“Yup. Give me a second, pup.” I break off a branch to use for a walking stick as the insistent animal butts my ass with the top of his head.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to lie down and take a short nap? I catch my breath against a boulder which annoys Toby. He barks until I move again.
“Coming, coming.” Not for the first time, I wonder if he’s lost.
Beyond the next curve, the sky opens up and suddenly, I’m on the road. It’s so unexpected, I touch the side of the truck to make sure I’m not dreaming. Still hesitant, I bite off one mitten, suck on my fingers for warmth, and dig in my pocket.
After clearing snow off the door with my elbow, I try to turn the key but it won’t budge.
“No, no, no. You’ve got to be kidding me.” I breathe into the frozen plate, bang it with my palm, and the metal falls from my numb hand and disappears in the deep powder.
“Shit.” I drop to my knees and search the snow while my fucking fingers burn from the cold.
“C’mon, c’mon, c’mon.”What the hell, God? Seriously?He must’ve heard because He allows me to find the object.
Still praying, I inhale, breathe into the keyhole, and try again. This time, it clicks.
“Yes!” Sliding behind the wheel, I start the ignition, and turn off the blast of cold air.
Then, I find the switch marked on, grab the police radio’s mic, and click the black button. “Hello? Anyone there?”
A speaker crackles and Sheriff Al responds, “Danni? Is that you?”
“Yeah. Hurry please. Kincaid and your deputy were shot. They need help fast. And call Greg. Cole said he can lead you to them.”
“How bad are they?” Static sounds almost drown out his voice.
I don’t want to talk about it, I want him to move. “Jeff was blue, his pulse weak. He lost a lot of blood. Cole had a tourniquet around his thigh but seemed stable.”
“Stay put. We’re coming.” Like I could go anywhere?
Hey God, if you’re listening, keep them safe.I open the passenger side for Toby and pat the seat but he keeps watching the trees as if expecting to see his friend exit any second.
“Not yet, boy. Hold on.” Searching the car’s side pockets and the glove box, I find a doggie treat.
Using it to lure him inside, I shut the door and when he whines, I rub his head. “Just a few more minutes, then you can help Cole.”
His ears perk up at his master’s name and his paws go on the dash.
Sirens sound in the distance and soon, the falling snow flashes red and blue. Hopping on my good foot, I wave them down.
Toby, done waiting, rushes past me. He barks at the rescue members wading through the snowbank. Finished, he bounds over to the sheriff and Greg as they exit a car with a green logo on the side.
“You hurt?” A middle-aged woman carrying a first aid kit reaches me first.
“No, I’m fine. Wait. Except for my ankle. Can you help me over there?” I point to the two men patting the dog. “I need to talk to them.”
“Put your hands around my neck.” A newly-arrived bearded man lifts me up and sets me down in the road.
Toby yaps at the foot of the trail making it hard for me to understand the sheriff’s question.
“What did you say?”
Al shouts louder. “Is there someone still armed in the woods. Do I need to worry about my volunteers?”
I shake my head. “No. It was Alisha, the professor’s graduate assistant and she’s dead.”
“You sure?”
