The Adventures of Walley in the Ohio River Part 2
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]On their way again, we set off up stream again to a place called Salt River. Walley can't believe the amount of Asian Carp down here in this pool, there are a lot more down here than in the upper pool where he is from. They were everywhere at this point, traveling In schools they where all different sizes, some smaller than others, and some of them, a lot of them where nearly fifty pounds. Cat tells him that they come here in great numbers to work at the Salt Factories that are up ahead and to feed on the plankton, that part Walley knew all to well. They don't pay them very much, but it is better than nothing. He then went on to explain to Walley how they could stop and work a day and earn some fast cash themselves for the Pleasure Ridge Casino up ahead and more importantly so Walley would have money to give to the Fish Fairy for locking through, because he didn't know what the Fish Fairy would ask for in return for helping Walley if he asked for anything at all. Walley is contemplating It, but he is aware that it will prolong him being away from home, but he knows he has no choice, as he would need money for the Locks, he was willing to do what ever it took to get home, even if it meant working in some old salt factory for a day. He was also remembering that it was chasing of the Asian Carp that got him in this situation in the first place.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]Walley meanders forward with the group, it is gonna be a long stretch from here to get to the next stop.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]As the water gets busier with fish, they come up on the Salt River area. Cat and Walley approach the factory and go in to the secretary who asks them may I help you. Cat replies yeah we would like to see if you have an opening today, we would like to work one day if possible and get paid cash so we can be on our way. The secretary agrees and gets all their information. She then takes them back to meet the foreman. The foreman is named Mr. Hybrid, the secretary introduces them to Mr. Hybrid and lets him take over. Mr. Hybrid explains their job duties to them and quickly puts them to work. They will be working salt mining, by helping collect the salt from the rooms below that other worker fish are creating by blasting under the River bottom. Walley had never seen nothing like this before, But Cat was more experienced in this end of the River. After blasting was done, Walley and Cat where to swim down in the rooms and collect the loose salt. The salt would be distributed to other fish family’s willing to buy it for seasoning at their dinner time. It was a rare commodity, because it was expensive and jobs were scarce. So the blasting was finally finished and Walley and Cat swam down to collect the salt, they did this over and over and piled it up in a container. It wasn't long before Walley became weak and thirsty as he wasn't used to work, especially with salt. Cat told him, he was probably just becoming dehydrated, as the salt can do that do you, they figured they better give it a rest, so they told Mr. Hybrid they were done and collected their pay for the work they had done and got moving again. Cat told Walley they would find a nice little spot and rest a spell while he filtered clean water through his gills. Walley hoped he had earned enough money to get through the Locks. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]They rested for a spell along the river bank area where the water was calmer in an Eddie, then they started their journey again toward a town known for its gambling boat the Pleasure Ridge Casino. All different types of fish come to the Casino and Resort. Some fish love to gamble says Cat and others come here because it is one of the warmest and nicest parts of the River this time of year although there are other warm water resorts, none have the Casino with them. Thanks to the power plant located on the shore. You see says Cat, it runs water into the plant for cooling the components inside the plant that man uses to make power. Man is sustained by the help of power.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]As they arrived at the Pleasure Ridge Casino and Resort it was like nothing Walley, Skip and the Shads had ever seen. As they didn't have a Casino where Walley had come from prior to being sucked through the spillway. There were all different types of fish, here. There were Asia Carps, Crappies, different kinds of catfish, drums, carps, walleyes, bluegills. Cat had arrived at his destination at last, after all this was his destination prior to meeting and learning of Walleys situation. You guys are going to love this place he said. Of course Walley is worried now, as Eddie was only gonna ask Cat to take him as far as the Fairy Fish that ran the Under Water Locks, if we are way past that and Cat is where he wanted to be why should he want to go to back to where he was coming from? Cat knew Walley was thinking about worrisome stuff. Cat although hesitant said okay look, I know the route and there is still quite a