Brody
“Another beer, anyone?” Josh asked, jumping up off the couch. A chorus of “yeses” sounded around the room. I heard him chuckle as he left the den and headed for the kitchen.
“The Cowboys need to get their shit together. They’re going to lose this game if they don’t start playing like a goddamn team,” I grumbled, watching as the Broncos scored a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys.
“Have a little faith, Son,” my dad said. “It’s only the first quarter.” I nodded, my eyes drawn to the window where I watched a flash of lightning light up the night sky.
“Storms getting worse,” I said, my head gesturing toward the window.
My dad nodded. “There’ll be some tidying up to do around the place tomorrow if it carries on.” I was about to reply when Josh came flying into the room, the door banging against the wall.
“What the…” I began, but Josh cut me off.
“The stables are on fire,” he exclaimed, his eyes wide.
I leapt from my seat, along with Dad and Mason, and rushed out of the den, meeting Mom and Libby in the hallway.
“Did someone say the stables are on fire?” my mom asked, her face a picture of panic.
“Yes,” Dad replied. “Stay here and call 911,” he instructed as he pushed past them toward the front door.
“Savannah’s in the stables. She went to check on the horses!” my mom cried.
“No!” Josh shouted, the agony evident in his voice.
We all rushed outside, and I reeled backward as I saw the stables engulfed in flames. Josh ran full pelt toward the burning building. Taking a deep breath, I followed him. I could vaguely hear Libby on her phone speaking to the emergency services, her voice getting swallowed by the sound of my heart pounding in my ears. Reaching the stable doors, Josh didn’t hesitate as he flung them open and rushed inside. The flames were toward the back of the building, but they were spreading, and quickly. Flames licked the walls and engulfed the roof, the straw and wood of the building quickly igniting.
The smoke was thick as I entered the stables and my eyes immediately began to sting. Water gushed from them as I desperately tried to see anything in front of me. My lungs were burning and screaming for air already. I lifted the neck of my t-shirt up and over my mouth. Narrowing my eyes, I tried to find Josh in the chaos. My eyes darted left and right, and as I passed each stall I flicked the latch, allowing the horse inside to escape.
“Savannah,” I shouted, my words swallowed by the creaking and groaning of the building. I had no idea how far into the stables I’d gotten, or where Josh was, but I knew I had to keep moving forward. I passed a stall with the door already open and I glanced inside. I could barely see my hand in front of my face, but something made me look again, and I moved closer toward the stall. Suddenly, a body curled up on the floor became visible through the smoke. Dropping the t-shirt from my face I ran inside and kneeled down, scooping the person into my arms. As her head fell against my shoulder, I realized it wasn’t Savannah from the long blonde hair that fell over her face. As I stumbled out of the stall, I saw Josh coming toward me, the relief evident on his face as he saw me holding who he thought was Sav.
“It’s not her, Josh,” I choked out, my stomach clenching as I saw the look of devastation form on his face.
“I can’t find her, Brody! Where is she?”
“Maybe she got out?” I said weakly, hoping and praying I was right.
He shook his head. “I’m not leaving until I find her.” He gestured with his head to the girl in my arms. “Go. Get her out.”
I stared at him, torn about leaving him in this hell but knowing I needed to get this girl to safety. “I’ll be back,” I promised, turning and making my way toward what I hoped was the way out. Just as the entrance came into view I heard the beams above my head groan and creak before they crashed to the ground just behind me, the roof collapsing in on itself. Spinning around, I could just about make out Josh’s lifeless body under a mangle of burning wood.
“Josh!” I shouted, listening for a reply from him. When I got none, I rushed outside, knowing I needed to get him some help. Surely the emergency services were here by now? It felt like I had been inside the burning building for hours. Stumbling through the stable doors I saw Mason rushing toward me.
“Brody, where’s Josh?” I gestured with my head to the stable entrance.
“He’s inside… on the floor. I couldn’t move him, part of the roof collapsed,” I choked out, coughing and wheezing from the smoke. My lungs were desperately trying to drag in some fresh air.
“No!” a voice cried, and I looked up to see Savannah dropping to her knees, my mom with her arm wrapped around her. Thank God, she was safe. The relief I felt knowing she wasn’t trapped in the stables was overwhelming. I watched Mason and my dad rush toward the flames and silently prayed everyone got out safely.
Two paramedics appeared in front of me, one immediately taking the girl from my arms and rushing with her to a waiting ambulance. I felt someone put their hand on my back and tearing my eyes away from the man who held the girl, I looked up to meet worried eyes.
“Let’s get you checked over,” the emergency worker said.
I glanced back to the door of the barn, desperately hoping to see some sign of life, but I saw none. Damn, I wanted to go back in and find Josh, tell him that Savannah was safe.
