Red's head lolled on Max's shoulder as Carole tried again for cell signal.

'Nothing. What do you think happened?' Carole asked.

'I don't know. Tigra probably spooked and threw him' Max said as he checked Red's weakening pulse.

'Why'd he go out? I mean Red knows Tigra hates the trails, right?' said Carole as she pulled out a spare jacket from Max's saddlebags.

As Carole draped the jacket over Red's lap Max said 'I figured some things out about Red's past and I confronted him about it.'

'What did you find out?' Carole asked as she pulled her own jacket on.

'Red was the youngest member training for the Nationals. He screwed up in a trial and the trainer was incredibly mad, with good reason. Red obviously wasn't paying attention…anyway he and the trainer got into a fight. Red was supposed to lock up the barn at night but didn't. Later that night the barn caught fire, all but two horses made it out. One of the two horses was Red's. After this Red quit and never rode until Tigra came. Carole?'

Carole wasn't paying attention to Max anymore 'Max where's Red's helmet?'

'What?' Max asked distractedly as Red drifted into consciousness.

'Max?' Red's voice came out as a weak whisper.

'It's okay Red. Stevie and Lisa went back for help. You're going to be okay.'

'S-s-sorry' Red mumbled.

'Why?' Max said gently.

'I-I-I-I went out without' Red paused to swallow painfully 'a helmet.'

He sighed exhaustedly and passed out again. Max looked at Carole who looked horrified.

'Max it's getting really cold and dark out. Stevie and Lisa should have gotten back to Pine Hollow by now, right?' Carole said nervously.

'Yeah. If they don't come back in another half hour, we'll go back. Red needs to get warm.'

:::::::::::::

'Mrs. Reg!' called Stevie hopping off Belle. Mrs. Reg came out of Max's office 'girls? Did you find Red? Is he alright?'

'Yes' said Lisa coming up behind Stevie 'and we need to call for an ambulance right now!'

Mrs. Reg ran into the office as Stevie and Lisa sighed in relief.

'Girls, the EMTs are going to need you to direct them to where Red, Max and Carole are.'

'Okay.'

'Meet them out in the field' Mrs. Reg called from the office. Lisa and Stevie quickly grabbed their horses and started out again.

:::::::::::::

'I think I see someone coming' said Carole as she stood up.

'Carole! Max!' called Lisa as she came riding up.

'Okay so the ambulance is here. But they definitely can't get through here so we need to get Red out to the pasture.'

Max stood up slowly, sliding his arms under Red's back and knees.

'I'll carry him. Carole can you lead Barq?'

She nodded as Max continued to carry Red, following Lisa. By the time Carole got to the pasture with Barq in tow, Max was carefully laying Red onto a gurney and watching as he was loaded into the ambulance.

'Girls, go back to Pine Hollow. Cool down your horses. Call your parents and tell them you're staying here for the night. I'm going with Red to the hospital' Max said.

:::::::::::::

Max stood up from the uncomfortable plastic chair he had been waiting in.

'Doctor, how is he?'

'He's asleep, definitely has a concussion, but other than that he is fine. We gave him pain meds and fluids. Does he have any relatives that you know of?'

'N-n-no. Not that I know of' Max replied, 'can I see him?'

'I suppose, but as I said before he's still asleep' the doctor turned and walked down the hall to room 4.

Max slowly walked into the room. Red looked so much younger when he slept.

One more chapter after this and then back to my Alex Rider fanfic!