Trent wheeled to face the campers who had gathered around him and Alex. “Evan! Get the first aid kit out of my tent and put it in boat one. Ryan, look in Colin’s tent and see if you can find his heavy jacket. It goes in boat one, too. The rest of you, find towels! Lots of them! I don’t care whose they are. Bring me all you can find. I’ll need them to bind Colin’s ankle. Aaron, go into my tent and grab the radio!” He wheeled and grabbed a length of rope, then strode to the rowboat and hurled it in.
Alex watched as Evan dashed to boat one and laid the first aid kit in the bow, tossing Colin’s jacket on top of it. Trent grabbed a six-pack of water and threw it into the boat, then turned and laid a hand on Evan’s shoulder. “Evan, you’re in charge while I’m gone.” He looped the radio’s strap around his neck, then glanced at the group gathered around him. “And I don’t want to hear one word about anybody giving him grief.”
Evan shook his head. “Trent, they wouldn’t do that. We all love Colin. What should we do while you’re gone?”
Trent lifted his finger, asking Evan to wait, then lifted the radio to his lips. “Base camp! Base camp!” he barked. “Josh! Pick up, man. I need you.”
The GXT crackled for a moment, and then Joshua’s voice came through the speaker. “Hey, Trent! What’s going on? You guys doing OK? Where’s Colin?”
“Josh, listen to me. There’s been an incident, and Colin’s been hurt. I’m headed to him right now, but I need you and one of the other guys to get here fast. We’ll need the rescue skiff and that foldable stretcher that’s in the medical station. And, bring the med kit. I’ve got my first aid kit, but it might not be enough.”
“Trent!” Joshua cried out, his voice pitched high and trembling with fear. “How bad? How bad is he hurt? Tell me!”
“Nothing life-threatening. Broke his ankle and maybe cracked ribs. But I don’t want to risk a punctured lung by moving him until he’s stabilized. Have an ambulance waiting at the dock.”
“Broken ankle? Ribs? Oh god—is heconscious? Is he… is he bleeding? Can he breathe?”
“Josh, I don’tknow! I need to get to him! Yes, he’s conscious.”
“Oh god, Trent!” Joshua moaned, then drew in a deep breath, seeming to calm himself. “OK. I’ll bring David. Is there anything else you need?”
“Yeah. Blankets. Lots of them. We need to keep him warm.”
Alex tugged on his arm.
“Hang on, Josh.” He glanced down at Alex.
“Trent, he’s really wet from the river.”
Trent nodded. “Run to Colin’s tent and grab his sleeping bag. Grab mine, too.” He lifted the radio to his lips. “Josh, we’re on the East side of the river, about a mile past the lake. The boys will be shining flashlights, so you’ll be able to see them. Leave David here with them, then come on ahead to us. We’ll have a flashlight shining at Colin’s location.”
“I’ll be there as fast as I can.” There was silence for a moment, and then Joshua spoke again, his voice choked with pain. Trent, please,pleasetake good care of him. Keep him talking. Don’t let him pass out. Check his pulse.”
Trent shook his head, a small smile touching his lips. “Listen to me, buddy. He’s going to be fine, I promise you. I’m not exactly a novice at this stuff. Just don’t dawdle. Get your asses in gear.” He hesitated, then his voice softened. “Josh, I’ll take good care of him. Now, get going! Campsite out!”
He lowered the radio and grabbed his biggest flashlight, then turned to Alex, who stood next to him. His eyes softened, and his hand moved to rest on Alex’s shoulder. “You did good, kid,” he said.
“I’m going with you,” Alex told him. “I know right where he is. I’ll lead you.”
Trent froze, staring down at the youth who stood before him. “Alex …”
“I’mgoing, Trent,” Alex insisted, his eyes fierce, his shoulders squared.
Trent studied the boy for a moment, then nodded and handed him a bundle of towels. “Put these in the boat, and then you’re on flashlight duty.” He turned to the group gathered around him. “I want you guys to grab every flashlight we haveand shine them down the river to guide Josh. He’s in the motorized skiff, so it won’t take him long to get here.” He wheeled and moved quickly to the rowboat, where Alex was waiting. “OK. Let’sgo!”
Chapter 16
Rescue
Monday
From his place on the dock, Joshua stood frozen, the radio clutched in a white-knuckled fist. He could feel his knees shaking, and without conscious thought, he grabbed one of the dock’s strong pillars, his fingers digging into the wood. His chest tightened, and a sharp, burning ache stole his breath. A horrifying vision flashed in his mind:Colin, lying on a gurney, breathing through a respirator, caked with his own blood.“Oh god,please…” he choked out, then spun and raced toward the cabins.
“David!” he called out, falling against the door, pounding on it. “David!”
The door burst open, and Nate stood before him. “Josh? What the hell?—”
David darted to his side. “Josh, are you alright?”
