Page 31 of Everybody Needs a Hero

“I’m going to go help,” Bryce said as Drew rushed by her.

“Good,” she replied. “Some people may be trapped and need rescuing.” Finding Tess already waiting for her at the rear of the vehicle, Drew liked that the woman had predicted what she would do.It’s because of the baby emergency,she thought.And from that experience, I know she’ll be a level head.

Popping open the back of the car, she noticed Ashley’s pale face looked at them over the seat. “What happened?” Ashley asked in a whisper. “I could hear but not see.”

“The onramp collapsed,” Tess replied. “And I think some people are injured.”

Drew nodded. “That’s my concern too,” she said. “Stay in the car Ashley.” Drew worried a little that the young woman may go into shock. One tragedy after another was taking its toll. “Tess, can you stay here with Ashley, please? Bryce and I are going to go help.”

“No.” Ashley surprised her by saying, “I’m going too. I know…” The woman hesitated before taking a deep breath. “I know I’ve been acting scared, but I want to help. I can’t just sit here.”

Not wanting to take any more time, Drew nodded. “Then let’s go,” she said, putting the black duffle bag’s strap across her body before jogging in the direction of the smashed cars. As the others went with her, in the distance, she heard sirens and wondered what else had collapsed during the earthquake. There were undoubtedly disasters like the one ahead of her all over the city. The hospital emergency departments would be overrun with injured people. Even though they ran annual drills around an earthquake scenario, there were only so many hands to help. A part of her wished she was there, but she forced that idea out of her head. There were injured people who needed her, and they were her priority.

Approaching the worst of the disaster, others were scattered around working to free people trapped in the massive pile of concrete and twisted metal. Bryce started to join them, but Drew put a hand on her arm. “Wait one second,” she said, recognizing problems already. No one appeared to be working together. Looking around for anyone who emerged to take charge, there wasn’t anyone obvious although people had gathered to watch. As she heard people moaning, some crying, there was no time to waste. “Climb on top of that car. Get the crowd’s attention and ask anyone with medical or first aid experience to come to me.”

Bryce nodded. “Okay,” she said, ready to go but Drew held on to her. “Wait. I need you to tell others to rally to you to start an organized search. Find who’s trapped, then try to assess who is hurt the most or in the most immediate danger.” She gave the woman a push. “Go.”

WatchingBryce vault onto the top of the sedan, Ashley couldn’t help but be impressed even in the chaos as the Marine took charge. For a moment after she overheard Drew’s instructions, she worried people might ignore her and refuse to help. That proved unwarranted. When Bryce spoke, it wasn’t a yell necessarily, but a booming command, and the group stopped talking to listen. As Bryce told them what to do, people reacted as if they had been waiting to help. Immediately, a search team formed while others went to where Drew stood in an open patch of sidewalk. It was a small space, but everything else was jampacked with vehicles jumbled bumper-to-bumper. Soon, a half dozen people stood with Ashley and Tess, waiting for instruction. Although Ashley had no medical or first aid training and her mother didn’t either, there must be some way they could help.

Waiting while Drew surveyed the volunteers for skills, Ashley worked to keep her fears in check. Any second, she expected the ground to shake again.Just breathe,she told herself.Everything is going to be okay.Finally, Drew pointed at Ashley and Tess. “I want you to split up and start going from car to car around the area,” she said. “Check in on people. There have been a few fender-benders, and I know some people, once out of their cars, fell, but there might be things we don’t expect too. If anyone needs attention, help them get back here.”

“And if they can’t walk?” Ashley asked while her mother nodded beside her.

“See what you can determine is wrong and then come tell me,” Drew said and looked hard at Ashley. “Are you going to be able to do what I’m asking? There’s a chance someone could be badly hurt.”

Lifting her chin, knowing Drew might doubt her because of how she reacted to things lately, Ashley met her stare. “I won’t let you down.”

“Good,” Drew said with a nod before turning to the others. Ashley didn’t wait to hear anymore and waded into the jam of cars and trucks.

A few rows back was a trapped school bus. “I’m going to go check the school bus,” she said to her mom still beside her. “What are you thinking?”

Tess pointed in the opposite direction from the school bus. “Starting here and walking down the center lane as far as I need to.” Suddenly, she pulled Ashley into a hug. “Thank you for being so brave.”

Ashely hugged her back. “You too, Mom,” she said. “We’re lucky to be okay. I have to help.”

With a slight nod, Tess broke away and started toward the first open car window. Ashley did the same in the direction of the bus. The first three cars Ashley stopped at the people were scared but physically fine. In the fourth was an elderly woman with white hair sitting behind the wheel of a baby-blue Cadillac. From the look of the fins along the back, the car wasn’t only older than Ashley, but older than her mom. “Hi, I’m Ashley,” she said as she approached the window. “Are you okay?”

The woman cranked the window down. “Hello, Ashley. Nice to meet you. I’m Iris. Other than stuck in my car, I’m fine,” she said. “I can’t even open my door.” She lowered her voice. “And I need to pee.”

“I can understand that being a problem,” Ashley said. “Let me see if I can get you out.” Glancing around, she realized the woman was right. Iris was trapped. Cars on both sides of her had stopped too close, blocking her doors. Unfortunately, the other cars looked blocked in themselves. Turning back to Iris, she had an idea. The car windows of the Cadillac were huge. “With my help, do you think you could climb out the window?”

“You know, I thought about that,” Iris said. “But was afraid I’d slip and break a hip. Might work if you hang on to me, though.” She looked Ashley up and down. “You look pretty strong.” Without waiting for confirmation, she grabbed the steering wheel for leverage and started climbing out. “Sorry, but I really need to go.”

Moving to take her arm, Ashley helped her get free from the car. “Well, that worked,” Ashley said as soon as Iris stood beside her. “Can you make it from here?”

Patting Ashley’s arm, Iris was already moving. “Oh, I can make it, dear. I’m a SilverSneaker,” she said. “I can walk for miles.”

25

Bryce stood with the group she had gathered and watched a man in a red shirt who earlier introduced himself as Allen come huffing and puffing back to the circle of four men and two women. She was shocked to see he carried a full-sized yellow crowbar. “You carry that in your truck all the time?” Bryce asked, pleased that they would have the tool to help. So far, they were working with a half dozen heavy-duty carjacks and a few coils of rope.

“Well, yeah,” Allen answered with a puzzled frown. “We live in earthquake country. Doesn’t everyone have one?”

Unfortunately not,Bryce thought but made a mental note to add a smaller version to her truck’s toolkit.Assuming I have another truck anytime soon. “Right,” Bryce said. “Good thinking.” She waved for everyone to step a little closer so she could explain the game plan. “Here’s the strategy. We stretch out in a line about six feet apart or two arm lengths. Then, we step in unison, so no inch is left unchecked. And step carefully. Stuff could shift under you in a second.”

One of the other women in the group nodded. “And we listen, right?” she asked. “For someone calling for help.”

Bryce nodded. “Exactly. Although they might not be able to talk, so listen for crying, moaning, or anything that makes you think a person is nearby.”

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