Chapter 11

Sully had been kept updated on Michaela's progress. He knew she'd located the child. He was aware that she was inching her way back to the gap in between the rocks. He should be able to see her feet real soon although that was not quick enough for his liking. He was keeping the rope he had tied around her waist slack enough for her to move. The last time she had spoken her voice seemed strained which had concerned him greatly. The exertion would be a terrible effort for her dragging the child while wriggling backwards; he knew this from his previous time in the fire and rescue services. She was only slightly built herself.

He couldn't wait to hold her close again. He knew she now knew what he had known the past weeks. She meant the world to him. Suddenly an ominous rumble was heard from deep underground bringing him instantly into the present as the earth heaved beneath his feet. He was thrown to the ground and as suddenly as it commenced it was all over; the shaking ceased.

"Michaela!" Sully yelled diving towards the opening that had been there seconds before. Now there was nothing - only more rubble. Instantly feeling sick he knew he couldn't lose her now, he just couldn't go through that all over again. He clawed at the rocks heaving them out of the way; he had to find her. Matthew was there suddenly as well as Brian, both boys helping as best as they could but they were all falling over each other. This brought Sully back from his state of panic, explaining to the boys that as he and Matthew were the strongest they'd do the digging and Brian would roll the rocks out of the way. Like Mike had told him of her progress he had updated the boys telling them she was bringing their sister out, leaving out the fact that she had verified Matthew's previous earlier fears about their parents. So the boys were just as eager to help get their sister out as well as the kind lady doctor.

It seemed like hours ticking away as if in slow motion to the three working feverously with their bare hands moving the debris but seeming to be making no head way what so ever. Sully's breathing was becoming laboured with all the exertion he was putting into finding Michaela. He tried to remain upbeat in his mind but it was being really difficult, yet he was not about to give up. He would do everything in his power to save them. He'd give his own life if needs be.

Matthew was beginning to lag as they had been heaving boulders for about five minutes and suddenly Sully saw Michaela's shoe. He was like a man possessed as he worked even more quickly. Finding her covered in dust and unconscious he gingerly moved her to discover the girl as well, laying under her. His heart was like a stallion in full flight; had he reached her in time? Was she badly hurt? He dusted dirt and small stones from the thick auburn hair covering her face for he needed to see her face. She was pale but there was colour there. Relieved, he took in a deep staggering breath.

Then more adrenalin kicked in as he moved Michaela and the girl clear of the land slide, assessing them both as best as he could for any injuries. Colleen had on a neck collar that Mike must have applied before moving her. Apart from that she was breathing okay, her pulse was weakened but steady and she was still unconscious. He rolled her into a recovery position and instructed Matthew to keep his eye on her and instantly tell Sully if there was any change. Sully then concentrated on Michaela. He couldn't believe it: his mind and reactions were crystal clear; all his ambulance training just took over automatically over riding his emotional connection to her. There was a trickle of blood near her hair line but he could find no other obvious injuries. Therefore he decided she was knocked unconscious by a falling stone. He had used the two blankets from the car to haul them clear; now he covered both victims, trying to offset shock that could kick in as well.

The boys reactions were mixed: Brian full of questions that couldn't be truthfully answered at this precise moment and Matthew was a sullen silent type, being the responsible big brother he was chastising his younger sibling to just be quiet. Sully didn't mind Brian's babbling though as it kept him from being all consumed with the fear he was experiencing as he watched for a sign, any sign that Michaela may be rousing from her unconscious state.

Alighting on an idea he called the young lad over. "Brian I need ya' to do somethin' for me," he said.

"Anything, Mr Sully."

"Good. I want ya' to gather anythin' that'll burn. We need to be makin' a fire as we won't be movin' tonight. Can ya' do that? But don' go too far; keep us in sight and while ya out, see if ya' can see any water, okay?" Sully requested patting the boy on the shoulder continuing, "Good lad."

He was aware that Colleen may have been in and out of consciousness in the car over the past couple of days. There was no knowing but Sully did know she needed fluids quickly as she would be dehydrating. His training had included intravenous infusions but he had never actually performed the procedure himself. He found some bags of glucose, the tubing and butterfly clips in Michaela's medical bag that she had discarded before going into the small opening in the beginning. Cautiously he inserted the needle, then securely strapped it into the young girl's hand and commenced the drip, hoping this would assist her recover. He finished his task with stabbing a tall stick into the ground and attaching the bag to that, always looking towards the beautiful doctor who had stolen his heart in little over a few weeks his heart leapt when she moaned.

Jumping up he raced over to her, dropping onto his knees and anxiously watched as she moaned again. She didn't open her eyes though; she remained unconscious. There must be something wrong and he thought, "Why would you moan when ya' unconscious, what is wrong with ya?"

He knelt there praying to whoever would listen, "Please! Please! Make her be all right, don't take her away from me too." He knew Cloud Dancing spoke to the spirits and he implored that his brother would also hear his plea and ask his spirits to intervene as well.

Brian suddenly appeared with a large bundle of sticks and wood that could be used to light a fire. He said he had some more to fetch and off he scooted once again.

Matthew's head had drifted onto his chest when Sully looked in the direction of the two unconscious women. He could feel only pity for the boy trying so desperately to be a man. He walked over and gently placed his hand on his shoulder. Matthew jumped, jerking his head up instantly looking straight into the compassionate eyes of Sully.

"Ya' exhausted lay down near ya' sister for awhile," Sully suggested.

"No! I'm okay," the stubborn young lad insisted.

"Ya'll be no good to me tonight if ya' don't rest now," Sully insisted. "Ta' morrow Matthew, I gotta' fly the chopper back outa' here so's I'll need ta' rest as well. I need ya' ta' rest now ta' help me then."

An exhausted Matthew saw that the man was serious and lay down near his sister and was immediately asleep. Sully smiled to himself. "Good."

...

Sully maintained a vigil after lighting a fire to keep the chilly night air off them all. Colleen showed a slight improvement as her pulse rate improved. He thought it was the fluids she was now receiving. There was little to eat as they had not expected to be out over night. Sully was impressed as the boys didn't complain, telling they'd taken packets of chips from the car the first day. Sully felt sure though they were hungry as all growing boys thought about nothing else bar for their stomaches.

He'd bade Matthew and Brian to sleep close to their sister and cover themselves over with the blankets he had found. A couple of light weight silver emergency blankets in the medical kit Dr Mike had brought were a great help, too. After spreading them out he'd placed Colleen and the boys on one and Michaela on the other. This would serve to prevent the cold seeping up through the earth and making them colder during the night.

He'd told Matthew he'd rouse him around mid night to take the watch. Fortunately Brian had *scavenged enough wood to last most of the night. They had replenished their water bottle from a slight stream of water trickling out of the hill side a short distance away that Brian had discovered looking for anything that would burn. They all knew it was going to be an extremely cold and uncomfortable night.

Finally Sully gingerly slid in behind the Doctor covering them with the other blanket, knowing their combined body heat would keep her warmer during the long cold night ahead.

...

*Scavenge...search for usable objects or material among rubbish or discarded things...Australian Oxford Dictionary.