Alligators in the Cedar River

   Honor Grey was asleep at home when the phone rang waking her up. It was her wife Carla calling to alert her of the tragic news. It was the hardest call Carla ever had to make, but not nearly as hard as it was for Honor to hear. Her 8 year old daughter was dead, just two years after her husband was killed in a car accident. Honor was in shock, before denial set in. “No, NO, NOOO” she screamed while trying to hold back tears that she could not for too long, she began to cry and scream “NOOOOOO” as if  only she could scream and reject it loud enough she could make it not real. Carla wanted to say something to comfort her, but what could be said, nothing could make this tragedy better. Carla began to cry while softly speaking “I know, I know, I’m on my way home and will be there soon.” She was driving home from the Equine Rescue where she worked to Renton, where she lived. Her son Nick had told her, immediately after it happened. Carla debated whether to call Honor, or wait

  I awoke to the sounds of sirens rushing past the resort driveway to the river. Out of curiosity I hopped out of bed and ran outside. My dad was up along with many other guests huddled on the road by the river bank. I pushed my way through the crowd until I saw blood, a thick stream of it flowing into the river. Hoping this was some sort of nightmare, I pinched myself, closed my eyes and opened them to the sight of Penny’s face, realizing this was in fact real. I stood there, stunned, still hoping that I’d awake to the sounds of birds chirping in the bright sun, rather than the blaring sirens in this dark hell.     It was Early, still dark outside, but I couldn't get back to sleep. I smoked a cigarette and tried to relax, but just couldn't get the image of Penny’s face out of my mind. I decided to hop on my bike and just ride. It was an indestructible 1978, 125 cc Honda Super C ub, It easl i y reached 60 miles per hour and I found myself at the MultiCare ER about

My Name is Conrad Lender, I live in Taylor Reach. A quiet little community in King County Washington, between Renton and Maple Valley. Where Taylor Creek empties into the Cedar River. It’s cold here, much too cold for any giant, cold blooded reptile. Or, that’s what everyone said. Everyday I walk my dog Olympus, a three foot tall, one hundred and forty pound Great Dane. We walked along the cedar trail. A miles long, non-motor trail on an old railroad, named after the cedar river. Usually we cut through and walk the river bank to get home. I was never afraid of being attacked or eaten by some wild animal. The scariest animal there is around here is the grizzly bear, and in my whole life living here I have never seen one. But one day that would change. Who would’ve thought my first bear sighting would be of it being dragged away by a much scarier, much larger, much more aggressive animal. One that shouldn’t be able to survive here, The cold blooded, prehistoric,