Chapter Four

I felt a whip sear across my face and slowly I sank to the ground. I hit the earth with a soft thump. Everything spun for a moment. There were branches everywhere. What happened? Branches, twigs, a sweet decaying smell. A tree. A tree fell. As I began to stand, a horrible sight met my eyes.

"Noooooooooooo!"

I rushed to the limp body, trying in vain to lift the trunk. Tears fell freely, blinding me from that sight I never wanted to see again.

"Christy?! Who is it Christy?" I heard panic in Fairlight's voice.

"Opal! It's Opal! HELP ME LIFT THIS TREE!" I was still trying frantically to lift the rotted wood by myself. My beloved friend lay crumpled beneath its tangled limbs.

"NO!" Tom. Oh God.

I felt Neil pull me back as the men grabbed hold of the tree.

"Fairlight. Christy – you'll need to pull her out quickly once we get the tree up."

It only took one try—the tree was lighter because of its decayed state. Opal was unconscious but breathing.

"Jeb, David and John—carry her inside. Ozias, Mary and Bessie—go in and clean off the table. Start boiling some water, and find the cleanest rags you can. Christy—wash your hands. I need a nurse." We all rushed to fulfill Neil's orders, thankful for something to do. I saw Fairlight sink to her knees.

"The shadder. I shoulda known…thought it was for Christy's engagement. Shoulda seen it coming. Opal."

I wanted desperately to help my friend, but I knew I was needed for the surgery. Opal's midsection was hit, and society demanded a woman to be present for her modesty. Fairlight was in no condition to help, and Mary and Bessie had no idea what to do. I followed the women inside and washed my hands in near-boiling water. It was time for me to bark my own order.

"Eveyone out! Now! I need to get her ready for surgery." Tom looked at me desperately.

"Tom, go see to Fairlight. Opal's sister needs you now." He nodded and slowly turned outside. Neil came in a second later with his medical bag, and nodded to me.

"Good. I don't think I've ever seen a room full of concerned family member clear out faster."

He turned his back, carefully sterilizing each piece of equipment as I gently removed Opal's clothes, carefully placing a sheet over her chest.

"I'm ready whenever you are, Doctor."

He turned. "Then let's begin."

I felt the same objective calm overtake me, as it had during Little Burl's surgery. By now I had learned the names of all his tools. We barely spoke. While not helping with the surgery, I held my friend's hand and occasionally checked her pulse. It was slow and getting slower.

"Neil…"

"I know, Christy. I don't know how much more I can do. It's a miracle she survived this long."

After a few more minutes he stitched her up. "Better get David and Tom."

My eyes were wide. "No. There must be…"

"There isn't. I'm sorry, love."

My tears began to fall again, and I turned to go outside. The faces that met mine were so desperate, begging me for hope. How could I tell them?

I tried to keep my voice steady. "Tom, David. We need you inside."

It was David's name that told everyone what was about to happen. Though I only called the two men, everyone came in. Fairlight was still muttering "the shadder" over and over. Tom held Opal's hand, begging her to come back. David began a prayer. Something inside me broke watching that scene. I saw Tom's love for her and his complete inability to do anything to save her. I needed to get outside.

I stumbled down to the creek and began washing the blood—Opal's blood—off me. I furiously tried to blink back the inevitable tears. I began rocking back and forth when I felt his arms surround me like a warm safeguard.

"Christy…"

"I need to get the blood off." My teary eyes met his. He looked so sad and helpless.

"Okay."

He scooped up water to help me, washing my hands with his own blood covered ones. Taking out a handkerchief, he wet it and brought it up to my face. After a moment he froze and I saw his eyes widen in fear.

"Good God, Christy, it's your blood! Why didna you tell me?"

"What? What's my own blood?" All I could see was Opal's blood. Everywhere.

"Your face—there's a deep gash. I thought it was from Opal."

"I can't feel it, Neil. I can't feel anything." I leaned into him and nestled my face in his chest, as his thick arms encased me once more. Once my body relaxed, he spoke softly.

"Christy, I need to tend to that cut. You might not feel it, but it's deep and in danger of infection. Please."

I lifted myself from the cocoon he had created and sat perfectly still. I stared at the mountains, understanding Fairlight's dread of them for the first time. The pain finally hit, but it no longer mattered.