Will of Man - Part Two

by William Scanlan

  Water poured in from the cracks and seams of the boxcar. People were screaming louder and struggling to get on their feet. Many were buried beneath a mound of squirming bodies.

  The boxcar door was jarred open and a wall of water poured in. The car was filled with ice cold water. It turned over leaving the door opening towards the bottom. Everyone treaded water to the top fighting for space in the air pocket.

  Rather than fight for a spot in the air pocket, I decided to take my chances and swim my way out the open door. I thought of Dad and our incident with the ice shanty.

  To do this I had to swim down beneath everyone.

  With my backpack securely on, I took a final deep breath and took the plunge. As I fished my way to the open door I found myself being kicked by numerous feet. I was kicked in the face, back, butt, everywhere.

  It reminded me of the beginning of the swim phase of a triathlon. In a triathlon, everyone clamors to get in front, pushing and shoving, swimming over each other, until eventually the pack spreads out and you can finally swim your way out of the crowd. Only now I had to swim under everyone and out a slim opening into god only knows.

  I began to feel my lungs burn and panic was beginning to creep in. Over the years of racing, I trained myself to cope. I learned to slow my movement, and focus on my heartbeat. I imagine myself moving in slow motion. I adapted to absorb the kicks to my body and focus on what's ahead of me.

  I searched for a glimmer of light to show me where the opened door was. It was barely visible since it was still dark out. Fortunately there was a full moon that night and I could see a faint, fuzzy patch of light. I swam deeper to avoid anymore kicking and then towards the light.

  I could feel myself relax and I imagined my heart rate dropping. I was focused now and felt confident I was going to make it. Not thinking about what I'd find outside that door, only thinking about getting through it. And then finally, I made it. I was out.

  Once outside, I could feel the current pulling me. I still couldn't see fully, so I judged the direction of the current and swam diagonal to it. I assured myself the river bank was close by.

  The water was flowing fast and hitting me on my left side. So I did my breathing on the right. Three strokes with my face in the water and then a breath on my right side. I'd repeat that numerous times till finally I felt my finger tips scrape the bottom of the river.

  Then gradually, it was shallow enough for me to grab and pull myself, and then finally I reached the riverbank and was able to stand up. I dragged myself out of the river and up on the bank.

  I looked for the boxcar I was in, but it was long gone down the river. The remainder of the train was laying in a twisted mess in the middle of the river. I listened for any survivors. I heard nothing but the fast flowing river. I know that silence will haunt me for a long time; for I know many people died tonight.

  I fell back and stared at the full moon. My mind went blank and my body was numb. I didn't cry or whine. I just laid there blankly staring upward.

  To purchase WILL OF MAN – PART THREE (click here)

  also

  To purchase WILL OF MAN - PART ONE (click here)

  I hope you enjoyed reading

  Will of Man - Part One.

  You can email any questions, comments, or suggestions for improvement to

  William Scanlan at: scanlaw@goperry.com or visit my Facebook page at:

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