ways to go, it wouldn't be making like a nice fish if I let you go from here without me, besides I would feel terrible if I heard later something had happened to you and you didn't make it home. So Cat agrees to make the journey to the Fish Fairy with Walley and Skip and the Shads. The Shads were very quiet, Walley asked them what was wrong, they had one of them speak on their behalf and it was the bigger one, he said we have decided to go ahead and stay here at the resort, Walley said why? The big shad said the water is warmer down here right now, & we are sure to meet certain death of we return to the cooler water. The skip Jack spoke up and said he decided to stay as well, since the shad's are staying. Walley couldn't believe his ears, but he understood. It was going to be just Walley and Cat from here on out. Walley would miss his new friends when he had to leave them behind. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]Walley and Cat where the only two that had worked at the salt mines so they were the only two that had earned any money to spend at the casino resort. Skip jack and the shads decided to go and look for their new homes so for now they said their good byes to cat and Walley. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]Cat and Walley would now go into the casino boat and have some fun. Walley was reluctant to spend any of his money as he didn't want to risk losing his money and having none to pay the fairy fish at the locks. Cat was more than happy to have some gambling fun. They went to the craps table and cat threw some dice, where he lost some of him money, then they decided to go play some cheap slot machines, cat and walley both played a little while on the slot machines, where they evened out on their money and really didn't lose anything. After a while of having some gambling fun, they decided to see if they could leave there and find skip jack and the shads and say good bye to them, walley knew his good bye would be forever, and cat would probably see them again, this was heart breaking for walley as they had been his companion since the fisherman episode. The last thing he wanted was to say goodbye to someone he considered being a friend who had brought him comfort in such a low time in his life, but he knew he had to in order to reclaim his life with his family where he belonged. So cat and walley went looking for skip and shads. Finally they found them near the shore in and Eddie where they seemed quite content. They too hated to see walley and cat go, but they understood that it was for walleys best interest, so they said their goodbyes and cat and walley started back on their journey up stream without skip and the shads. As they pulled up stream the too kept near the shore as the current was still strong near the channel. They were fighting their way through other fish who where also enjoying less current near the shore line, it was full of gars and Asian carp they could see cat fish out a little further, they just stayed about half way down in the water to avoid most of the other surface fish. They swam and swam and swam against the current, and the water was getting colder as they went, walley didn't mind this because his type of fish did well In cold water, cat however, he doesn’t do as well in the cold water, but he made it work for his friend walley as long as he could. They traveled mile upon mile as they made way toward the locks, walley said how much further, and cat replied well we should be coming up to some bridge columns in the bottom of the river that extend up into the sky for the bridges and then after that we wont be far at all. Walley asked cat if he could make it that far in the cold water and cat said he was fine for now as far as he could tell. [/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]Walley is pretty sure that two nights have past and he is wondering how his parents are handling his disappearance and being without him. He is pretty sure that the fireworks show is tonight, and he doesn’t see why he can't make it home today if the Fish Fairy will cooperate. Meanwhile back at Walleys house his parents are wondering if they can muster up the courage to go to the fireworks show without their baby. They have always taken walley and went as a family school. How could they now go without their walley to something they always enjoyed with their walley, how could they enjoy their selves. They didn't know about the fairy fish and the possibility of a young fish such as walley finding his way home again. Mr walley told Mrs walley that they should go and that if there is some chance that walley is just lost around here somewhere, that the fireworks show would show him the way home. That they were certain of, as they knew the river was always somewhat calm on that day. They had to make the decision and they chose to go without walley hoping they would see him out in the crowd somewhere by some miracle and bring their baby home once and for all. So they got prepared and went in that direction. They decided to go early so they could also take another look for him while out and about, hoping for the best.