Page 108 of Cavern of Silence
Ryker looks around, finds our clothes, and we quickly dress. "Let me go first, in case anything isn't stable."
I nod, still shook up.
He kisses my forehead and cautiously walks to the ladder then holds his hand out. When I get to the spot he's at, he descends, and I follow.
"Please take me, Lord," the man recites in prayer. His legs and arms lay twisted and broken in at least one spot.
"What's he saying?" Ryker asks, horror on his face.
"He's praying for God to take him."
Ryker takes a deep breath and points toward the house we can now see, since the wall is no longer where it should be. "Ask him where the keys to his truck are so we can help him."
I ask.
He replies, "Pocket. My wife and children."
I tell Ryker.
He reaches into the man's pocket and pulls out his keys. "Tell him I'll go check on them and get his truck so we can take him back to the house."
"My sons..." the man mumbles.
"He says he has sons."
Ryker nods. "Don't move, Julieta. I don't know what is stable in here."
"Okay."
He leaves. I sit down next to the man. Since I don't know how to help him, I rub the side of his head and tell him help is on the way.
Tears stream down his cheeks. "My wife and children. Tell them I love them."
"Shh. You're going to be okay. Ryker will get help."
"Promise me you'll tell them."
"Okay, but you're not dying today."
He closes his eyes.
"Open your eyes," I cry.
He coughs and opens them halfway then shuts them again.
"Wake up," I yell, putting both my hands on each side of his face.
But he doesn't wake up. When Ryker returns, I'm leaning over him, begging him to wake up. His three teenage boys run up to us and loud wails come out of their mouths.
Ryker drags me off the man and outside the barn then holds me against his chest while I sob.
"Shh." He tries to console me.
When I stop crying, he pecks me on the lips, and I survey the farm.
A long, wide crack stretches across the crops. It is deep and goes as far as my eyes can see in both directions. "Oh my..."
Ryker holds my face. "There's a woman with a baby and several small children inside. The house seems solid, and they don't appear to be hurt, but I stopped them from coming. The mother and oldest boy speak English."
