Chapter 48—The Reunion

The jeep raced toward the trailhead for the second time that day. Nikki sat in front and stared out the window. She had insisted on staying with Joe after dropping off the searchers.

"But your mom wants to see you," Joe said.

She sniffed. "I know, but I have to see my friends first."

Joe had relented. The kids had been through a lot, and her dad would be at the hospital anyway.

As they approached the trailhead, they saw Christina and Jake waving from the roadside. The jeep had barely stopped when Nikki jumped out and ran right into a group hug. Ranger leaped out behind her and started barking around the circle of friends.

"We need to get going," Joe said. "Before visiting hours are over."

The three let go of each other and clambered into the jeep. Ranger bounded into the back, whining with joy. Soon they would all be together, the best cure for what they had endured.

Joe pulled into the emergency entrance of the Happy Valley hospital. "You guys get out here," he said. "I'll get back to your moms and you can all ride back with your dad, Nikki."

"We will," she said, stifling a groan. She wasn't looking forward to facing her father, or for that matter, any of the parents. She and her friends still needed to make a plan to get back with the crystals for the full moon.

The threesome rushed up to the emergency room desk and spoke to the tall male nurse on duty. His nametag said CJ Creed, RN. Nikki spoke up. "Mr. CJ, we're looking for Devin Duncan. He was brought in by helicopter from Scouter Mountain."

"Hello," CJ said with a displeased tone. "Are you the kids who went hiking in those forbidden tunnels?" Forbidden? Nikki looked at Jake.

"We...didn't know they were forbidden," Jake said. "We never saw any signs."

"There may be no signs, but everyone around here knows they're unsafe. We've treated many a hurt miner in this hospital." He stared down at Jake, whose head was more than a foot beneath him.

CJ's penetrating black eyes then turned to Nikki. "And your father, missy, is right worried about you kids, traipsing around inside those dangerous tunnels." Nikki's face turned red, and she looked down the hall, hoping her father wouldn't turn up right now.

Equipment beeped and pinged around them. People sat wearily waiting to be seen as stretchers rolled by. Nikki wondered how long they'd have to endure CJ's interrogation.

Jake lifted his chest. "Can we see our friend? Is he okay?"

CJ shrugged and pointed down the hall. "Room 117, last door on the right. He's awake." He returned to his computer screen and went on working as if they'd never been there.

The trio turned and walked fast toward room 117. The door was closed, and they peered in through the glass window. Devin lay on the bed staring outside, oblivious to all the tubes and wires connected to his body. Multiple needles were stuck in both arms, bringing fluids and nutrients into his bloodstream. His injured leg was heavily bandaged and sat high on a mountain of pillows. A clamp gripped two fingers on his right hand and was connected to a wire that led to a machine that beeped louder than the others. No one else was in the fluorescent-lit room.

Nikki knocked lightly, and Devin's head twisted in their direction. He smiled. Jake opened the door, grabbed Christina's and Nikki's hands, and together they approached Devin's bed.

Christina stared through watery eyes. "You look so much better."

"Much better now," Devin said. "Up and running in no time." His voice was weak.

"Really?" Nikki looked at his leg and the noisy machines. "We have to get back and I'm afraid you'll never make it down the rope ladder. The crystals should still work from a distance away, but how far away, we have no idea."

Jake sat down on the edge of Devin's bed and turned to Nikki. "You said it might work from the resting rock." Then he turned to Devin. "But even so, you'd still have to hike up Scouter." Everyone exchanged looks of concern.

"You're not going without me, guys," Devin said. "Not after all this." He shook his leg back and forth. "I can use a pole for support."

Christina clutched her pendant and leaned in. "When are they letting you out? That has a lot to do with our decision."

"There is no decision. I'm going," Devin said. "Nikki, your dad said I could go home tomorrow as long as I rest and take the antibiotics. The infection will clear up."

"What about walking?" Jake asked. "Can you put weight on the leg?"

"Not yet, but I will." He clenched his teeth. "I'm going with you guys. Period."

Nikki's creased brow showed she was worried, but she said, "Okay, Devin, whatever you say."

Devin sat up straighter. "Let's make a plan before my parents get back."