Page 49 of Shifter Marked and Claimed

“Don’t overdo it,” I warned her.

I ran over to discuss the situation with Kyle.

“Hey man. I just called Bravo team in to help, but I forgot they were leaving on a mission this morning and are already in the air. Delta team is about two hours out, but I’m not sure we can wait that long.”

He went on to explain how they had found one of the boys but as they were pulling him out, another rockslide came down trapping the boy again and several others as well.

There are two almost out here, and at least four plus the kid up where the others are working.

I could see them steadily moving boulders and tossing them to the side.

“All rocks are being thrown to the right.”

“Okay. Kelsey is stabilizing the last out here, so where can I help?”

Before Kyle could answer, someone in the upper section yelled down. “We need Doc. Got one, but he’s not breathing.”

I took off running before Kyle could give the order. I slipped a few times on my way up and I was covered head to toe in mud, but I got to work the second I saw my patient.

I never stopped to let it register who I was working on in a traumatic situation like this. It should never matter. My biggest priority was the patient in front of me. There weren’t enough victims to warrant a triage approach, so one at a time.

I took a deep breath, assessing the situation. His airways were blocked. I opened his mouth and saw it was packed with mud. I was horrified by the site but I couldn’t let myself react to it. Calm and steady. I cleared his mouth and checked his vitals. They were weak, but there. I immediately began chest compressions. He sputtered and choked as I rolled him to the side filled with relief.

This one had been easy. I only prayed the other cases would be as well.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

He nodded pointing back to the rocks. “Danny. My son.”

I nodded. “He’s still trapped in there?”

“Y-yes,” he managed. “Help.”

I motioned over for two men to assist him to safer ground, and then I went in to the location he had pointed. “Hello?” I yelled.

“Help! Can you hear me?”

“Is that you, Danny?”

“Yes. I’m here. Help!”

I started digging in the mud passing large rocks I encountered. My hand finally broke through to the other side and the boy grabbed it.

“Help,” he cried holding on to my hand for dear life.

I called onto my wolf and my free hand was suddenly covered in fur. The claws helped me move the wet dirt much faster. Steadily I worked until the boy was free.

A loud cheer went up.

“My friend. He’s still in there. His leg was crushed by one of the boulders in the rockslide. I couldn’t get it off of him. There was blood everywhere. I don’t know if he’s alive.”

“Take him down. I’m going in for the other one.”

“Doc, be careful.”

“I will.”

I forced my way through the hole which Danny had just come through. On the other side was a small pocket. I could even see one of the entrances to the cave. I wished I had thought to ask the friend’s name.

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