Innocent River, Mississippi: The Day of Reckoning The early morning sun cast a golden hue over Innocent River, but the serene beauty was lost on the thousands of hunters gathering in the town center. Over 8,000 men and women, armed to the teeth with rifles, bows, knives, and ropes, were hell-bent on destruction. The town's atmosphere buzzed with anticipation and the sickening excitement of the hunt was coursing through the blood of not only the hunters but the townsfolk as well.
Picnic tables stretched as far as the eye could see, laden with mountains of food—pancakes, bacon, eggs, breads, fruits, and other energy-packed provisions. The tantalizing aroma wafted through the air, mixing with the scent of sweat and gun oil. The tables were surrounded by the hunters, their faces hardened by years of tracking and killing, their eyes gleaming with the thrill of the imminent bloodshed.
Tom Scott's family members had been making speeches all morning, stirring the crowd with promises of glory and riches. The final speaker was Tom Scott himself, the mastermind behind the hunt. He stood on a makeshift stage, overlooking the sea of eager faces.
Tom Scott's Speech
"Ladies and gentlemen," Scott began, his voice booming through the loudspeakers, "today, we make history. You know, this is big. Really big. We're going to do something today that, quite frankly, nobody has ever done before. I mean, nobody, believe me. Today, we 'Drain the Swamp.' Today, you 'patriots' will cleanse this land, at levels no one has ever seen before. We're going to kill every living creature, and believe me, the Fake News People will try to make you look bad. They always do. They’re terrible. Terrible people. I know they will try to put us all in jail for performing our Constitutional rights. Our right to walk down to that swamp, where I will walk with you, and fulfill our duty to completely destroy it.
"The outsiders will come after you like they come after me with fake charges, fake trials, and judges, really corrupt judges, all of them. All of them set up to come after me and come after you. If they can prosecute me, they can do the same thing to you. And that’s horrible. Really horrible. They want to 'STOP THE KILL,' and we will not let them win. We are going to purge this river at levels never seen before. Never seen before, folks.
"We have over 800,000 of the finest hunters gathered here today. Really great people. The best. Ready to do what needs to be done. The rules are simple. Simple rules, folks. Kill everything that moves in the river, by the river, and through the swamps. Leave no stone unturned, no creature alive. You know, when I said that, people told me, 'Tom, you can’t say that.' But I did. Because it’s true. We will leave no creature alive. None.
"And we’ve devised a plan. A great plan. The best plan. To ensure complete and total destruction. Total destruction. Teams will come down the river from the north, others will approach from the south, and some will traverse the back roads and swamps. We will surround and conquer. Surround and conquer, folks. It’s going to be beautiful.
"And remember," Scott added, a sly smile creeping onto his face, "there are big money prizes for the biggest kills. The grand prize, a fortune, goes to whoever brings me the largest gator.
"You know, the Fake News, they’ll tell you that we can’t do this. They’ll say it’s inhumane. But you know what’s inhumane? What’s inhumane is what they do to us. What they do to our land. They let the vermin run wild. And we’re supposed to just let it happen. But we won’t. We won’t let it happen. Not on my watch.
"Folks, the river, our great river, has been infested. Infested with all sorts of terrible things. And we’re going to clean it up. We’re going to clean it up at levels never seen before. Never seen before. Believe me. And you know, people are saying, 'Tom, why do you care so much about this river?' And I tell them, it’s because I love this river. I love it. It’s a great river. One of the best.
"But the outsiders want to stop us. They want to stop the kill. They don’t want us to drain the swamp. But we will. We will, folks. Because we’re patriots. We love our land and country. We love our river. And we’re going to protect it.
"And you know, the environmentalists, they say we’re destroying nature. But what about our nature? What about our right to protect what’s ours? They don’t care about that. They don’t care about us. But we care. And that’s why we’re here today.
"The hunters, you, the great people of Innocent River, you know what needs to be done. You’ve got the spirit. The American spirit. The spirit that built this great nation. And together, we’re going to make this river great again. We’re going to make it great again.
