Title: Shattered Soul
Author: Cindy Ryan
Story status: Complete
Summary: When Emily becomes the hostage how far will Matt go to bring her home?

"They know what they're doing, Matt."Frank said quietly as he guided his friend back from the shaft. "They'll get her out."

"Yeah."Matt agreed as he folded his arms across his chest. "Did you see what he did, Frank?"

"We'll get him."Frank vowed his voice full of quiet anger as they watched the paramedics descend.

"Ellis is a dead man when I get my hands on him."

Ten long minutes later a female paramedic finally called up their findings.

"She's alive."

"Thank God."Matt whispered feverently as he collapsed back against the wall, closing his eyes.
Tears sprang forward but he couldn't let them out. Not yet.
There'd be time to react later.

Fifteen minutes later the first paramedic was hoisted up followed by the gurney basket containing Emily. Without waiting for the rest of the paramedic team Matt and Frank moved forward and helped the sole paramedic maneuver Emily out of the narrow passageway.

In the reflection of the headlights of the police vehicles Matt was stunned at how pale Emily's skin was. Even to his untrained eye he could see how shallow her breathing was.

Once Emily was lifted into the ambulance Matt climbed in next to her. He grasped her right hand trying to ignore how cold it was. He tenderly brushed a strand of blood coated brown hair away from Emily's face.

"You're safe, Em."Matt whispered as the two paramedics worked around him as the other two got in the front. "You're safe. "

"Matt."Frank called gaining his friend's attention. "I'll update Cheryl and meet you there."

Matt nodded his thanks as the doors closed.

"She's severely dehydrated, suffering from exposure."The female paramedic reported to her partner.

Her partner nodded as he looked up from a blood pressure gauge. "Her blood pressure's dropping. We need to move."

The ambulance's engine roared to life and the tires crunched on gravel as it sped away.

Frank watched the ambulance pull away for a long moment while sending off a silent prayer. He turned and started the long walk back to their rental car. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed a familiar number.
If this was the last thing he did in his career it'd been worth it.