The emergency crews had the gas off.
The firefighters were working diligently.
We weren’t too close to them, so they let us be.
Especially, when they noticed Theron was with us.
Rune walked by holding a little boy in his arms, the child crying against his chest. Both covered from head to toe in gray soot, like everyone else around here. Only eyes and blood splotches stuck out among anyone.
I coughed behind my fist and hurried back to my spot, and bent down, brushing away dirt from my eyes. I pressed my ear to the rock beneath me and could hear a woman sobbing. Gritting my teeth, I grabbed the edge of the stone and shoved it aside in slow inches.
A hand thrust out through a small crack between more stones. The female sobbed, “Please help me! Please!”
My own terrified cries attacked my mind, but I shook my head and grabbed her hand in a tight hold. I shouted, “Hold on, okay? We’ll get you out of there.”
I tipped my head up and peered around where the others were, all scattered about the explosion site. I shouted, “I’ve got one over here! I need some help moving the rocks!”
Theron charged straight at me, zigzagging around workers. His nostrils were flared, but I already knew the fire was messing with the shifters sense of smell. But when he started running right at me, I tensed up and held her hand even tighter.
Perhaps hecouldsmell her now.
Theron’s eyes zoned on our clasped hands, and then he dropped to his knees beside me. He lowered down to all fours, his eyes peering into the small area around her hand, studying the inside where she was trapped.
The Ancient rose back to his feet, stating softly, “Talk to her while I do this.” He bent and started shoving huge rock to the side.
I used my other hand to pet the back of her gently, my voice loud to rise over the noise. “Hey, you want to know a funny story about a king and a fox?”
“I just want out of here!”
And…yes…that washervoice. Less the sobs.
Joshua had been right.Ihad to be here.
“I know, honey,” I hushed—shouted. “But while they work on getting you out, I’m going to tell you the story about a king and a fox. You see, the fox thought he was weird. But what he didn’t know was he was a special fox. A fox that made other animals obey the rules or face his judgment.”
I cleared my throat. Coughed past the dust.
“What about the king?” pizza girl asked.
Theron was almost down to my level with the rocks.
I stared at up at him, watching him work. “The king was steadfast and strong. Everything he did was for his people. But somewhere along the way, he forgot himself.”
Shifter 101 to the rescue! Thank you, Cass.
Theron glanced up and glared, then lifted a rock that was far too heavy for a human to lift and tossed it aside.
“The king sounds sad.” Her hand gripped mine tight. “Tell me more, please.”
“Well, the king went on vacation. He knew he needed a break. He thought to reinvent himself and tried many stupid things. People thought he was crazy. But he wasn’t. When it came down to it, the king knew he had a job to do and knew that was what he was born for. He hadn’t lost himself—he had simply forgotten the most important thing.”
“What’s that?” She asked.
“Love. He forgot to love himself for who he is—his strengths and his weaknesses. His duties and his interests. And that fox? The special fox was really his son in disguise. The fox came back into his life after a long absence, and they learned how to deal with their problems with love and respect. The kingdom prevailed under their duel duties.”
She mumbled, “I like that story.
“It’s a good one,” I stated loudly. “And you’re about to be free. Do you have any injuries down there we need to know about?”
