Disclaimer - As usual, Relic Hunter does not belong to me. I'm very sorry I haven't updated for so long. In my defence I will say that I've been very busy and at least you have a new post now, enjoy!
Chapter 10
Back up on the top of the cliff Alex, Brionney, Faith and Sydney struggled back to the camp, their clothes sodden and dripping seawater. Dirt and small cuts littered their hands and great smudges of filth darkened their faces.
As the sorry quartet staggered back into the clump of tents Kitty and Devon came rushing out to meet them.
"Oh my god are you alright?!"
"We heard the crash, are you hurt? We called the emergency services, what happened? Did the cave collapse? Where's Nigel?… WHERE'S NIGEL?!"
Devon grasped Kitty round the waist and held her tightly to try and calm her down. The red-head was steadily growing more hysterical by the minute and they didn't need that right now.
Being a level headed person by nature Alex suggested they all go inside the awning to work out rationally what they should do next. Seeing this as the best idea so far the group trooped wearily in to sit at the long trestle table.
After hearing a highly condensed version of what had happened Alex looked thoughtful whilst Faith put a comforting arm around Kitty as she sobbed noisily.
"I'm afraid I don't see how any of us can help Nigel until the Coastguard gets here," he began, interrupted by a loud heaving gasp from Kitty as she wiped roughly at her eyes with a pile of Kleenex. "I think we should try and sort ourselves out so we can be of best use when they get here. I'm going to go get the medical supplies out of the van, you should have your cuts cleaned up."
Slowly nodding their agreement the group began to get a hold on themselves.
"I'm gonna go make a pot of tea," muttered Brionney, "I think we could all use a cup and that's what you drink in times of crisis right?"
Sydney was still sitting frozen at the table in shock. How could she have let this happen? She was supposed to be the strong one, the responsible one and now Nigel was trapped in a cave, probably drowning, all because she didn't want to leave some pathetic research papers behind!
Normally she could hold it together in a crisis, but nothing this bad had ever happened to someone because of her. Why did it have to be Nigel? Of all the people it could have been, how could he die just when she was finally starting to acknowledge her true feelings for him?
It seemed hugely unfair that the one chance she could have at a serious relationship that lasted was to be taken away from her before she'd even had a chance to experience it. Nigel didn't deserve a watery grave and she would make sure it didn't happen.
Rising determinedly to her feet, not sure what she intended to do, about to stride out of the tent Sydney spun around in shock as the phone on the table started to ring.
Everyone turned in shock to stare at the small red mobile, its buttons flashing as it screamed out to be answered.
A deadly quiet hung over the camp and no one moved. All eyes were on the small phone. Coming to her senses, Sydney reached for the phone first only to find Faith blocking her.
All of a sudden it seemed a mass stampede had broken out, each person trying to be the one to talk to Nigel first.
Alex grasped the phone and pressed the receive call button only to have it fly out of his hand to clatter on the table as he was shoved form behind by Kitty.
Nigel's voice could barely be heard over the mass scramble, all anyone could hear was a vague buzzing sound that faded in and out as the signal was so weak.
Someone tripped over a stack of folders and the muddle of people collapsed onto the floor from the sudden extra weight. Quiet descended once more and the hissing sound stopped.
"Are you OK? Please..."
Everyone stared at the phone.
"…I'm scared -"
" - The person you are talking to has been disconnected. Please hang up and try again…"
Sydney was horrified. Nigel's plea for help hand wrenched at her heartstrings and it was all she could do to keep herself together. She felt terrible, how could he be asking if they were alright when he could be nearly drowning.
Roughly shoving everyone aside, Sydney pulled herself up to the tabletop and seized the phone and pressed recall. Nothing happened. Not believing it was happening she found herself pressing it again and again, maybe if she pressed the damn button hard enough it might work!
Hearing a sigh behind her, Sydney turned to find Alex gently prying the phone from her fingers. For the first time in her life, she didn't know what to do. Standing there she looked dumbly into his face for reassurance.
"The coastguard will be here soon. He'll be fine. I know he will. They'll get him out, it's their job to save people, I…" His voice trailed off miserably and they both turned, subdued, to see the edge of the cliff that they'd gone down in such high spirits not so long before.
AN - Well this is the event of the last chapter from Sydney and Nigel's mates view, I decided to leave Nigel near death for just that little bit longer :) Anyway, please review with any thoughts and comments, they're much appreciated!
