Page 14 of Red Hunt

“I’m Ryan, and this is Jake. So, what’s the deal? You hit her with your truck?”

I repeated what I knew of the situation while watching two other guys unpack a litter and prepare everything to rappel down to the woman.

“Hey, guys, mind if I come down with you?”

They both didn’t look thrilled about it. One of them examined the rope with which I had secured the woman and myself. “You used a Yosemite tie-off.”

I nodded and breathed through my antsiness. What was their damn problem? This wasn’t my first time out in the wilderness. And shouldn’t they focus on getting that woman up the hill instead of questioning what kind of bow I used to secure her?

“I guess you could climb down, tell her we’re coming.”

I nodded and made the descent for the third time. I arrived down by her side and she exhaled. Was she relieved I’d come back? Did she think I wouldn’t?

“Hey, the S&R guys are here. They will come down with a litter, and together we’ll get back up to the road. Okay? I just want you to be prepared. You don’t have to be scared.”

She nodded and roughly whispered, “Okay,” and grabbed my hand.

Then everything went without a hitch. We had her on the litter and up the slope in minutes. She groaned once or twice, and every time my insides clenched. If only I could take away the pain.

Once back up at the road, Alan took over. “Milli, what the hell happened? Oh dear.”

Milli.

So that was her name—sweet and young—it suited her.

9

MAX

I hovered just outside the ambulance where Alan examined her in the back. He opened her makeshift splints, then replaced the rope with wrap but left the cardboard.

“Milli, it’s hospital for you.”

Milli looked like she wanted to object, but Alan didn’t let her.

“Look, you need x-rays. You need to get properly evaluated. This is not up for discussion.” There was kindness in his eyes, but his voice was firm.

She snapped her mouth shut and nodded.

Good girl.

“Should I call Sharon or Tara?”

Milli hesitated. “I don’t think… Sharon is probably helping Blake close the bar right now, and Tara is sleeping. She’s working so hard, she needs to rest, so don’t wake her up. I’ll call them in the morning.”

“I will come to the hospital with you then.”

“No, you need to get home to your family.” She grabbed his hand. “I can do this alone…but thank you.”

She didn’t look like she could do this alone. But why, if the doc was so keen on having someone by her side, didn’t he call her parents? That would’ve been my first choice for a teenager or young adult.

“What about her parents?” As soon as it slipped from my lips, I knew it was a mistake. Milli flinched as if I’d slapped her, and Alan turned to me, his eyes blazing. I raised my hands and took a step back. Wow, major foot-in-mouth moment.

“I don’t need anyone. I can do this alone. Thank you very much.” She looked pissed. Sounded pissed, too. So, there was still a little fight left in her.

“Then I’ll visit in the morning.” Alan stepped outside, then nodded at Jake and Ryan, who stepped forward. They fastened her on the gurney and prepared the ambulance.

I hovered around.

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