swamp like a water moccasin.

The passage of time eluded her. Sarah thought her back would break from the hunched posture. Where were they heading? She had never been this far back in the swamp. Jonah wove an erratic path. Why didn’t go in a straight line?

A shot rang out. Slivers of wood fell from a nearby tree. "You can’t get away from me now," Rudy bellowed into the wind and rain.

Sarah’s whole body trembled. Her hands gripped the back of the hermit’s boat like Eagles talons. If I die out here they’ll have to bury the boat with me, she thought, I can’t let go. She pushed on, wondering why such an inane thought surfaced. Terror, that was it. Terror could drive you mad. Suddenly her feet touched a firmer surface. The water was shallower. Hard ground. They were on an island.

Behind them, the engine noise changed abruptly to a high-pitched whine. Someone yelled and there was a loud splash. The other boat had hit something, and Rudy or Gil had fallen into the water.

The hermit turned to Sarah and smiled. Now Sarah understood their circuitous route. Jonah had booby-trapped the trail. He motioned to her. She understood his signal. And she would follow him anywhere. They reached down and picked up Tommy’s litter and darted into the forest.

They traveled about 200 yards, then stopped. A small oak ridge lay in front of them. The hermit put down his end of the litter. Sarah followed suit and waited for instructions. Jonah reached out to the muddy bank and pushed aside a bed of fallen Spanish Moss to reveal a hiding place large enough for Tommy’s litter. He removed a second axe from the shelter. Together, they tucked Tommy safely inside and covered the hole once more.

Sarah got down on her hands and knees. "Are you all right in there, Tommy?"

"I’m okay, Mom, but I was just thinking..."

"What?" Sarah asked. She knew he was in pain and must be terribly frightened. Was he thinking of dying? "Thinking what?"

"I was thinking how glad I am that the shrimp-skinned tourists didn’t take the last of the Spanish Moss off the Live Oaks." He laughed.

Sarah stifled a sob. "I love you, Son." Jonah touched her shoulder. "I have to go now, Tommy. You’ll be safe here."

Sarah stood, then followed Jonah.

The wind lessened, the rain slowed to a drizzle and daybreak crept across the swamp. Were these good omens or bad? Sarah wasn’t sure.

Rudy’s voice pierced the air once more. "You’re gonna get that boy killed, woman. Better just give up now. I ain’t mad about the axe business no more, so come on out here."

Sarah stopped, imagining she heard his footsteps behind her. Jonah gently took her arm and led her to a position behind a large tree, leaned her back against it, then motioned for her to stay put. He brought his hands to her face and smoothed back her hair. His eyes held hers in the half-light of dawn.

Footsteps approached. Voices whispered nearby. The hermit disappeared.

"You go that way, Gil, flush them out."

Sarah looked down at her hands. She held the axe. When had she picked it up again? It didn’t matter. The weapon comforted her. Rudy was angry about it. Sarah peeked from behind the tree. Gil stood not ten feet away. A low shadow moved toward him. What the devil was it? It looked like a huge cat. Gil blocked its path along the trail. Jonh’s panther? Or was it his? Flood waters drove the wild ones to high ground. The Panther went into a low crouch as Gil moved forward, then suddenly rose and let out a long high-pitched screech that sent goose bumps down Sarah’s spine. Gil screamed and swung his gun up. He fired wildly.

A second shot rang out.

Sarah watched as Gil swayed for a moment. He spun around. Red blossomed on the front of his chest. He fell, emitting a long piteous moan.

Rudy had shot Gil. By mistake?

"Mom!" Tommy called out. "Mom, are you okay?"

Oh God. If she could hear him, so could Rudy.

"I’m right here, Tommy!" Let Rudy come after her.

"Mom, I’m over here. Help me."

Sarah was confused. It sounded like Tommy again, but how could he have gotten in front of her? She whipped her head around.

Jonah stood yards away. He raised one finger to his lips. "Mom, help me, I’m scared," Jonah cried, mimicking Tommy’s voice perfectly.

Rudy was coming. He tore through the underbrush like a wild animal. He would pass right by her. Sarah looked up at Jonah again. He held up his axe and nodded. It was up to her. The Panther’s appearance on the scene had changed Jonah’s plan. He’d meant to draw Rudy to himself, that’s why he left her behind the tree. But he must have sensed something would go wrong from the beginning, so he’d brought her the axe. The morning light showed the pain on his face. He wanted to be the one, Sarah knew. She smiled at him. I’m stronger than you know, friend. She took a firm grip on the long axe handle and waited for his signal. Think about Tommy, she told herself. Just think about Tommy.

The world slipped into slow motion. A shaft of light illuminated the hermit briefly. Like some ethereal vision, he pointed to Sarah’s left, then slowly raised his arm. Sarah drew back the axe and waited. Time began again in a rush as the hermit’s arm swooped down. Sarah swung the axe with all her might.

The handle caught Rudy across the knees, pitching him forward. He hollered as he fell, then was silent. Strangely silent. Sarah couldn’t move. She watched his body twitch. What had happened? Why didn’t he get up and attack? In the flickering light she studied Rudy, leaning over to see him better. His head, there was blood coming from his head. Then she saw it, the giant jaws of a trap. Rudy had fallen onto a trap and it had closed over his head, breaking his neck in the process. She looked quickly away. The hermit stood next to her staring into her eyes.

Sarah took a deep breath. "I’m okay." She reached out and touched his face. "It had to be me, you see. It was meant to be me." It was important that he understood. "I’ll be strong again now."

The hermit took her hand in both of his. He nodded.

In the distance a Panther roared. Jonah’s head snapped toward the sound. Once more he motioned Sarah to wait for him, then quickly moved into the trees. When he returned he was carrying several large traps. Traps not meant for Panthers, Sarah knew.

"Let’s go get Tommy," Sarah said. "He’ll be worried."

This time Jonah followed her.