“From what I understand there are few injuries but nothing serious. Looks like this area suffered the most damage.”
“Okay. This place can be rebuilt, lost lives can’t be replaced.”
For a second Mitch lowered his head and Nadia noticed a slight tremor in the hand holding the flashlight. She saw the moment Mitch collected himself and looked the barman in the eye. “You’re right. Now I’m going to go get some of the other guys to help. Here Nadia, take this.” He lifted a large bag that had a big red cross on the side. Nadia got up and grabbed it off him.
“Thanks.” Everything she would need to help with the injuries to stabilize the occupants of the room enough before they could be transported to hospital, would be in the bag otherwise Mitch wouldn’t have handed it to her.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes. Hang tight.”
“We’ll be waiting.” Nadia said at his retreating back. She gripped the handles of the bag a little tighter while biting her lip to stop herself from calling Mitch back. She closed her eyes and counted to ten. With each exhale she pushed out her fears for the situation she found herself in. For the worry that she wouldn’t be too late to help Cerise. The same worry for Buck that his legs wouldn’t be able to be saved. Worrying wouldn’t help her in a situation like this. People’s lives depended on her and she was going to make sure every single person in this room got out alive.
If Mitch could deal with his demons tonight, then so could she.
CHAPTER SIX
Mitch racedback to the front of what remained of Buck’s Roadhouse, grimacing at what he saw. The place was pretty much wrecked but at least no one had died—not so far anyway. The room where Nadia and the others were, was trashed.
“Gene?” Mitch spoke into his radio.
“What you got for me, Mitch?” Gene responded.
“Several victims in what used to be the pantry in the kitchen. Buck’s got severe leg injuries. There are at least three other victims with serious injuries as well. Nadia is there but she appears to just have a head wound. I left her with my medical kit and she was going to start treating those that she can.” He pulled his hat off and closed his eyes. His demons were close to the surface, and the last thing he wanted was to blank out and walk into danger. Gene voice sounded strong and sure over the radio, as if he could feel Mitch’s panic.
“You all right, son. Do you want to go help the guys removing the tree debris off the road?”
Mitch appreciated what Gene was trying to do. Even though he was of more use with his medical skills than his chainsaw abilities, the older man was giving him an out. There were plenty of other people who could help with debris cleanup. He’d foundout that once the guys at the dude ranch had heard about the tornado from his dad, they all wanted to do what they could to help. They’d arrived in town all fired up to get their hands dirty.
As with all storms, the rain had cleared when he arrived at the devastated center of town. He could hardly believe the damage the small town had suffered. So many buildings destroyed or half destroyed. And as Gene said their headquarters had been spared.
Mitch took a deep breath and depressed the button on the radio. “I’ve got this, Gene. Between Nadia and I, we’ll get the victims stabilized ready for transportation. She said she was a doctor but I’m not sure what sort.”
“She’s an ER resident and from what I’ve heard a damn good one too.”
Trust Gene to know everything about her. He had his finger on the pulse. But it was a relief to know Nadia was used to dealing with high level traumas that turned up in the ER.
“Right, as soon as we can get some ambulances into town, we need two here. If we can get a couple of life flight helos that would be even better.” How easy was it to slip into his military skin and fire off rapid instructions? Easier than he thought it would’ve been.
A smidgeon of hope blossomed in his belly. Perhaps all he needed to erase his PTSD attacks was a natural disaster where he had no choice but to be fully involved. At the crash sites or fires they attended where they had injured victims, there were a couple of other medics who could take the lead. But a situation like this, there was no time to take a step back. As Gene said, all hands on deck was needed.
“Already put the call in. Two of the major hospitals in San Antonio are sending their helicopters as well as two from Austin area.”
“Great. What’s their ETA?”
“Well Austin’s getting the storms we had, but San Antonio will be here in about thirty minutes now. Ambulances are going to take a little longer.”
Mitch prayed that the ambulances could get here sooner rather than later. At least they had a couple of ‘copters coming. “I know there are probably a lot of victims but I really need one of those life flight helos for Buck and the other girl, I think she’s Nadia’s friend.”
“Will do what I can.”
“Thanks. I’ll be heading back in now. Make sure the crew that’s clearing the debris are careful. The room looks like a house of cards ready to collapse with one wrong move. Out.”
“Roger that. Take care.” Mitch knew Gene would take everything in hand and direct the correct people to the areas that needed the most help.
Once he stepped back into Buck’s place he noticed that a crew of guys were waiting for him. Shit, Gene had worked his magic or he’d already had a crew nearby ready to help. No doubt it was the latter as they’d already helped the others out of the restroom area. They’d been able to get them evacuated out the back and not through the building.
“Gene radioed that there were some people trapped inside. Where do you want us to start?”
Mitch looked around the room and then back at the men. There were six in total. Easy to break into two teams. “I need three in here to clear a path wide enough for the paramedics and their gurneys to get through to the back. Then another group of three with me to help remove the debris where the victims are. Not sure if Gene told you but it’s a precarious situation so we need to take care.”