“I can see what you’re thinking, but the fire crew will help your friends,” he told me, obviously seeing my apprehension at leaving. I sighed and nodded, knowing he was right. My lungs felt like they were burning from the inside out, and I noticed for the first time my hand was bleeding. Dragging my tired body over to the ambulance I sat down heavily on the tailgate. An oxygen mask was placed over my mouth and nose and a blanket wrapped around my shoulders. “Take some deep breaths, you should start to feel better once the oxygen gets into your lungs.” I nodded, looking across to the other ambulance where I could see two paramedics working on the girl.
“Is she going to be okay?” I lifted my mask to ask the question. The paramedic brushed my hand away and replaced the mask.
“You need to leave that on,” he scolded, placing a clip on my index finger. “This measures your oxygen levels.” He gestured to the clip. “If the reading is okay, then the mask can come off. It’s unlikely though after where you’ve just been.” He jotted down some notes before his eyes met mine. “Do you know how long she was in there?” I shook my head. “What’s her name?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never seen her before,” I muttered from behind the mask. “Is she going to be okay?”
“They are doing everything they can for her. She’s in good hands. You can ride to the hospital with her if you want?” I nodded, needing to know she was going to be alright. After a few minutes breathing the oxygen, I began to feel better. My chest was still tight, but I was no longer wheezing.
I heard shouting coming from over by the stables and I jumped to my feet, pulling the mask off my face. Mason, Dad, and a member of the fire department had found Josh, and they were carrying him out to waiting paramedics. As I made my way toward them I saw the fire crew using hoses in an attempt to put out the flames. I hung back watching the paramedics do their job. Mason and my dad staggered over to me and I led them to the ambulance where they were given oxygen and looked over.
Savannah’s anguished cries as she watched the paramedics work on Josh could be heard echoing around the open space. As they loaded Josh into one of the ambulances, I saw my mom wrap her arms around Savannah and pull her into an embrace. A hand landed on my shoulder and I turned to see the paramedic who had treated me.
“We’re ready to go.”
I nodded and pulled my gaze from Savannah, knowing that I would speak to her at the hospital. Following the paramedic, I climbed into the back of the ambulance, sitting down on the small fold-down chair. My eyes fell on the girl. “How is she?” I asked the paramedic who was sitting by her head writing up his notes.
“She’s stable but unconscious,” he replied looking up from his notes. I scooted forward on the seat and gently picked up her hand. Her hand was cold in mine and I rubbed my thumb across the back of her hand.
“Did those cuts and bruises happen in the fire?” I frowned as I noticed her split lip and bruised cheek. Seeing her properly for the first time since I pulled her from the stables, I couldn’t help but notice how beautiful she was. Even with the bruises she was stunning, and I found myself wondering what color her eyes were. Shaking my head at my bizarre thoughts, I turned to the paramedic as I waited for him to answer my question.
Catching my eye, he gave me a sad smile and shook his head. “No, those are a couple of days old at least. It looks like someone’s been rough with her.” I sighed and squeezed her hand, wishing that I knew what her story was and why she had been in the barn. I guess I’d have to wait until she woke up, to find out.
Within minutes we were pulling up outside the hospital. Staff came out to meet the ambulance, and the girl was whisked away into the trauma area. Myself, Dad, and Mason, were all put in different cubicles. After what felt like a million tests, and five stitches to my hand, I was free to go. Dad and Mason had also been assessed. All three of us had suffered smoke inhalation, but other than that we were fine. After assuring my mom that I was okay, I asked a nurse for an update on Josh. Finding out he was still being assessed, I decided to find out how the girl was while we waited on news.
Walking along the corridor, I stopped at the nurses’ station, glancing down at the woman at the desk as she spoke on the phone. She hadn’t seen me yet and my eyes widened in surprise as I recognized her face. As she replaced the receiver she lifted her head, her eyes meeting mine. “Brody,” she exclaimed, standing and coming around the desk. “What are you doing here?” She moved to stand next to me, taking in my disheveled appearance. I watched as her forehead crinkled into a frown. “Are you okay?” She placed her hand on my arm and squeezed gently.
“Beth, hi. I didn’t realize you worked here,” I said with a small smile. Beth was Josh’s ex-girlfriend. We were pretty much thrown together one night when Josh brought her to the Brass Hall. Josh then spent the whole night following Savannah around like a goddamn lovesick puppy. Not surprisingly they’d split up shortly afterwards, and Josh had gotten together with Savannah. We’d hooked up a couple of times after they’d split, but neither of us were looking for a relationship. Meeting Beth’s worried eyes, I sighed. “There was a fire in the stables at home. Josh is in a bad way.”
