Is this fatherly courage or stupidity? The question rang louder than the seagulls. Catherine and the baby need me in one piece. He steadied a gloved hand on smooth skin. The orca shivered but did not buck. Maybe it understood the intent—or maybe exhaustion trumped instinct.
John started cutting the net. The plastic strands stretched and resisted before finally giving way. He adjusted his grip and kept sawing, careful not to let the blade slip too close to the whale’s skin.