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif][SIZE=3]Back down stream walley and cat continue their mission to get walley to the locks, they swim and swim making their way down the long part of the river and around curves, but cat says don't worry I know my way around this part of the river, we will be there soon. Cat says that up ahead he sees the bridge pillars walley sees them as well. They quickly swim faster to the bridge, they are excited to be closer to returning walley to his parents and home. They pass under the bridge, jumping out of the water for joy, cat tells walley that there is more than one bridge and the other one is about a mile upstream they will have to pass under another bridge, walley says okay what ever it takes, so they continue up stream against the current until they set their sights on more bridge pillars, they get to them and cross between them as well, walleys happiness is off the scale will he finally get to go home, he is so excited to see his parents and just get home. Right on the other side of the bridge pillars is the locks they have made it, walley can't believe it, he doesn’t see any boats and neither does cat, so they try to look for this so called fairy fish. At first they don't see him, then out from the up stream current appears a fish coming toward them, it is a striper hybrid, he doesn’t look very friendly walley and cat are a little startled, walley more than cat. The hybrid swims up and says what do you want? Cat speaks for walley and says that walley here needs to lock through and get back to the upper pool. Hybrid says well ya can't lock through right now, walley says why not, hybrid says because you can only lock through when the humans say so and right now they ain't saying so. Hybrid tells walley and cat that when a boat or barge comes along that needs to lock through is when you will get your chance, that they aren't running this structure for fish. Walley is disappointed, he says well how long does it usually take for a boat to come? Hybrid says you never know when they are coming, it could be minutes, hours, or even days. Walley is saddened by the news, he knows that tonight is the night for the fireworks and he was hoping to surprise his parents with his arrival. Hybrid then says that in order for me to help you lock through you know it's gonna cost ya? Walley says “Whats it going to cost me?” Hybrid said one craw fish and one silver coin. Walley says well we don't have any craw fish, hybrid says well you wont be getting through here then, not with my help. walley says he will find a crawfish. Hybrid agrees to help him, and as quick as he appeared he disappeared. Walley said where did he go, cat sat who cares he wasn't the friendliest fish anyway. Cat told him he would be back not to worry. So walley and cat realized they had no choice but to wait so they hung out there and waited, and waited and waited, before too long they heard something coming, could it be the boat they where waiting for? The anxiously waited to see, but it was just a boat going further up stream next to the locks through an area cat said is known as the shout. walley looked disappointed as dark was drawing near and he knew the fireworks would start soon. They begin to wait again and still no sign of hybrid they figured since they were right by the bank that they would go have a look see for some craw fish so they meandered over to the shore and begin scavenging through he rocks for a craw fish. It wasn't looking good at first, there was no sign of craw fish anywhere, they just kinda sat and was wondering how all this was gonna work out when walley looked down and seen a craw fish crawl out form under a rock, he acted fast and swam to it and scooped it up, he said okay lets go back and wait for the boat to come. So they went back and began waiting for the boat. Still no sign of hybrid but they knew he would be there or so they hoped so they continued waiting it wasn't long before along came another boat would this be the boat that they needed? They had their fins crossed, sure enough a large barge appeared from the distance and pulled up to the locks, out of no where hybrid appears and he says now’s your chance walley, do you have the dough? Walley says yes, here is your silver coin and your craw fish, hybrid is pleased and says it's your lucky day buddy, now get prepared because in a few minutes this concrete wall is going to raise and we are going to move inward and upward. Walley says okay, he looks at cat and says to him that he is sure gonna miss him. Cat says I’m gonna miss you too buddy. He asks cat if he will be able to make it home safe as well and cat says I don't see why not, I’ll be on my way as soon as I see you off. Walley was feeling bitter sweet feelings, feeling of losing a friend who had done so much for him, who if it wasn't for him he would possible be lost for ever or worse. He tells him goodbye and says maybe I’ll see you again someday, he tells him that he is gonna tell everyone in the upper pool stories of the brave cat fish that risk his life for him and helped him get back home to his family in the upper pool. Cat tells him he doesn’t have to do all that, that