Page 7 of Midnight and Mine

“Are you in town? If you are, we could use your help.”

“I’m about thirty minutes away. What’s going on?” I ask.

He says, “A man called in for an ambulance at the gorge. He said he saw a woman fall. He had to go to the main road to get a signal, so he’s not sure where she is exactly.”

“Do we need Bravo?”

“Yeah, since it’s dark, and we don’t have coordinates. We’ll meet you there.”

I hang up and call Wynter again to leave another voicemail. She’ll worry if I don’t. This search and rescue may not take much time since a man knows her approximate location, but you never know when it’s dark.

“Hey, baby. If you wake up, and I’m not there, don’t worry. I’ve been called for search and rescue. I’ve got your chicken biscuit, and I’ll call you on the way home in case you’re craving something different. I love you. I was just thinking about how lucky I am and how wonderful my life is. Being married to you is like living a dream. I can’t wait to kiss you and that beautiful baby belly when I get home. Love ya.”

Pulling out my red emergency light, I place it on the dashboard. There’s no traffic this time of night on the parkway, but it makes me feel better about going ninety miles per hour. When I arrive at the main road going into the gorge, I meet Heath, an ambulance, a firetruck, and several police car lights pulsing like a Vegas club on New Year’s Eve.

Heath instructs the volunteers, including me. I whistle for Bravo, and he pounces to my side so I can add his leash. “Do we have any missing persons yet?”

“No, but the man who called it in has taken two officers down to the trail where he was standing when he heard a woman’s voice echoing and brush crunching and snapping.”

“Bravo, ready?”

He barks once with his ears perked up. He’s a German Shepherd that was used by Delta Force, and they retired him after five years. I had gone to school with Bravo’s military handler and in Doug’s will, he wanted Bravo to be used for search and rescue missions. His wife knew I was trained with search canines, so she asked if I would train with him. Bravo and I have been on a dozen missions over a three-year period.

Two short whistles tell him we’re ready, and it’s all professional from here. No scratching his back or petting his head—we’re on a mission. With the gorge stretched before us in complete darkness, I put on my headlight as we face rough terrain. We head down the trail until we meet up with the man and the two officers. I talk to him for a minute just so I can hear his story firsthand. Maybe I can pick up on a clue that others have missed.

Bravo senses the gravity of the situation and wanders to a boulder. He barks, focused on the task at hand. He tugs on the twelve-foot leash, smelling something in the opposite direction. I wish we knew who we’re looking for so we can get a piece of clothing for Bravo to know the scent. However, Bravo is the best rescue dog I’ve worked with, and I trust his instincts. He moves fast through the rocks, and I call out, “Halt.” The last thing we need is to fall ourselves. It must have rained earlier because the rocks are slippery, and there’s mud in spots. “Slow.” Bravo heeds my orders but still goes faster than I want. My heart pounds as I realize he’s on to something. He’s consumed with the scent he’s latched onto as we go through some underbrush.

Bravo stops.

Bravo barks, standing on point at complete attention.

Two barks. He thinks he’s found her. I look around but don’t see anything. Tugging me to the left, Bravo looks back over his shoulders at me. My blood pumps furiously through my veins, hoping we’re close. As we round the corner, a figure lies twenty feet below, seemingly a woman from this vantage point. Now, we have to figure out how to get to her, and a rush of relief runs through me that I’ll be able to get home to Wynter soon.

I press the button on the emergency walkie talkie. “Eyes on the subject. We’re going to need a stretcher.” I shoot my flare even though I’m not that far from everyone else.

“Copy that. Medical personnel will follow you.”

“Seek,” I command. Bravo and I navigate the treacherous terrain as the darkness distorts every branch and bush. Since we’re no longer on a hiking path, the dense vegetation scratches against my jeans as the sounds of forest animals blanket the air. With each cautionary step, we get closer to the person who fell.

I call out, “Search and rescue. Can you hear me?” We’re probably about fifteen feet away. The fallen hiker doesn’t answer, so I glance over, and the medical team isn’t far behind me.

The next step I take, I feel something man-made shatter under my feet. Crouching down, I stare at a camera lens. Studying it between my fingers, it’s the same make and model of the new lens I bought for Wynter for Christmas.

No, it can’t be hers. Hundreds of people have this camera lens. It’s sold at the largest box store in E-town..

Suddenly, there’s an undercurrent of desperation in my limbs and voice. Oh God, it can’t be her. “Wynter. Wynter.”

Instead of Bravo leading me, I’m working furiously against nature to reach the fallen woman, hoping it’s not Wynter. But with Bravo’s training, he surges past me and barks twice.

Bending down with my headlamp directed on the woman, my heart stops—it’s her—my wife.

Chapter Four

Scott

Fear washes over me; I never expected to be searching for my wife. “No, no. no. Wynter, I’m here, babe. I’m here.” My throat closes, and panic sets in as I survey her body. Her arms are spread in opposite directions, and her leg appears broken with multiple cuts and scratches.

I check her for signs of life and turn her slightly. She’s breathing, but she’s unconscious. Rubbing her tangled hair off her face, I kiss her forehead and hold her head in my palm. “I’m here, babe. Fight for me. Fight for our baby girl. God, I love you so much.”

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