“Very.” I shudder, the reality of taking a life, starting to sink in.
Greg approaches me and helps me limp to a waiting ambulance. “I’m sorry, I didn’t take your concerns more seriously.”
This is no time for apologies. “He said you would know how to find him, something about a crossing where you shot the deer.”
“Got it.” He rushes off to tell Al.
As more volunteers arrive, the sheriff gathers them together for a meeting. After, he strides to where I shiver on the ambulance’s tailgate and admonishes me.
“We’ll talk when I get back. Until then, say nothing.” He stomps away, directs men with stretchers, comm units, and the like.
I wish I could go, too, but I know in my heart I would slow them down. Instead, I pray real, real hard.
“No frostbite. You’re lucky.” The bearded paramedic removes my boots and socks then insists I move inside the heated interior of the vehicle.
I recall I’m still in my PJ’s and laugh, a bit hysterical. My mom always warned to make sure my underwear was clean in case I was in an accident. I’m not wearing any.
“Are you alright?” The guy shoots me a worried look.
Hell no. I shot someone.Like an animated GIF, the moment I pulled the trigger plays in my mind’s eye until I’m dizzy. “I think I’m going to be sick.”
The quick-thinking man opens a puke bag in the nick of time. As I’m wiping my face, three younger Kincaids poke their heads to where I lay on the gurney.
The youngest one speaks first. “What happened out there?”
I remember what the sheriff said and say as little as possible. “Cole injured his leg and couldn’t walk out on his own. So, I called nine-one-one and they sent out a team to help bring him out.”
“Injured how?” As he shares a worried look with the others, I point toward the local news van.
“I can’t say but Toby and Greg are going to find him.” It’s best not to mention the blood he lost. In truth, I can’t be certain how much was his and how much was Alisha’s. At the thought of all the carnage, my teeth chatter and all of a sudden, I’m convulsing.
The paramedics shoo everyone out, they slam the back door, and prick a needle in my arm.
And to all a good night.
Chapter 22
Cole
Watching Danni disappear behind a pine tree, my chest aches and I pray like I haven’t since I was a kid. “Please Jesus, keep her safe. I promise to talk with you more often. I’ll even find a church and go, occasionally.”
“Where am I?” Moaning beside me, Jeff’s eyes flutter open.
“Don’t worry. Help is on the way.” I melt snow in my mouth, spit it into my thermos cup, and get him to swallow.
Then, I slide him under the log where we can share body heat free of the elements. As heavy powder piles over us, I try to stay awake, hoping a search team is on the way. If it grows too dark, they may need to wait until morning.
Alone, the wind howls and as I shiver nonstop, death becomes a real possibility. What will I leave as my legacy? I count on one hand; my house, my dog, and my badge. Is that all there is to this life? Somewhere I fucked up big time.
These are my last thoughts as a deep fog overcomes me.
“Woof, woof, woof.” A wet tongue licks my face.
“Huh?”
A few moments later, Al shakes me. “Cole, you with me, son?”
“Ay-yup.” What do you know? I didn’t die.
