Chapter 12

Michaela startled when she looked at her wrist watch and realized she had slept for almost three hours. Sitting up she strained her ears but the voices she'd heard when she'd settled for some rest were gone now. Puzzled for a moment she listened carefully again and thought she heard something from a far distance. Sitting idly wouldn't help if she wanted to know where everyone was and so she got up and made her way to the small sandy place that Daniel had declared the main area. She didn't expect to see anyone there but hoped to find a message because it was apparent now that the camp was deserted.

Just as she remembered that Sully had told her they would go swimming in the afternoon she saw him sitting cross-legged before his tent. He spotted her at the same moment and rose to his feet.

Michaela didn't know that he had checked on her a few times; first when lunch was ready. She'd slept so peacefully that he didn't have the heart to wake her. He'd made her two sandwiches and put them into their makeshift cooler down at the creek for it was pretty hot again. The second time he went up to the cave was when it was decided they would finally go swim. She'd turned on her other side by now but was still out.

Sully had considered her, wondering what she would think worse: if he woke her or if he let her slumber. Since it was his decision he left her alone; after all, she'd had two hard days and sleep never hurt. He'd shown Daniel the closest place on the map that would serve their purpose, and his friend had taken the group half a mile through the young trees to where the creek discharged into the lake and swimming would be possible.

It was only half an hour ago that he took a look at her again. She hadn't changed her position and her relaxed face still sported dark rings beneath her eyes which appealed to his instinct to protect her. He didn't believe he was much of a judge of character but to him it seemed that hers combined strength and vulnerability. This odd mix drew him to her in an inexplicable way. He wasn't prepared for such feelings; he didn't want to hope again for this would irrevocably lead to his failure like it had before. He'd ruined so many lives already that he wondered why people still endured his presence at all.

In the end he'd decided to give her another hour, and now that she was here even sooner they had still enough time for joining the others.

"Hey," he said as she stood before him. "Well rested?"

She blushed like a schoolgirl and he realized that she was more than a bit embarrassed that she'd slept so long. He could tell that she was looking for a reason that would make her look less lazy so he quickly asked, "Ya hungry? I got…"

"Maybe later," she said, still flustered. "I don't feel like eating right now."

Sully eyed her critically but already knew that she wouldn't change her mind.

"Wanna have a swim? It's not far away," he suggested instead.

A spark in her eyes told him she enjoyed the idea, and she affirmed nodding, "I'd like that."

Yet Sully didn't react. He'd already looked at her so many times even with her standing closer before him than at this moment but only now did he see that her eyes were of different colors. He almost gaped and only when her expression grew questioning did he catch himself. This woman never ceased to amaze him and he was almost ready to give up resisting the pull she had on him.

"I… uh… I'll just grab a towel," he managed and entered his tent as if on the run.

If Michaela was puzzled she didn't show it. "Would you mind waiting a minute for me? I'd like to change into my bathing suit," she called after him.

"Sure," he replied from behind the canvas walls, "Take your time."

He was, naturally, ready sooner than her, and while he waited he hoped she wouldn't wear one of those tiny bikinis that made a woman look as if naked. But when she emerged it was even worse. Her glaring red swimsuit didn't reveal much skin but it underlined her figure in a way that made Sully swallow hard. Much to his relief she put her towel around her waist, fastening one of its ends so that it looked like a skirt. He wanted to tell her that she should take something to change in for after she swam but asked instead, "Ready?"

Michaela almost burst with excitement when she said, "Ready."

They were used to walking one after the other, yet having his argument with Daniel still fresh in mind Sully was especially careful as he chose the way, always making sure she was close behind him. They could hear splashing water already and laughter and chattering when suddenly a shriek pierced the air, followed by a sudden deadly silence.

Michaela's instinct as a doctor was immediately on full alert and she began to run. She was confirmed when she heard her name being shouted from somebody hurrying in their direction.

"Dr. Mike!" It was Jon who stopped her as he came to a halt before her, out of breath. "You gotta come quick! It's my sister."

"What happened?" Michaela enquired, searching the young man's face. He was obviously in a panic, and she tried to make him focus on her. "Jon?" she asked again.

"There was a bee in the cake and she was bitten and now her face is swelling…" he trailed off, looking at her imploringly, "help her, please."

Dumbfounded, Sully watched this exchange. It wasn't so much that there was obviously an accident, that would register only seconds later, but why had Jon called her Dr. Mike?

She didn't give him time to digest what he'd just heard when she turned to him, requesting in an urging tone, "Would you get my medical bag from my tent, please?"

"What…" he stammered, still not comprehending.

"It's the black case," Michaela explained, already following Jon. When Sully still didn't budge she added, "The one that looks like a laptop. Hurry!"

Her exclamation finally put him into motion. Since he thought it too disturbing to contemplate what he might have understood he wiped every thought about her off his mind. One of his students was hurt, that was all that mattered at the moment.

