Page 51 of Clear Path

Aaron gulped and backed out of the room, headed for the porch to make the calls.

Bodhi gently rolled Rory onto her side to prevent aspiration if she vomited. After a torturously long moment, her seizure subsided and she went limp.

“Rory,” Bodhi called softly, touching her shoulder. “Can you hear me?”

Her eyelids fluttered, and a low moan escaped her lips.

“I need you to try to eat something sweet,” Bodhi said, holding a piece of apple to her mouth. “It will help.”

To his relief, she parted her lips slightly, allowing him to place the fruit on her tongue.

“Chew if you can,” he encouraged.

Aaron returned, his face ashen. “Diana’s on her way with Julie. The police and an ambulance on en route.”

Bodhi nodded, focusing on feeding Rory small bites of apple. Each piece she managed to swallow would help.

After a few minutes, her eyes opened more fully, light dawning in their blue depths.

“My camera …,” she murmured.

“I have it. It’s safe,” he assured her.

Her gaze drifted to the window, where moonlight streamed in. “Should have one more shot. The light ....”

“Rest now. Pictures later.”

But Rory’s expression turned urgent. “No, please. I need it.”

Bodhi nodded to Aaron. “Get her camera from my pack.”

While Aaron retrieved the camera, Bodhi carefully gathered Rory into his arms, supporting her weight as he lifted her to a seated position.

“What do you want to photograph?” he asked.

Her eyes, clearer now, focused on the window where the moon illuminated the rubble outside—all that remained of Company Row. “Me. The house. The last ones standing.”

Aaron handed Bodhi the camera, and he held it out, framing Rory against the moonlit window. Her pale face, the dried blood on her temple, and the determination in her eyes told a story more powerful than anything she could have staged.

Bodhi pressed the shutter just as headlights swept across the window. The sound of vehicles pulling up outside broke the moment.

Police Chief Ron Mercer was the first through the door, followed by a paramedic with a medical bag.

“Diana and Julie called. Ganged up on me and read me the riot act about not taking this seriously,” the police chief said in a chastened tone.

The paramedic checked Rory’s vital signs while Bodhi explained her condition.

“She has acute intermittent porphyria. She’s having an attack, complicated by a head injury.”

The medic nodded. “We need to get her down to Pittsburgh. It’s closest place with Level I trauma centers.”

“Can I ride with her?” Aaron asked.

The medic nodded. “If it’s okay with the patient.”

“Yes,” she whispered in a weak voice.

Ron jerked his head. “Come on, doc. I’ll give you a lift into town and you can fill me it on what in the Sam Hill happened.”

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