"And you know, people are always asking me, 'Tom, how do you do it? How do you keep winning?' And I tell them, it’s because of you. Because of great people like you. You’re the reason we win. You’re the reason we’re going to win today.
"So go out there and do what needs to be done. Do it for your land and country. Do it for your families. Do it for our great river. Because together, we’re going to drain the swamp. We’re going to kill every last one of those creatures. And we’re going to do it bigly.
"And don’t listen to the naysayers. Don’t listen to the fake news. They’ll tell you we’re wrong. But we know the truth. We know what’s right. And we’re going to do it. We’re going to make history today. Believe me.
"And remember, folks, this is just the beginning. Just the beginning. We’re going to do so much more. We’re going to clean up this whole area. We’re going to make it great again. And it all starts today.
"So go out there, and make me proud. Make yourselves proud. Because today, we make history. Today, we drain the swamp. Today, we kill everything that moves. And we do it because we’re patriots. Because we love our country. And because we can.
"Thank you, and God bless."
The Arrival of Sandman
Innocent River, once teeming with life, had become a battleground above the surface. But beneath its tranquil waters, an extraordinary scene unfolded, unbeknownst to the hunters and townspeople. At the bottom of the river, where sunlight barely reached, walked a figure of legend—Sandman.
Sandman, standing an imposing eight feet tall, with the appearance of a man in his prime, walked with a grace and serenity that belied the chaos above. His pure white three-piece suit, immaculate and unblemished, contrasted sharply with the dark depths of the river. His shoulder-length white hair hung gently around his clean-shaven, handsome face, untouched by the water. He moved as if the river held no more resistance than the air, his steps unimpeded by the surrounding aquatic environment. The pristine water, clear and fresh, seemed to part willingly for him, maintaining its clarity as he passed.
Trailing behind him was an entourage of creatures never before seen on earth. These beasts, resembling colossal dogs but far more formidable, were each fifteen feet tall at the shoulder, with a span of over ten feet between them. They possessed four legs, but their massive heads, resembling a hybrid of an alligator and a T. rex, made them truly fearsome. Each head was at least fifteen feet long and ten feet across, armed with double rows of razor-sharp teeth and eyes that glowed with an eerie intelligence. They had frightening tails, their powerful bodies streamlined for the silent, purposeful march they undertook.
There were between 800 and 1,000 of these creatures, a vast, disciplined force that stretched for the length of two or more football fields. They walked four abreast in perfect unison, each step synchronized as if controlled by a single mind. Their footfalls made no sound, and the water around them remained undisturbed by their passing, creating an almost surreal image of tranquility amidst their formidable presence.
Sandman led this legion with a calm, purposeful stride. He had no need for breath, and the creatures behind him, too, showed no signs of needing air. Their movements were fluid and unhurried, unaffected by the water's temperature or pressure. They marched like silent soldiers, their enormous forms moving with a grace that belied their size and power.
As Sandman walked, the river's natural inhabitants—fish, eels, and other aquatic life—swam around him, seemingly unperturbed by the otherworldly procession. It was as if they recognized Sandman as a guardian of their realm, an ancient protector of life on Earth.
The Command
Suddenly, Sandman stopped. In an instant, the entire column of beasts halted, their synchronization so perfect that not a single creature moved out of step. There were no words spoken, no commands issued. It was as if Sandman's will alone had commanded them to stop, and they obeyed with a loyalty that was absolute.
The beasts behind him stood motionless, their six eyes glowing softly in the dim light. They awaited his next move, their loyalty unwavering. These creatures were more than mere beasts; they were extensions of Sandman's will, bound to him by a connection that transcended the physical.
The Dispersal
Sandman stood still, his presence commanding and serene, as the beasts behind him awaited their silent orders. Without a single word or movement from him, the creatures began to disperse. Their dispersal was beyond human comprehension. Each beast moved in every direction at the same moment, as if they had done this a million times before. And perhaps they had.
