Inflatable Kayak Blog

(Candace Clayton is an author who’s written novels, poetry and other short stories. She was kind enough to write this fictional adventure series specifically for the Inflatable Kayak Blog about ‘The Traveling Man’, a kayaker who tells us tales about his youthful adventures with his buddies on the rivers where he grew up. We hope you are enjoying it!)

When last we met, The Traveling Man and John were at Tomales Bay, where John was held captive by a seemingly talking snake. Let’s rejoin them and see how they get away from the angry snake.

I tell you what, that voice sounded like it was coming straight from that snake. I knew that just couldn’t be possible. John’s teeth were chattering and his face was as white as a sheet. It would have been funny if I hadn’t been just as scared.

“John,” I whispered, “What have you gotten us into this time?”

“ME? I was just walking and this snake came out of nowhere. How is this my fault?”

“Well…I see you two get along really well.”

There it was again, the VOICE. All this time, we were so distracted by the voice that we had forgotten about the snake. Suddenly, the snake started moving closer to John. He screamed…I tell ya, he screamed like a little girl…and ran towards me.

“I am not going to hurt you,” Said the voice.

At this point it was clear the voice was coming from the snake. I think John was about to faint, he was that terrified. I, of course, took it in stride.  In a very manly manner, I screamed and started backing up. I also tripped on a rock and fell flat on my rear end. In his hurry to get away from the creature, John tripped over me and landed smack on my head.  There we were in a heap on the ground, terror etched in every line of our faces.

“I said I wouldn’t hurt you. Please…don’t run.”

The snake’s voice sounded hurt and lonely.

“Why does everyone run from me?”

“Umm…cause you’re a…a…a snake.” I stuttered.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Snapped the now angry creature. “I am a woman just as you are a man. I have been here for many years and I am tired of being alone.”

The snake made sounds like it was crying. Impossible, you say? Well, believe it or not, this snake was crying. John and I had finally managed to untangle ourselves and standing up, started to dust ourselves off.

“I am sorry to tell you this, ma’am, but you are definitely a snake. Now, if you don’t mind, we will head back to our canoes and be on our way.”

“Wait, you can’t leave me here like this! Please, I need your help.”

Come back next month and find out how The Traveling Man and John help the snake to find her true self.

The author, Candace Clayton, lives in Granbury, Texas with her Husband and family, spending as much time in the outdoors as she can.

(New Chapters of “The Traveling Man” series are published on a monthly basis here in the Inflatable Kayak Blog. Check back soon for another chapter or set your computer to receive our RSS feed and you’ll be informed automatically when the next part of the story will be posted.)