Images flashed across her mind like a dream. Playing trivia. Panic setting in with everyone. Scrambling into the pantry with Cerise.
Cerise.
“Cerise?” Her voice sounded scratchy and quiet. She cleared her throat and said her friends name a little louder. “Cerise, are you okay?”
“Nadia?”
“Oh thank goodness. Can you remember what happened?” Even though her head pounded and she wanted to cry with the pain of it, her instincts as a doctor were beginning to kick in.
“Vaguely.”
Another moan sounded and Nadia called out. “Who’s that? Are you in pain?” While she spoke she tried to move her legs,and was able to move them a bit. Not a lot but at least she had movement so her back wasn’t broken.
“It’s Buck and I think my legs are broken. There’s something on them, I could try and move it.”
“No,” Nadia shouted. “Leave whatever it is. If you move, you could end up doing more damage to yourself than if you didn’t.”
A couple of other people called out saying that their arms and legs hurt. “Cerise, what about you?”
“My abdomen really hurts. I fell to the side and a whole lot of cans fell on me.” Somehow in the collapse of the shelves surrounding them she’d lost her grip on Cerise. A shaft of guilt that she hadn’t been able to protect her friend pierced her gut, but she pushed it aside. She’d done the best she could and Cerise wouldn’t blame her for their hold breaking so she needn’t either.
Out of everyone in the small cupboard she’d come out of it without any broken bones. Sure, her head hurt like a bitch but she could still move.
“What about you, Nadia? Are you okay?” Cerise asked.
Nadia reached up and felt around her skull. At the side she had a large goose egg where the can that knocked her out must have hit. A lump was much better than an indentation. If the lump hadn’t come out, then there was the chance that she may have fractured her skull and moving wouldn’t be a good idea. Continuing her examination she could feel the stickiness of blood from a cut. She took a deep breath and it stung a bit. Okay, so she may have some bruised ribs from whatever had fallen on her back. But as she’d previously discovered, she had full movement of her arms and legs.
“I’m good, Cerise, just a bump on the head. Probably some cuts and bruises. I’m going to try and wiggle around enough to get out and see if I can find some help for us.”
As if the mention of help conjured them, she heard the faint, familiar wail of sirens. How long had they been sounding? Whywas she only hearing them now? Had they just arrived? How long had she and the other occupants of the cupboard been unconscious? How long since the tornado had ripped through the town?
She slammed the door shut on questions. They didn’t matter, all that mattered was trying to get help. God knows how the people in the other part of the bar were. Nadia had no idea where Brad and the others on the trivia team were. If they were able to get out or if they were pinned under debris like them.
“I’m not sure it’s a good idea to move, Nadia. What if you moving causes more things to collapse on us?” Cerise had a valid point, but Nadia couldn’t sit around and wait for help. She had to do something. If only she could see what the situation was then she might be able to work her way out without causing anyone to get hurt even more.
“My phone.” She blurted out. Reaching down her left side she found her purse, exactly where she remembered placing it when she’d taken up the position to protect her head. Shifting a little she was able to reach in and pull the phone out. When she touched the screen it lit up. There was a crack down the middle of it, but she didn’t care, she would be able to use the flashlight function. Swiping down she pressed the icon and a bright white glow lit up the area.
As she thought there were shelves surrounding them as well as boxes and cans. Turning a little so she could see over her shoulder at what was resting across her back, she winced at the movement.
“Okay there’s a shelf resting on my back, but I don’t think I have any broken bones so I’m going to lift it up. Once I do, I should be able move a little better.”
“Where are you going to put it? We’re all covered here.” This question came from Buck. She hadn’t thought that far ahead butwhat she did know was she wasn’t going to hurt anyone more than they already were.
“I’ll figure it out.”
Nadia spent the next couple of minutes lifting the board. Fortunately, it wasn’t too heavy and she was able to slide it over her head and down so that it rested on the other piece of wood covering her leg.
She groaned as she straightened her spine, it felt glorious to stretch her cramped muscles. “I’m okay, just stretching,” she commented before anyone could ask. “I’ve moved the shelf it’s resting on my legs.” Nadia picked up the phone again and shone it around the room. To her left she could make out a couple of people lying down. To her right, Cerise was on her side, her face pale. Worry for her friend threatened to overwhelm her but she pushed it aside. It was possible Cerise could be suffering from internal injuries and she needed help fast.
Opposite her was Buck whose lower body was covered with the bulk of the items that had been on the shelves. Nadia looked at the barman, making sure to keep the light from shining right in his eyes. “Buck, how you doing?”
He grimaced. “I’ve been better but I’m okay. Do you think you can get out?”
Nadia cast another look around. If she was careful and kept a hold of both the boards, she should be able to lift them and stand up. She could then put the boards where she sat so they weren’t resting on anyone.
There’s no could about it, Nadia. You have to do it. You have to get help.
Her inner voice was right and gave her the courage to begin the process of freeing herself. As she worked she could hear some shouts from people outside of where they were. Nadia had no idea if the voices belonged to rescue workers or if they were the other people in the building.
