CHAPTER 10
A bright red spot contrasting against the blue-green water made them take a second look.
"That's them!" Saint John said excitedly.
Gordon reduced the speed to a stationary hover and opened the left door. Saint John let down the rope ladder, but , to his dismay, no one climbed up. He started down the ladder, earnestly hoping Gordon could be as trusted as he seemed to be.
Chance stared down at the blue-green water. "Daddy," he cried.
Horrified, Saint John knew what that probably meant. He dove into the icy water; the salt stung his eyes, but he wouldn't come back until he had looked, he just had to know for sure. Here was a sandbar beneath them and he could see his brother's lifeless body drifting toward the bottom. He came up for a quick gulp of air then dove back down. Just now reaching the bottom, String's body came into full contact with the sandy underground bottom ten feet below. Saint John wrapped his arm around his brother's chest and propelled himself off the bottom to the surface. He sucked in a grateful breath of air, then struggled to the ladder dragging his brother along behind. With a great deal of effort, he pulled String up out of the water and hefted him inside.
Gordon reached down to help haul the limp body in.
"One down, two more to go." Next he hauled Caitlin inside. Breathing hard by now, he went back to retrieve the last one. At least Chance was smaller and lighter.
Chance had no qualms about leaving the water and readily allowed his uncle to remove his life vest and carry him up the swinging rope ladder.
Dropping heavily into the engineer's seat, Saint John, exhausted, settled Chance into the jump seat then went to check on his parents.
"How are they?" Gordon asked, already directing them toward the nearest hospital.
Caitlin coughed and opened exhausted hazel eyes taking in her surroundings. "Saint John," she immediately realized it was he who had rescued them and hugged him appreciatively. "I'm so glad to be out of that salty, cold ocean."
"Really? Looked to me like you were having a nice nap and you sure didn't help any when it was time to get out," Saint John said trying to lighten the atmosphere.
"Sorry. I can't even say it was a very restful nap. Do you have a towel or blanket or something?" She asked shivering, "or even something other than salt water to drink?"
Saint John handed over the canteen. "We don't have any blankets now, but we'll get you one and a change of clothes soon."
"Thanks," she thanked appreciatively. Realization hit her fast and hard though. If she had passed out, then string must have had to- "Is String alright?" Caitlin questioned worriedly from her new position at the front.
"I hope so," Saint John replied gravely as he tried to revive his brother.
Suddenly Hawke began hacking violently, heaving seawater between each cough, trying to draw in a breath of air to his oxygen starved body. After nearly a minute of continuous coughing, he finally drew in a full breath. Panting heavily, he huddled himself together in his position on the floor.
"Man, I wish I had blankets," Saint John murmured to himself.
"It's alright," Caitlin replied.
Saint John looked down at String's cloudy blue eyes, staring forward but not really seeing, too lost in his own little world, and hoped he would be alright.
"Approaching the hospital," Gordon announced. "Do you want me to get the doctor or stay with them/"
"Doctor please," Saint John requested.
"No problem," Gordon answered, landing smoothly on the hospital roof. "I'll be right back."
Gordon returned momentarily with a doctor and group of nurses.
"Your friend here told me everything seemed to be ok, but you want to get them checked over?"
"That's right, doctor," Saint John answered.
"Alright. Let's bring them in.".