The search party keeps shouting Denver’s name as they walk downstream along the river banks. A glimmer of hope boosts the search party when they find Denver’s shoe. They head further downstream. Jane and Donnie see a drag mark on the river bank. There are smudges of blood in those drag marks.  

   JANE: (shouting) Over here! We have found something!

Donnie runs up the hilly river bank as people study the drag marks. He follows the drag marks, shouting Denver’s name at the top of his voice. Jane follows close behind. And soon they find Denver. His body is still. He has a gash on his forehead, and his ankle is broken. 

DONNIE: (shouting) We have found him! 

Jane checks for a pulse. She doesn’t find one. The rest of the search party arrives. Most are deflated when they see the state Denver is in. Jane and Donnie alternate trying to revive Denver. They give him mouth to mouth and pump his chest. After trying for what seems like forever, they give up. Jane weeps banging on Denver’s chest. As people bow their heads they are startled boy a wheezing cough. It comes from Denver as he vomits out water. He coughs and takes in quick breaths.

DONNIE: Denver!

JANE: My boy!

There is elation in the crowd. One of the police divers gives Denver first aid.

POLICE DIVER: He needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible. We have radioed for a helicopter to airlift him out because we will do more damage if we carry him out of here.

Denver slowly regains his bearings.

DENVER: I don’t remember what happened. The last thing I remember is falling from the cliff. I don’t remember hitting the water. 

DONNIE: Those boys who did this to you must suffer, my boy.

CONSTABLE MHLONGO: We need to get your statement as soon as you are ready to give one. You have to press charges. They nearly killed you.

JANE: It’s a miracle you are alive, my boy.

DONNIE: They need to be punished for their lies.

DENVER: What lies?

DONNIE: They told us you were trying to commit suicide by throwing yourself into the river.

DENVER: But I won’t press charges. 

DONNIE: What!? 

DENVER: I won’t. They were wrong for doing what they did, but at least they reported it to you. They could have chosen to remain silent. Then I was not going to be found for days. I was going to die out here. 

CONSTABLE MHLONGO: You are not in your right mind, Denver. 

DENVER: I won’t press charges. I know they will find out that the whole town knows what they did to me. But I have my life. They will live with the stigma of being the bullies who nearly took my life. They will live with the fear of the police coming for them. They will finally walk in my shoes, always living in fear. They will change their ways after going through all of this and understanding this fear.

 

There is a sound of a helicopter in the distance. Jane, Donnie and most in the crowd give slight nods. They can do nothing but admire Denver’s outlook on life.