Chapter 11

As she was crying she was aware that Brice's eyes were closed but he was still conscious. He was giving her the opportunity to gather herself and not make her feel like an idiot. By releasing some of the fear, helplessness and rage allowed her to focus and continue to do what she had to do to help them survive this.

"I did NOT wait this long to fit in somewhere, to have someone to love. Stop and think, you have been in worse situations before." Those situations had occurred over 5,000 miles away, in Vietnam. Her training in the army and at the EVAC hospital was going to get them out of this mess.

She started an IV for Brice, Normal Saline, to help keep his blood pressure at a normal level, to prevent shock. He could have internal injuries as well as the broken limbs. His vitals were stable all considered, his breath sounds were good. She put the O2 on his right side, in case he needed it later.

Oddly, being behind the steer wheel helped him. It gave him some support to his chest as the squad was careening down the cliff. Normally she wouldn't have been allowed to give any IV's or medications with communicating with Rampart first. In this instance, that wasn't an option. Since he did have a head injury, pain meds were not allowed.

She rested for a few more minutes, telling Brice what she was going to do next. "I am going to look for the radio or the Bio phone, which ever I find first."

"A.J., you're hurting too. I can see it in your eyes; you're having trouble breathing..." Right now, her breathing seemed regular but with the blunt force trauma she could have a pneumothorax (collapsing lung) developing.

"It's alright; it's from the cracked ribs." She was grateful that he couldn't see that she wasn't telling the whole truth. The cracked ribs were in reality a failed chest. Several of them in her lower left chest were broken.

"You could have internal injuries and your hip..." He was afraid for her.

"Listen Craig, no one even knows were missing yet. It could be hours only Cap. realizes we should have been back. Then he'll call Rampart and Captain Stanley. Slowly they'll piece it all together. They'll have to search over 20 miles of road because no one knows exactly what happened." She was being realistic. If I can find either one, then at least we can get help sooner.

She tucked a blanket around him; nightfall in the mountains could spell hypothermia. His frustration was obvious, as was he concern for her. "I hope someday he shows his true self to everyone." She knew her journey would be pain filled.

Neither communication device had been any where around the squad when she was searching for the other equipment she needed. That could only mean that it was lost at some point as the vehicle made its descent. Unfortunately, that also meant climbing upwards towards the road.

Her sternum was fractured, her left ribs broken and her right hip was killing her. Walking was out of the realm of possibility. The only option was to basically drag herself while crawling for short periods of time. Determination and adrenaline were the only things that allowed her to get anywhere at all.

Every rock or even twigs felt as if they were tearing into her flesh. Her shirt and pants had already been shredded in several places. Although her hip was screaming at her, she had only that side to lean on. The shivering forewarned of the drastic temperature change that was taking place.

Her body seemed to warm and her mind relax a little, when she thought of him. She was mentally picturing him holding her, his body heat and strong heart beat, keeping her safe from the world. She knew with out being boastful that she was that for him.

Then as she reached for another hand hold, she lost her grip. Once again she was tumbling, spiraling down, down. One particularly unforgiving rock struck her already broken ribs, causing a pain so intense, there was no word to begin to describe it. Brice's fear of a pneumothorax was coming to bear.

Despair and helplessness filled her soul. The chances of finding either of them were so slim. Would anyone even find them in time? Suddenly a brilliant white light appeared, too bright to be a flashlight of any kind. She stared at it, feeling a sense of relief and hope flourishing. With in the light was a woman in white. The same women who had saved her at the warehouse fire were once again beckoning her!! Again she was motioning her towards her. Knowing she had nothing to lose, she crept over and there sitting, still in its case was the Bio Phone!!

As she hooked it up her breathing was becoming increasingly difficult. The pain throughout her body was begging for unconsciousness.

"Rampart...this is Squad 110...can you hear me?"

"Squad 110 go ahead." That phrase was the most beautiful sound that she had ever heard.

She began coughing, which tore at the already painful injuries, followed by ragged, wheezy, breathing. "Help...please...help..." Those were the only words she could get out before she passed out from the intense pain.