This ancient, orchestrated dance was executed with precision and grace. Each creature knew exactly where it was going, how to get there, where they were to wait, and what exactly to do when the hunters arrived. It was as if they had rehearsed this maneuver countless times, in this very place, throughout the ages. The river's depths were transformed into a living grid of strategic positioning, with each beast taking its place in preparation for the impending conflict.
Hours before the hunters were set to be released to begin their slaughter, the beasts had already taken up their positions. They moved with a purpose and an understanding that defied human logic. This was no ordinary defense; it was a meticulously planned counteroffensive designed to turn the tide against the hunters.
The Hunters Become the Hunted
As dawn broke, the hunters, armed and eager, prepared to unleash their fury upon Innocent River. They had no idea what awaited them beneath the surface. What they believed would be a slaughter based on their will and determination was, in truth, a scenario far different than they could have ever imagined.
Sandman and his legion were not there to fight with the same brutality. They were there to save and protect every animal, every fish, every gator, and even every insect. Humans believed they were the rulers of all life, but this was not the case. Most humans knew nothing at all about Sandman, even though he sometimes made himself known in ways only he could.
Sandman watched as the first boats entered the water, the hunters' faces set in grim determination. They had come to kill, to take life without thought or care. But they would soon realize that they were not the only predators in these waters.
A Silent Offensive
The creatures, now hidden in the depths, awaited the signal from Sandman. They were patient and silent, their enormous forms blending seamlessly with the underwater landscape. The river, with its tranquil surface, betrayed nothing of the impending storm beneath.
As the hunters began their advance, Sandman raised his hand, a silent command that echoed through the minds of his legion. The beasts responded immediately, moving with a swiftness and coordination that defied belief. They surged forward, cutting through the water like silent torpedoes, their massive forms gliding effortlessly through the depths.
The first encounter was swift and decisive. A group of hunters, oblivious to the danger lurking below, had set their sights on a family of alligators basking on the riverbank. As they raised their weapons, ready to strike, the water behind them erupted. One of Sandman's beasts, moving with the speed of a striking serpent, surged from the depths. Its massive jaws closed around the lead hunter, dragging him into the water with a strength that was both terrifying and awe-inspiring.
Panic ensued. The hunters, caught off guard, turned their weapons on the beast, but their bullets and arrows were useless against its thick, armored hide. Another beast emerged, then another, each one attacking with precision and force. The hunters' cries of terror echoed across the river, their bravado shattered in the face of this unexpected assault.
The True Nature of Power
Sandman watched the chaos unfold, his expression calm and resolute. He understood the true nature of power—not the power to destroy, but the power to protect and preserve. His legion fought not out of hatred, but out of a deep-seated duty to maintain the balance of life. They were guardians, not conquerors.
As the battle raged on, the hunters began to realize the futility of their efforts. They had come expecting an easy victory, a day of sport and bloodshed. Instead, they found themselves outmatched and outmaneuvered by creatures they had never even imagined.
Some tried to flee, abandoning their weapons and scrambling for the safety of the shore. But the beasts were relentless, cutting off their escape routes with an efficiency that left no room for hope. The hunters were herded back towards the river, their paths blocked by walls of scaled, armored flesh.
The Protector of Innocent River
In the midst of the chaos, Sandman remained a beacon of calm. He walked through the carnage, untouched and unhurried, his presence a stark contrast to the chaos around him. The beasts, sensing his proximity, became even more disciplined, their movements a dance of deadly precision.
The Legacy of Sandman
As the last of the hunters disappeared from sight, Sandman turned his attention to the river. The beasts, their task completed, began to regroup. They moved with the same silent precision, forming ranks behind their leader.
Sandman walked along the riverbank, his presence a calming influence on the creatures around him. Fish swam closer, their movements relaxed and unhurried. Birds returned to the trees, their songs filling the air with a sense of renewed life.
(Raven)