Chapter 41—Split Up

The jeep skidded onto the dirt road near the trailhead. The door opened, and Ranger bolted out. The search team was already there, geared up and waiting. One of the searchers handed Joe a powerful headlamp.

"I only brought one," the searcher said, looking at James.

"That's okay," Joe said. "James here is going to stay with the jeep in case the kids show up from another direction."

"Good move. Hello James," the searcher said, reaching out to shake hands. "We're ready to launch, Joe."

"Let's go then." Joe moved toward the trail. "No time to lose. It'll be full dark soon." He looked around. "Where's Ranger?" The dog had disappeared.

"Probably to an animal trail," James said, zipping his fleece. "It's faster, I would guess."

"You're right. Animals rule out here."

James watched the five sturdy hikers and their packs disappear up the steep trail. For a while he could see lamp beams flickering up the hill. Then they disappeared. James pulled up his collar and stood close to the jeep. He crossed his fingers, hoping everybody would be found.

All the kids except Devin made it up the rope ladder without a problem. Devin had to stop often to rest. The pain of putting weight on his bad leg was excruciating and drained his energy. He finally made it to the top, drenched in sweat.

"I think we should let Devin rest a few minutes," Christina said, eyes narrowed with concern.

"I'm fine," Devin said through closed teeth. "We need to keep going." He pictured his family fretting around the kitchen table.

"I agree with Christina," Jake said, looking at Devin's graying complexion. "A few minutes won't make that much difference. We're already super late."

"Sit," Christina ordered, pointing down.

"All right. Just for a minute." Devin dropped clumsily onto a grassy spot next to a rock and stretched out his long legs while looking at the injured one.

"Geesh, look at all that blood," he said, as if seeing it for the first time. "Whoa...dizzy all of a sudden," he mumbled, and then slumped onto his back.

"Is he out?" Nikki asked, her voice was barely audible.

Christina felt his forehead then checked his pulse. "He's burning up but has a pulse, thank God. Devin, Devin," she called, and gently shook his shoulder. There was no response.

"He's lost blood. Even if he wakes up, I don't think he should go on."

"We can't just leave him here." Nikki looked at her phone for a time check. "I wish Ranger were here to stay with him. It's already eight-thirty."

"I'll stay with him," Christina said. "If he wakes up alone, he'll freak."

"Good idea," Jake said. "Joe's probably on his way with the search party. They do this kind of thing all the time. Nikki and I will race to the trailhead. We're a half hour away, maybe less. We can be back with a stretcher within about an hour." He looked at Christina. She was bent over Devin and putting a rapid cold pack over his injury.

"The tissue's pretty swollen," she said. "Maybe I can bring it down while we wait." She took Devin's hand in hers. It was hot.

Nikki realized Jake was right about Christina, who had seemed so different back at school, so lofty. In truth Nikki didn't know what they'd have done without her—her nursing skills, her courage. Nikki vowed to hold off making judgments about people. Until she got to know them, that is.

"You'd better get going." Christina motioned toward the road. "We'll be fine here." She sounded brave but could feel her insides turning to jelly.

"Keep the pole." Jake handed it to her.

"Why?" Christina glanced up, her face darkened as she surveyed the woods around them.

"You never know, just take it. It'll slow us down anyway."

Jake and Nikki turned and with a final wave sprinted toward the downhill trail. Jake hoped wild animals would not smell Devin's blood.