Page 5 of The Hotshot's Prize
“Okay. That’s fine. You’re doing great,” I say, keeping my tone calm. Calm is everything. “I’ve got you. I’m gonna get you out of there. Just hang tight, alright?”
She nods quickly, but her sweet face twists like she’s trying not to cry. A flare of protectiveness goes off in my chest at the sight.
I swing off my pack and yank open the outer flap. Rope, harness, carabiners…all there. Thank goodness I don’t run without gear. And that I like to run off-trail. One twist of fate and she’d still be screaming into the void out here, and no one would’ve heard her.
“Alright, listen to me,” I say, feeding rope through my gloves as fast as I can. “I’m lowering a harness down to you. I need you to put it on, exactly how I tell you. Do you think you can do that?”
She peers up at me, her lip quivering. “I—I don’t know. I’ve never—” Her voice breaks and she shakes her head. “I don’t think I can do this.”
I can hear the panic in her voice. I see it in her tight grip on the rock, in the way her breathing shortens into shallow little bursts. I feel a sudden urge to wrap her trembling body in my arms until she knows she’s safe again.
Fuck.
Focus.
I lower my voice. “Hey. Hey, look at me.”
She complies. Barely.
“You’re safe now, alright? I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. Just breathe with me. Can you do that?”
Her mouth opens. Closes. Then she nods, once.
“Good,” I say gently. “Breathe in through your nose. Nice and slow. One…two…now let it out.”
We do it together. Once. Twice.
Her shoulders start to loosen. A little. It’s not much, but it’s enough.
“That’s it,” I say. “You’re doing great.”
She sniffles and swipes at her cheek with the back of her hand.
“I’m Zack,” I add, trying to keep her grounded. “What’s your name?”
“Ella,” she whispers.
“Okay, Ella. I’m gonna drop this harness down to you. I’ll walk you through it. All you have to do is follow my voice. You don’t have to do anything else, alright? I’ve got you.”
She nods again, eyes locked on mine now. Still scared, but focused. A little steadier.
I lower the harness slowly, using the cliffside to guide the rope. It sways once in the wind, but it lands right next to her. She grabs it with shaking fingers.
“Good. Now slip one leg through each loop. Then pull the waist strap around and buckle it in the front. Just like putting on a backpack in reverse.”
It takes a minute. Her fingers fumble, but she doesn’t give up. I watch every movement, ready to call out if she messes something up. But she doesn’t.
“You’re doing perfect, Ella. Almost there.”
Finally, she looks up. “Okay. I think I’ve got it.”
“Alright. I’m going to pull you up now. It might feel a little weird, but I’ll go slow. Just keep your back against the wall and let me do the work.”
She bites her bottom lip and nods.
I brace my feet, dig in with everything I’ve got, and start hauling. She’s light, but the angle’s awkward. My muscles scream as I pull, hand over hand, inch by inch. The harness creaks against the rope. She scrapes once against the rock and lets out a soft gasp that nearly undoes me, but she doesn’t panic.
Good girl.
