Page 38 of Thin Ice

Hannah coughed and sputtered. Chris turned her on her side as water came out of her mouth.

Hannah was alive. Abby turned to where she’d left Brookes. He still wasn’t conscious. She ran to his side and knelt beside Oliver who was trying to get the wound to stop bleeding.

“He must have fallen forward on impact. The seatbelt reopened the wound. Everything’s soaked.” Oliver dug through the medical supplies. Produced soggy gauze. “It’s the best I can do. I sure hope the people meeting us have something we can use. I’d hate for the wound to become infected. If that happens, it could lead to sepsis.”

His life would be in danger. He might die. She couldn’t lose Brookes. Not like this. Not to Legion.

Oliver finished treating the wound and packed it as best he could. “That’s all I can do for now.”

“Thanks, Oliver.” Abby sank beside Brookes and held his hand. “Wake up, Brookes. We need you. I need you. I love you.”

Victor stopped beside her. “How is he?”

She scrubbed back tears and faced him. “Not good.”

“I hate to add to your burden, but we’re without transportation and we need to get your friend’s people to rescue us. And soon.”

Abby pulled herself together. “You’re right.” She searched for the phone, but it was nowhere. She rose quickly. “Does anyone have a phone?”

Nick came over and handed her his.

“Thanks.” Her hands shook so much that it took several tries to get the correct number. Abby waited through several rings before he answered. “James, we need help.” She told him about what happened and gave him their last location.

“I’ll reroute my people to you using this phone’s tracking capability. In the meantime, stay out of sight. Legion will have men in the area.”

“Thanks, James.” She ended the call. “You heard him. We need to get out of sight.” She rose and searched for a good place to hide out. “Those woods. It’s freezing out. Maybe the trees will provide a barrier from the cold.”

A noise close had her whipping around. Brookes slowly opened his eyes. Relief made her limbs weak and she dropped down beside him. “Welcome back.” She smiled with tears in her eyes.

“What happened? The bridge.”

“It fell apart on us. The SUV went into the water. Help is on the way. We just have to stay hidden until they arrive.”

Brookes slowly sat. “Let me help you.” Abby motioned to Victor who assisted her in lifting Brookes to his feet.

Together, they helped him to the woods and out of the bone-chilling wind.

Brookes was shivering uncontrollably.

“He’s freezing. We have to find a way to warm him up,” Abby said.

“I have a lighter in the medical bag, but do we dare risk a fire?” Chris said.

“We don’t have a choice.” Abby looked around. “Let’s go deeper into the woods so the trees can block the smoke from view.”

They moved to an area piled high with snow.

“Here should be good. Help me dig out a spot to build the fire.”

Everyone pitched in, and before long there was a spot big enough to make the fire. Snake and Victor searched for wood and came back with armfuls.

They piled the wood and Chris found some paper to use as kindling. The fire caught after a slow start. Everyone gathered around.

“Our extraction team is on their way.” Abby told them all. “Until then, let’s keep our eyes open. Legion could be anywhere.”

Snake glanced back. “Did anyone else hear that?”

Silence fell and Abby heard it too. A vehicle. “Someone’s coming.” The good news was anyone coming this way wouldn’t be able to cross the bridge, but there was no way they wouldn’t see their tracks.

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