Five things race through Jason’s mind as he makes his return trip to the beach house. Dillon’s been eaten by an alligator. He’s lost in the thick mangroves on the island. He’s fallen in the Gulf and has drowned. He’s packed a small bag and has left Jason, dumping him. Dillon’s had an accident, somewhere on the island, unconscious and…
While running, Jason almost takes a tumble on the shell pathway, rushing. He looks like an animated character while losing his balance, half bent over, his foot perpendicular to his frame, his right foot positioned straight ahead, and his arms up and spread wide at his sides like a stork, which makes him look as if he’s going to take off in flight. At the very last second, before plummeting headfirst in to the conch shells, damaging his face and maybe a shou