Chapter 10
Back up on the top of the cliff Alex, Brionney, Faith and Sydney struggled back to the camp, their clothes sodden and dripping seawater. Dirt and small cuts littered their hands and great smudges of filth darkened their faces.
As the sorry quartet staggered back into the clump of tents Kitty and Devon came rushing out to meet them.
"Oh my god are you alright?!"
"We heard the crash, are you hurt? We called the emergency services, what happened? Did the cave collapse? Where's Nigel?… WHERE'S NIGEL?!"
Devon grasped Kitty round the waist and held her tightly to try and calm her down. The red-head was steadily growing more hysterical by the minute and they didn't need that right now.
Being a level headed person by nature Alex suggested they all go inside the awning to work out rationally what they should do next. Seeing this as the best idea so far the group trooped wearily in to sit at the long trestle table.
After hearing a highly condensed version of what had happened Alex looked thoughtful whilst Faith put a comforting arm around Kitty as she sobbed noisily.
"I'm afraid I don't see how any of us can help Nigel until the Coastguard gets here," he began, interrupted by a loud heaving gasp from Kitty as she wiped roughly at her eyes with a pile of Kleenex. "I think we should try and sort ourselves out so we can be of best use when they get here. I'm going to go get the medical supplies out of the van, you should have your cuts cleaned up."
Slowly nodding their agreement the group began to get a hold on themselves.
"I'm gonna go make a pot of tea," muttered Brionney, "I think we could all use a cup and that's what you drink in times of crisis right?"
Sydney was still sitting frozen at the table in shock. How could she have let this happen? She was supposed to be the strong one, the responsible one and now Nigel was trapped in a cave, probably drowning, all because she didn't want to leave some pathetic research papers behind!
Normally she could hold it together in a crisis, but nothing this bad had ever happened to someone because of her. Why did it have to be Nigel? Of all the people it could have been, how could he die just when she was finally starting to acknowledge her true feelings for him?
It seemed hugely unfair that the one chance she could have at a serious relationship that lasted was to be taken away from her before she'd even had a chance to experience it. Nigel didn't deserve a watery grave and she would make sure it didn't happen.
Rising determinedly to her feet, not sure what she intended to do, about to stride out of the tent Sydney spun around in shock as the phone on the table started to ring.
Everyone turned in shock to stare at the small red mobile, its buttons flashing as it screamed out to be answered.
A deadly quiet hung over the camp and no one moved. All eyes were on the small phone. Coming to her senses, Sydney reached for the phone first only to find Faith blocking her.
All of a sudden it seemed a mass stampede had broken out, each person trying to be the one to talk to Nigel first.
Alex grasped the phone and pressed the receive call button only to have it fly out of his hand to clatter on the table as he was shoved form behind by Kitty.
Nigel's voice could barely be heard over the mass scramble, all anyone could hear was a vague buzzing sound that faded in and out as the signal was so weak.
Someone tripped over a stack of folders and the muddle of people collapsed onto the floor from the sudden extra weight. Quiet descended once more and the hissing sound stopped.
"Are you OK? Please..."
Everyone stared at the phone.
"…I'm scared -"
" - The person you are talking to has been disconnected. Please hang up and try again…"
Sydney was horrified. Nigel's plea for help hand wrenched at her heartstrings and it was all she could do to keep herself together. She felt terrible, how could he be asking if they were alright when he could be nearly drowning.
Roughly shoving everyone aside, Sydney pulled herself up to the tabletop and seized the phone and pressed recall. Nothing happened. Not believing it was happening she found herself pressing it again and again, maybe if she pressed the damn button hard enough it might work!
Hearing a sigh behind her, Sydney turned to find Alex gently prying the phone from her fingers. For the first time in her life, she didn't know what to do. Standing there she looked dumbly into his face for reassurance.
"The coastguard will be here soon. He'll be fine. I know he will. They'll get him out, it's their job to save people, I…" His voice trailed off miserably and they both turned, subdued, to see the edge of the cliff that they'd gone down in such high spirits not so long before.
AN - Well this is the event of the last chapter from Sydney and Nigel's mates view, I decided to leave Nigel near death for just that little bit longer :) Anyway, please review with any thoughts and comments, they're much appreciated!