“Everyone, listen to me. We need to form a line at the end of the bus. No, no, not all at once, we’ll sink. Grab your walkers and canes. We’ll make a chain and get out. Does anyone here not know how to swim?”
Two people raised their hands.
“The team will be on their way. We’ll put you in the middle of the group and you’ll hang on to the walkers. Don’t grab anyone,” she explained as she passed out their equipment. “When I open the glass, water will rush in and it’ll be cold.” She went to the emergency glass and removed it.
Her father stood at the edge. “Dad, we’re forming a chain. I need you to swim out and meet them. I have two nonswimmers,” she called. Her dad removed his coat and plunged into the water, swimming toward her.
“I can’t do this,” Mrs. Hendricks cried out. “The water’s freezing.”
“You can do it,” she encouraged. “Help’s on the way.
The bus bobbed in the water and Hannah hurried them along. She grabbed Larry and dragged him down the aisle.
“I’m sorry, Hannah,” he said as she hooked his arm around hers.
“We have to get out. Can you hang on to me?”
He nodded as she pushed him out the exit and slid out. The bus bobbed, striking one of the seniors at the end. She swam forward while Larry clung to her, attempting to reach the senior. The man panicked and grabbed at her, sending her under the water.
She came up coughing and glanced toward the water’s edge. Most of the seniors stood in the water and climbed out of the steep bank. Sirens came from all directions as her father approached her.
“Take Larry. I have the other,” she called out. Her dad grabbed Larry and took him to shore. Hannah struggled with the heavy man who kicked and grabbed hold of her. She heard splashes, and she kicked her way to the surface. “Stop fighting me,” she ordered. “I’m here to help you.”
Saint appeared out of nowhere as the man clawed at Hannah again. The water splashed into her face and took her breath. It sent her reeling back to the days of her captivity. The men hurt her and revived her with buckets of water, only to laugh and jeer at her as she pleaded for her life. Someone grabbed her from behind, and Hannah’s new self-defense skills kicked in. She reared her head back, smashing it into her assailant’s face. His arms loosened and she heard a strangled curse. Water doused her face as she struggled to get away. Another man touched her shoulder and tried to turn her. Hannah pulled her fist back and swung blindly, screaming into the wind.
“Leo, she’s having a flashback,” she heard as Cole dived into the frigid water. Strong hands grabbed at her, and she twisted away, kicking and screaming. She wasn’t going back.
“Hannah, it’s me, Cole. I’m right here, Stormy. Don’t go back there, stay with me,” he ordered as her head went under water. When she came up for air, he cupped her cheeks. “It’s me,” he said quietly. “You’re here with me. You’re safe.”
Hannah wrapped her arms around him as she sobbed into his shoulder. Leo and Patch helped him guide her to shore. Taco plucked her from Cole’s arms mid-way, taking her to one of the multiple vehicles and wrapping a blanket around her. Cole followed, covered with one, too.
Taco hit the van’s side. “Take this one up, it’s full,” he said as Cole climbed inside and reached for her. Taco placed her in his lap and slammed the door.
Hannah leaned against him while her teeth chattered despite the van’s heat. “Where’s my dad?”
“He’s in one of the vehicles. I saw him get in with your mom,” he informed her.
“What about the others and Larry?”
“Everyone’s out and accounted for,” Cole assured her.
“Larry suffered a heart attack or a stroke. He said his jaw hurt and he rubbed his shoulder,” she told him.
“Doc’s with him and Santa,” Cole said, wrapping the blanket tighter around her.
“Santa tried to drown me,” she said, trembling.
“I guess you’re on the naughty list,” he teased. “Put your head down and rest. We’re almost there. You showed courage, Stormy. You saved a busload of people.”
The van came to a stop and staff rushed them out, taking them to a room. Cole set her in the chair and tugged off her shoes and socks. “If you can stand, I’ll get these wet clothes off. You’ll be warmer without them.”
She rose from the chair as he reached in and unbuttoned her jeans. “This isn’t how I pictured this moment going,” she said through chattering teeth.
Brody ran into the room and Kassie followed with Claire. “Cole, you may use the room beside this one. We need a moment with Hannah.”
Cole stepped back, letting the women aid her.
“I’ll be back, Stormy,” he called as Shadow ushered him from the room with dry clothes in hand.
