“No. We need an adult trauma center,” Dr. Creed interjected. “Tell them we need a medivac to UI Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.”
Andrew appeared to pull it together and went in search of a phone.
“Where is Xander?” Niyah asked. “Where is Mr. Devereaux? Senator Creed? Where are they?”
Tabitha Creed checked Mr. Montgomery’s pulse. “Stay focused on our patient, Doctor. Trust that everyone else is okay.”
Though she didn't have Dr. Creed’s faith, Niyah kept her head down and did her very best to keep Mr. Montgomery alive.
CHAPTER 39
NIYAH
Niyah grabbed Dr. Creed gently by the shoulders and pulled her back. “Doctor, we have to let them work.”
The paramedics had arrived and they were much better equipped to keep Mr. Montgomery alive than Niyah and her trash bag. They worked on him while hurrying him out of the house and toward the helicopter. While Dr. Creed followed the paramedics, Niyah broke off in search of Xander. She ran through the maze of halls, but she didn’t find him. She did, however, find a young woman lying on the floor, crying into an article of clothing. When Niyah got closer, she could see that the woman’s foot was twisted completely to the opposite of its natural position.
Niyah leaned over the woman. “Do you have your phone?”
The woman nodded and raised the phone for Niyah to see. Even crying, the woman was remarkably calm for someone whose foot was dangling so loosely from her body. After taking the phone, Niyah called 911. She gave the operator as many details of their whereabouts as she could. “I’m gonna have to set that,” she warned.
The woman, who must’ve been part of the Creeds’ staff, looked up with fear behind her eyes. “Is it gonna hurt?”
Niyah peered at the woman with a knitted brow. “Does it hurt now?”
The young woman nodded. “Yes.”
“Then, yes, it’s gonna hurt.” Niyah placed her hand on the woman’s shoulders and gently pushed her body to the floor. She sat on the floor in front of her and secured the woman’s foot. “What’s your name?”
“Carol,” she revealed in shaky breath.
“Okay, Carol, on the count of three I’m going to set that leg. Count with me.”
In unison, they counted,” One, two-” Niyah mercifully yanked the woman’s ankle in place before they landed on three. That way, she could be done before Carol could tense up from fear. Although, the fact that she was already done didn’t stop the woman from howling like a wounded hound.
Niyah wrapped a piece of cloth tightly around Carol’s ankle. “That should hold you until the paramedics get here.”
Niyah didn’t wait for a thank you. She jumped up and continued on in search of Xander. She hurried down a long, empty hall and followed a set of masculine voices outside a small side door. Four men, two of them helping one to walk, hurried past her to enter the house.
Niyah’s feet shuffled through the rocks as she ran around the house, checking bodies for signs of life along the way. She abandoned the rocky border and ran into the grass. “Xander!” she called, with not much hope that he’d answer.
Niyah ran until she found herself at the front of the Creeds’ estate, where the lights from emergency vehicles and the roar of helicopter blades created the closing scene from a horror movie. She scanned the chaos. But still, no Xander.
Mr. Montgomery was being loaded into a helicopter. Paramedics on the ground were patching up the injured and covering the deceased. Niyah took a deep breath and wondered if she should be checking under the sheets for Xander. Just the thought of it warmed her cheeks. With tears pooling in her eyes, Niyah walked over to one of the sheets. The figure beneath was approximately the same height and build as Xander. At that moment, the people disappeared, the chaos calmed, and the noise quieted. She held her breath and reached down with a shaky hand.
“Doc!”
Niyah jumped at the feeling of hands on her waist. “What the fuck?”
She whipped around and found herself eye to eye with Xander. He’d scared the shit out of her. Just that quick, Niyah had completely forgotten that she was looking for him.
“Jesus Christ!” she blasphemed.
Xander studied her with a furrowed brow. “Are you okay?”
Niyah looked up at him and exhaled. She cupped his jaw, finally relaxing at the sight of him. “I’m fine.” She pulled him in for a hug. “You probably wouldn’t believe it after that warm welcome, but I was just looking for you.”
Xander slid his arms around her waist and pulled her body close to his. Niyah was finally able to breathe easier. He held her face to his chest and kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad you're okay.”