he probable would of helped him if he was in the same position, walley says I sure hope so buddy, and he turns to face the locks. Suddenly the concrete wall seems to start moving and opens up in the middle, then the two separate pieces fold outward out of the way, hybrid says stay close to me and do what I do, it will be calm at first, but it is tight quarters in there and then the water will get rougher. So walley turns to look back at cat and he can see him so he says farewell friend, cat says back farewell good buddy and he turns away from his buddy one last time and follows hybrid into the locks, hybrid says stay close, the barge then follows them in and is taking up most of the space in the lock. Once the boat is in they close the concrete wall, hybrid says stay clear of the wall walley, and they both do successfully. He knows he will never see his buddy again, since these locks are to dangerous to do unless you have to, cat lives in the lower pool and will probable never come to the upper pool. So walley braces himself for what ever is next, suddenly the lock begins to refill itself, with water rushing in, in powerful gushes from underneath them. He is thrown left and right and left again, barely keeping sight of hybrid, hybrid grabs on to him and says don't get caught up in the rough water walley it could damage your fins or worse you could be slammed against the walls. Walley hangs on to hybrid with all his might, who is a much stronger faster swimmer than walley he fights the current coming from the gushing water and keeps walley in place. Finally the gushing stops and everything goes silent, then they make their way to the front of the lock, where another concrete wall splits in two and slowly opens, hybrid says don't let down your guard yet, there will be current rushing in and we have to duck and swerve our way through debris and current to get completely out of here and back into the upper pool. So here it comes the current is coming in and the water is blending, walley and hybrid make their way upward and outward, swim swim he said, so walley swam with all his might and before he knew it he was clear of the current that was sucking him back into the lock, he couldn't believe it he made it, he made it, he was in the upper pool where his family was, where his life was, could this be he said, he turned to hybrid to thank him and hybrid accepted quickly and he said now I must go back in before the gates close again, just as fast as hybrid came into walleys life he was going to leave with the same speed walley thanked him again as he swam out of sight and about that time, walley heard a bang, he turned around to see the most beautiful firework he had ever seen in his life it was then that he realized the sun had went down and the fireworks show had started. Walley wanted to tell Hybrid thanks again, but as he turned Hybrid was completely out of sight, the concrete walls were beginning to close again so walley swam fastly away from them, and began to swim toward six mile island and the fireworks, they where booming in the air one after the other, he would jump from the water just to see more, finally he made it to twelve mile island, he could see the bridge light up with beautiful white fireworks streaming down into the water, although he had enjoyed the fireworks every year with his parents, this was by far the best show ever, he was the happiest fish ever, he came to the fireworks crowd before he reached his home, so he though he would check there first just to see if his parents were there looking for him. He swam all over the place, every fish in the upper pool was at this fireworks show there where fish everywhere, he was circling the other fish, maneuvering in and out of them, and then in the distance he heard a familiar voice, it called to him walley, walley, it's walley, he turned to see his mother and father swimming toward him with more gust under their fins than what he had just experienced in the locks, and going down through the dam that day. He swam toward them and began to call out mother, father, they met in the middle with great love and compassion for one another, they hugged and all held each other tightly, it was a moment they had all waited for, for days and feared would never happen, walleys parents where afraid he would never return home and walley was afraid he would never make it home to see his parents again at their house in barge #3. His parents asked him what had happened to him and as they watched the fireworks he told them a tale of an unexpected ride through the dam and the act of bravery by a young cat fish named cat and his new friend Eddie that made his return home possible. His parents where elated to have walley back and would be forever grateful to this cat and Eddie that they have never met and will maybe never meet. How lucky they all felt for having cat and Eddie help walley and for walley returning home, when the fire works wound down, they made their way back to barge #3 as a family and would start their life over where they had left off with the execption of one thing, walley said he would stay away from the spillway. The End[/SIZE][/FONT]