He reached the others only shortly after Michaela who had taken off her wrist watch and was already on her knees next to the young woman, gently prodding her face that was red and swollen. Ingrid's lips held a bluish tinge, and although her eyes were still open it was apparent that she didn't see anything. She was reduced to a living creature that was struggling to get air into her lungs. Her breathing was shallow and everyone could see that she wouldn't be able to do it much longer.

"Put it here," Michaela said without looking up. She simply knew that Sully was right behind her and pointed to the spot next to her.

Sully complied and attempted to open the bag. He didn't succeed, and Michaela gently brushed his hands away. She had taken precautions so no one but her was able to have access to her drugs and instruments. With a few quick movements she opened the bag, took out a gauze dressing and put it next to Ingrid's neck.

"Has someone called 911?" she asked, her eyes never leaving her patient while her hands kept working. After pulling over rubber gloves she sprayed disinfectant on the front of the girl's neck when one of the young men reported, "No, here's no reception."

"Keep trying," Michaela retorted. "I know there's a dam a few miles north. I'm sure they can use their cell phones there."

"We can get contact by radio," Daniel said and took off on full speed, angry with himself that he hadn't thought of that right away.

As Michaela poised a scalpel to cut straight across the front of her patient's throat Colleen began to sob, turning her head into Jon's chest. Matthew, who kneeled on Ingrid's other side clutching her hand looked at the doctor in horror. "What are ya doin'?" he demanded, ready to stop her.

"It's called a tracheotomy. It will help her breathing," she said, sounding absentmindedly because she already made the incision.

Everyone but Sully and Daniel turned away, fearing the blood they were certain would flow but there were only a few drops. Michaela quickly inserted a small tube into the opening, and after taking in two more unsteady breaths Ingrid's chest began to heave more regularly again. However, Michaela wasn't done yet. She took a small device that looked like a magic marker from her bag, pulled off the cap and revealed a syringe. She didn't hesitate to administer the shot.

"Does she know she is allergic to bee bites?" she asked, only briefly glancing at Matthew because she was waiting for Ingrid's reaction.

"Don't think so," Matthew mumbled, his eyes glued to his girlfriend's face.

"From now on, she should have an epipen with her all the time," Michaela advised.

"Will she make it?" Doubt and hope fought for the upper hand in Colleen's voice as she asked what everyone wanted to know.

Michaela didn't reply right away because she was examining Ingrid again. After giving her another shot she pulled out her stethoscope, listening to the racing heartbeat. She waited until it slowed down somewhat, and only then did she look up.

"We will do our best," she assured the young woman before she turned to Sully. "I'm sure they will send a helicopter. Where is the closest place for it to land?"

"I need to look at the aerial photo," he replied, hoping that Daniel still had it in his pocket. A map wouldn't help since it didn't show the spots that were bare of trees.

It was then that they heard Daniel returning; he was talking while running towards the group gathered around Michaela and Ingrid.

"I'll give ya the doc," Daniel said handing Michaela the small radio.

While she reported the situation to her colleague on the other end, Sully asked his friend in an urging tone, "Ya got the pic?"

Daniel nodded, already prepared for searching for a suitable spot because he had been told to do so by the administrator.

"Here," Sully said, pointing at a place next to the forest road about half a mile away from where they were standing.

"Yep, that's a good one," Daniel agreed.

Sully didn't have to ask for the radio, Michaela already held it out to him. "We will need a stretcher so we can transport Ingrid without doing her even more harm," she quietly told him, only allowing him to see the concern in her eyes for the fraction of a second. Then she turned back to her patient who was conscious again but panicking. Since reassuring words alone didn't help Michaela prepared another syringe with a medicine that would calm Ingrid down.

While Sully still talked into the radio Daniel advised the students to look for something they could use for making a stretcher with the help of the blanket that Colleen had brought for taking a sunbath on it.

It soon became clear though that they wouldn't succeed: young trees didn't lose branches long and strong enough to serve as poles. Thus two of the students ran back to the camp to get some.

All in all, it took them twenty minutes until they were on their way. Sully was in the lead, consulting the picture and a small compass now and then. He was followed by Michaela who preceded Matthew and Jon carrying Ingrid on the stretcher. The young men had insisted in doing so and Daniel had given up offering his help. The other students were behind him; they had refused to go back to the camp. All the time they made their way across the uneven, stony ground they heard the helicopter; first as it came closer, then how it circled above the forest road ahead of them where it eventually landed.

A few minutes later they reached it and everyone but Michaela stepped back when the EMTs took over. They instantly put Ingrid on their stretcher, and after Michaela had told them her findings and treatment they applied an infusion. Then they lifted the patient into the helicopter and Michaela was ready to get in as well.

But Matthew called her name which made her turn around, and when the young man pleaded to let him go with his girlfriend, she hesitated. She looked back at the EMTs and one of them said, "It's fine. We take over from here."

She nodded and took a step back. Two minutes later the helicopter was in the air again.


I'm sorry, but you will have to wait for the next chapter 2 weeks this time because I will be out of town with my guest for almost a fortnight and I won't have Internet access (we will go to Munich, London, Paris and Berlin :O). I hope you will forgive me and still read when I come back on June, 24th with chapter 13.