CHAPTER ELEVEN
Connors checked on Roy one last time before retiring to the living room. The Good Samaritan was sound asleep. The light on the night table was still on. He used it to do a cursory exam. Roy was lying quietly under the blankets. He was pale and clearly not particularly comfortable but it was all Connors could do for him at the moment. Reaching over, Connors turned the light off.
Leaving the bedroom, Connors padded down the hallway toward the living room. A low fire burned in the fireplace. It was the one concession Connors had allowed. After freezing the night before, he didn't plan on repeating the suffering if he could help it. With a deep sigh, he plunked down on the nearest piece of furniture. He was suddenly aware of just how tired he really was. Pulling a blanket off the back to the couch, he settled down on the overstuffed piece of furniture. It was the nicest bed he was likely to get any time soon.
Hours passed quietly. Once he was convinced that the residents of the house were asleep, Roy tried to get out of bed. It was the first chance he'd had to get away. Unfortunately, his body wasn't being particularly cooperative. His ribs screamed in agony, taking his breath away as he tried to sit up under the blankets. Darkness swirled around his head bringing bile to Roy's throat.
A groan issued from Roy's lips as he rapidly swallowed. Roy knew his ribs weren't going to take any more throwing up. Besides, that would kind of ruin his chances of escaping. The room was dark except for a slice of moonlight across the plush carpet. The house was silent. Roy wasn't sure where the convicts were but he had no intentions of finding out. Finally, he sat up, pulled the cover back and then tossed his feet over the side of the bed.
Ignoring the pains slicing through his knees and hands, Roy managed to get to his feet and stagger over to the window. His ribs screamed with each step. Roy's world pitched like a boat on a rough sea. He hated every second of it but he wasn't giving up. Bracing his body against the wall, Roy caught hold of the nearest window and tried to push it up. It took a moment for him to notice the smear of blood the appeared on the window pane. Roy's wrist had started bleeding again.
Gritting his teeth, Roy dragged himself around until he was facing the window. His ribs were in such agony that he barely kept from blacking out again. Sweat broke out on his forehead and his hands. Gingerly, he wiped his hands on his pants before reaching for the window again. If he could get it open, maybe he could get away before anyone noticed. Holding his breath, Roy pushed on the window with all his might. The pain blossomed in his side, his vision turned red and then black as the senior paramedic slipped soundlessly to the floor. He was unconscious before he made it all the way down.
OOOOO
Johnny was having a bad dream. He couldn't move, couldn't help at all as he watched a large, unknown man standing over Roy. His partner was lying crumpled on the ground either unconscious or severely stunned because he didn't appear to be doing anything to protect himself. The big man wrapped in shadow bent down and grabbed Roy by the neck, pulling the smaller man up until his feet dangled inches from the ground. Roy seemed to finally come around and fought against the hands, trying to break free and draw breath at the same time. As Johnny watched, Roy's face turned red and then blue. The life drained from Roy's blue eyes and he sagged in the big man's grip.
Johnny awoke in a cold sweat, a scream dying on his lips. Gulping air, Johnny wiped sweat out of his eyes and looked around. The sky above was dark, no stars evident. The only light came from the fire that had burned down to glowing embers. Johnny found a momentary comfort in the swaying trees above him. Then the dream came back. Sitting up, Johnny pushed his blanket down and wiped his hands over his face again.
The police men seemed to be sleeping soundly except for the two men who'd been chosen for guard duty. They weren't stupid enough to sleep like babies when escaped convicts were running around the forest. Beside him, Johnny found Mike lying on the ground, his eyes wide open and watching him. Johnny had the feeling none of them were actually asleep anymore, his thrashing around in his blankets had put an end to that. Unseen colour rose in his cheeks as Johnny's embarrassment rose.
"Bad dream," Johnny muttered. He was very thankful for the darkness. Mike would never let him live down the blush that continued to spread across his face. Rummaging around in his bag, he pulled out his canteen and took a healthy swig. Replacing him, he put the canteen back. Carefully, he rolled onto his side, his back toward his shift mate. Somehow Johnny didn't think he was going to get any more sleep. As lightning streaked across the sky, the young paramedic had his suspicions confirmed.
"Well, so much for that," the officer in charge grumbled. They were better off moving after all. It sure beat getting soaked sitting hunched on the ground. "Everyone gear up. We're heading out in ten minutes."
Johnny glanced at his watch as he climbed out from under his blanket. It was barely midnight. Quickly, the two firemen slipped their blankets back into their backpacks. Sleep was the furthest thing from their minds.
OOOOO
Around four o'clock in the morning Connors was awakened by a loud crash. Instantly aware, he threw the blanket off and swung his feet over the side of the couch. The dark confines of the living room were familiar as he gazed around. Nothing seemed to be amiss. It was then he realized that the sound had been thunder. The world outside the front window was illuminated for a brief moment as lightning flashed across the sky. The glass was slick with water that splashed down its smooth surface. A storm had come up while he'd been asleep and was in full swing.
Chuckling at his reaction, Connors decided to do a check of the house while he was awake. Walking from room to room, he made sure that the doors and windows were closed and locked. Quietly, he came up to the door leading to Roy's room. Not wanting to disturb the man, Connors stuck his ear against the door and tried to listen. The thunder rumbling through the sky made it impossible though. Giving in, Connors pushed the door open.
As he stepped through the threshold, Connors became aware of two things. Lightning danced through the sky in time to show him Roy crumpled on the floor under the window. It also showed him that the same window had been smashed. Standing over Roy, his body wet and heaving, was Johnson. The bastard had found them.