Page 31 of Rescuing Red

Turning off the equipment, they waited in silence. Worry clogged his throat.

“Hello? Is everyone okay?”

The alpha beside him lowered the hands he’d cupped around his mouth to direct his voice into the hole, the slight shake in his last syllable showing his worry.

A cough broke the tense silence. He held a lamp over the hole. Scuffling sounded from below before a voice called back.

“We’re here. We’re okay.”

Cries filled the hall behind him, but they still had to pull the people below up through the hole.

“Is there anything you can climb on to get up here?” Blaide asked as he lowered his upper body into the hole, a firm grip taking hold of his belt as he tried to get a better look below. But there wasn’t enough light. Taking the lamp thrust down at him, he finally spotted the people huddled in the far corner of the large room.

“Maybe. Give us a minute.”

A body moved just outside his ring of light and another broke away from the group in the corner to walk to the far wall. A clank sounded before a screech, but the sound cut off.

“There are bleachers against the wall, but we aren’t strong enough to move them.”

The shaky voice came from a dainty figure. She stepped into the light and raised her arm to shield her eyes. By her stature she was likely an omega, and since the other voice had been female as well, he bet they were omega too. They were the most natural caregivers and the obvious choice to be with the children in a time of crisis.

“Okay, give me a minute.”

Blaide sat up and looked around for the pack he’d removed earlier. Finding it, he dug out his rope and looked around for something to anchor it to, but there was nothing he’d be able to wrap it around.

“We’ve got it,” one man said, stepping forward with his hand held out. “We can lower you down.”

Nodding, Blaide wrapped the rope around himself as the two alphas did the same. The other people waiting in the hall moved behind them, taking up the end of the rope.

Scooting to the edge of the hole, Blaide swung his legs over before turning and lowering himself as far as his arms could reach. It was still quite a drop to the floor, but the rope should keep him from falling.

A rough call came from above, letting him know they were ready. Releasing his hold, he waited for the drop but was relieved to find the rope held. They slowly lowered him until his feet hit the floor and he called out.

He could hear the children murmuring and letting out little whines, but it was the woman who approached him who held his attention. Tall and regal, her three tails stood proud behind her. The only difference between the woman and his mate was the woman’s pure white hair and fur.

“Over here,” she said, waving toward a set of metal bleachers not far away.

Blaide realized they must be in the school gym as he looked down the wall at another stack of metal. There wasn’t enoughlight to see the opposite end of the room, but he got the impression of more rubble scattered throughout the space.

Moving to the end of the bleacher, he gave it an experimental pull.

“The wheels didn’t age well. They’re rusted.”

He nodded at the information, another screech filling the air as he moved it a couple of inches. Adjusting his grip, he put his shoulder to the metal, digging his feet into the floor as he strained to shift the weight. It was slow to move, but after an excruciating few minutes, it shifted enough for the end to be under the hole. There was still a sizable gap between the top step and the ceiling, but he could lift the children if someone above helped take them.

Explaining his plan, he climbed the steps as the others stirred. It took a little coaxing to get the first child to the top, but the women managed, holding hands and creating a soothing blanket of purrs.

Blaide added his own as adorable eyes blinked up at him from a chubby face. The little boy trembled as Blaide gripped his waist, but he remained silent, hands clinging to Blaide’s fingers as he lifted him up into waiting arms.

There were eleven children in the group, and when they realized their parents were waiting for them above, they were eager for Blaide to lift them up. Once they were out, he helped the first two omega caregivers up. Liz’s nana waited until she was last. As he knelt to form a stirrup of his hands to lift her like he had the other adults, her eyes narrowed at him, nostrils flaring.

“You smell familiar, but I’m sure I don’t know you.”

She left the statement hanging, but Blaide didn’t know how to explain everything that had happened over the past few days. Giving her a cheeky grin, he shrugged and said the only thing he could think of.

“It’s complicated. The answer waits for you topside.”

Lifting his hands suggestively, he waited as she placed her foot in his palm, hands lightly resting on his shoulders as he stood and lifted her to the people waiting above.

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