Page 62 of Elsie's Strong Shelter

“Toss me your handcuffs,” Dean yelled over his shoulder.

Tommy dangled the cuffs from his hand. “I got him. Where’s Elsie?”

Dean spang to his feet and stared down the mineshaft into a pit of complete darkness. “She’s down there. I just hope she’s still alive.”

Elsie curledin a ball on the dirt floor, her hands over her head. Her muscles were so tight she swore they’d never relax, never uncoil. Each bullet that ricocheted around her tore at her psyche—brought with it a promise of more pain, more fear, more undeniable truth that death was near.

The gunfire stopped.

She held her breath and waited.

“Elsie!”

The sound of Dean’s voice washed over like a calming balm. Tears clogged her throat. Excitement built in the pit of herstomach. She was safe. Dean had found her. Now he had to get her out of this hellhole.

Sitting up, she waved her hands over her head. “Dean! I’m here! Mila’s here, too. She needs help right away. I don’t know how to get out.”

“Don’t worry,” Dean yelled. “I’ll be down in a second.”

Relief settled into her bones and adrenaline leaked from her system. Her teeth chattered and shivers shook her body, stealing what was left of her energy. Heat crashed against her cheeks.

A rope trickled down the hole. Dean lowered himself inch by inch until his feet hit the ground and he rushed toward her, pulling her into his arms. “You’re alive. Oh my God, I was so damn scared.”

Elsie melted against him, clinging to his chest. Tears filled her eyes and fell down her face. “You’re here. I can’t believe you’re really here.”

He cupped his hand around the back of her neck, and she let out a hiss of pain. He pulled back and studied her, the worry in his eyes clear even in the dark mine. “Are you hurt? Justin said he shot you.”

She tried to dip her chin toward her leg but couldn’t find the effort to move. “My leg. He shot me then hit the back of my head before he tossed me down here. Mila’s in worse shape. Down the tunnel.”

“Honey, you’re burning up. I think you have a fever. We need to get you out of here right away.” His words were gentle, soothing, but he couldn’t hide an undercurrent of fear.

Her eyelids grew heavy. She blinked to keep them open but dropped her head to his shoulder. “Mila first. Please.”

“Tommy,” Dean yelled. “We need medics here now! Elsie and Mila both need immediate attention.”

Dean was here. He’d take care of her. She didn’t have to find a way out, didn’t have to stay awake another second to makesure Mila was okay. Her body turned lax. Her muscles refused to move.

“Elsie, baby, I need you to stay awake. I’m getting you out of here, okay? But you need to stay with me. Can you talk to me?”

His voice became faint. His steady arms pressed her against him. She was safe now. She was with the man she loved. A calming buzz sounded in her brain. The dizziness came rushing back. She couldn’t keep her eyes open one more second, but at least she got to see Dean one more time.

Giving into exhaustion, her head fell forward. She savored the feel of Dean’s body as the world around her disappeared and she surrendered to oblivion.

24

Dean heaved a sigh of relief as Tommy clapped a hand on his forearm and helped him out of the hellhole with Elsie draped over his shoulder. “I located Mila about ten yards away down a narrow tunnel to the left. Injury to her leg and lacerations on her face are the only visible injuries, but she’s unconscious and severely malnourished. Elsie suffered a head wound and was shot in the calf. Both women need immediate medical attention.”

Mr. Sweet stood beside Tommy, terror written on every line of his face. “Elsie, honey. It’s Dad. Please wake up.”

Dean dropped to the ground and cradled Elsie in his lap. He cupped her dirty face in the palm of his hand with his heart lodged in his throat. “Elsie. Can you hear me? Calvin, what’s the status of medical help?”

“Should be here any second. I gave them coordinates and they were en route before you started up the shaft.” Calvin grabbed the rope from the ground that Tommy had dropped. “Tommy, I’ve got the rope while you head down to get Mila.”

Tommy plunged his hand in his backpack and tossed a medical kit and bottle of water to Dean then hoisted the pack onhis back. “Not much in there that can help but try and get some fluids in her if she wakes. I’ll be quick.”

“Elsie,” Dean said, attention turned solely to the woman who held his world in her cold, limp hand. “Honey, open your eyes.”

Boo whined but stayed glued to Mr. Sweet’s side, as if sensing the older man needed the support.

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