Page 32 of Sanctuary

“I don’t want to hurt him,” Simon told her.

When they reached the stairs, Indra took the decision away when he bounded upward before he could be stopped. Simon inhaled deeply and lifted his leg to take the first step.

“There are forty-two steps,” Sarah said.

“He doesn’t need to know that,” Paige snapped. “It will make it harder.”

“No, I’m smart enough to count the stairs. I know my numbers.” Simon turned and smiled at Sarah. “It will make it easier. Thank you.”

Misty was back to wanting to slap Paige. She wasn’t who Misty thought she was, but then, Misty wasn’t who she thought she was either. She was discovering her strength and determination to survive was what mattered now.

They rested after Simon counted ten stairs. Misty had never seen feet the size of his, and every step upward reminded her of a sledgehammer her father used a few times. He was so tall he had to bend almost in half so he could place a small amount of weight on Misty’s shoulder. His foot lifted and it came down with a clang on the next stair.

They rested four times before they made it to the top. The girls quickly changed out of their wet clothes one at a time while the other two stayed with Simon. Once they were dry, they got to work.

“We need to cut your shirt off,” Misty told him. It had long sleeves and was plastered to his shivering body.

She held up scissors and smiled at Sarah, who looked as exhausted and bedraggled as Misty felt. The warmth from the light behind the door made her more tired. Maybe after they took care of Simon, they could take a nap. Misty had no idea what time it was.

“Sarah brought the scissors,” she told Simon. “I’m not sure why but they will help.”

Simon groaned after she cut the material and was trying to peel it off. Indra growled slightly.

“Rub his belly,” Simon told Paige. “He likes that. The smell of blood is making him nervous.”

“It’s making it so he wants to eat you,” Paige responded but then smiled. “I’m teasing. Your tiger saved me twice. He’s my new best friend. I think I can manage belly rubs.”

As if he understood the words, the tiger lay down with a huff and rolled to his back.

“You like that, don’t you, kitty,” Paige said when she started scratching his belly.

Misty wanted to laugh. Paige actually liked the tiger, and that was funny. Misty had a feeling the tiger and Paige were a lot alike.

Sarah pulled the cut shirt off Simon. When she finished, he lay back against a blanket they had folded up and propped against the wall. Misty examined the wound. It looked better than she thought it would. She’d expected the hole to be huge, but it was actually small. There was light bruising and the skin was puckered around it. When he moved, it bled.

“The bullet went in but it didn’t come out,” she told Simon.

“It hurts. Can you take it out?”

“I’ve never done it before.” She touched the wound and he hissed softly, sucking in a quick breath. “I think I can see the bullet.”

“Here,” Paige said, handing over the pocketknife Simon had given her at the hut. “You’ll need to pry it out.”

“Have you removed a bullet before?” Misty asked hopefully.

“No, but I’ve seen it done in movies.”

“I’ve never seen it done at all. You might be better at this.”

Paige sat down next to Indra again and shook her head. “The tiger needs me. He’s upset.”

Misty rolled her eyes. “I might be able to get it out, but it will hurt.”

“It hurts now, go ahead.” Simon closed his eyes.

Misty’s mom had always doctored her father, but she had watched. He had a splinter one time that was huge and deep. She remembered how difficult it was to get out. Squaring her shoulders, she used her finger to see if she could feel the bullet. She could.

“I may be able to get the blade under it and flip it out. Are you sure?” she asked.

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