“No!” I heard her gasp and watched as her hand came over her mouth. “Is he going to be okay?”
“He’s in trauma, there’s no news yet,” I told her sadly. “I hope to God he’s going to be okay. If anything happens to him…” I trailed off, my voice catching at the thought that he might not make it. I felt her reach her arms around me and pull me into a hug. I hugged her back fiercely, suddenly needing the comfort.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, stepping out of my arms.
Taking a deep breath to compose myself, I dragged my hand down my face. “I pulled someone from the stables. I was told she was brought here?” Her eyes flashed with recognition and she nodded, pointing down the corridor.
“She’s in there. Do you know her name so we can contact her next of kin? She wasn’t carrying any ID.”
“I’ve no idea who she is. I think she was sleeping in the stables. How is she? Is she awake?”
“No, she’s still unconscious. Do you want to see her?” I nodded, and she guided me along the corridor to a side room, her hand resting against my lower back. “Go ahead. She can probably hear you if you want to talk to her.” She reached around me and opened the door. Glancing inside I saw the girl lying in the hospital bed, an oxygen mask over her face. “She’s on oxygen to help with the smoke inhalation. There are some cuts and bruises that we don’t think were sustained in the fire, and at some point fairly recently, she’s broken her ribs. The doctor thinks maybe four to five weeks ago. They are healing well but she’ll probably still be sore for a couple of weeks.”
I inhaled sharply and fisted my hands at my side. With the bruising on her face and now the broken ribs, I’d put money on the fact that some asshole had put his hands on her. That’s why she was sleeping in the stables; she was running away from someone.
“I’ll stay with her. If there is any news on Josh—”
“Brody, I’ll come find you. I have a friend working in trauma and I’ll ask her to keep me updated.” I smiled gratefully at her and bent my head, brushing a kiss across her cheek.
“Thanks, I’d appreciate that,” I told her as I turned and walked into the room. As I reached the edge of the bed, I pulled over a chair and sat down. The clothes the woman had been wearing when I’d pulled her out of the stables were gone, and she was wearing a hospital gown that looked far too big for her. A blanket was tucked under her arms and my eyes dropped to the dark bruises that wrapped around the arm nearest to me. Her blonde hair was splayed out on the pillow, and I noticed again her split lip and black eye. Anger bubbled inside me at the thought of who had done this to her. She must have felt desperate and so alone to have been hiding in the stables. Her eyes were closed but her head was turned toward me. Seeing her properly for the first time, I couldn’t help but stare at her; she was beautiful.
Beth said she would be able hear me if I talked to her, but what the hell should I say? Who was she and where had she come from? Surely someone somewhere was missing her? Her parents or friends. Feeling like an idiot talking to someone I didn’t know, about God knows what, I opted to stay quiet. Knowing Beth would come and get me if there was any news on Josh, I relaxed back in the chair and closed my eyes. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing in her room, I just knew I needed to be here.
Feeling someone gently shaking my shoulder, I slowly opened my eyes. The bright lights of the hospital room caused me to squint at the figure standing over me. As my eyes adjusted, I saw Beth next to me. My heart went into my mouth and I flew up out of the chair.
“Is it Josh?” I asked in a panic. She nodded her head and reached her hands up, placing them on my chest.
“He’s still unconscious, but he’s been moved from trauma to a room just down the corridor. His head injury wasn’t as bad as the doctors first thought. He’s suffering from smoke inhalation, but there’s no reason why he shouldn’t wake up soon.”
I closed my eyes and let out a large exhale. The relief at knowing he was going to be okay was incredible. I could only imagine how relieved Savannah must feel. “Thank God! I should go see him,” I said, glancing at the sleeping figure in the bed next to me.
“It’s just family at the moment, Brode. Stay here, she’ll be scared if she wakes up on her own.” I nodded and gave Beth a small smile. “I’m on shift for another hour, you might have to wait in the corridor when the staff change over. It’s really only family who can stay through the night. If I was working, I’d let you stay, but…” She trailed off.
“No problem. I can wait in the corridor.” I eyed the girl's hand and gently scooped it up, enveloping it in my large one, noticing how perfectly her small hand fit in mine. “Where are the clothes she had on when she came in? Was there anything in her pockets?” I asked Beth as I rubbed my thumb over the back of the girl's hand.
I watched as she walked across the room and picked something up from the cabinet beside the bed.
“All we found was this.” She held out a photograph. “It was in the back pocket of her jeans. She was also wearing a wristwatch.”
I took the photograph from her and read the swirly handwriting on the back. Me and Mom on my seventeenth birthday. I slowly turned the photo over. The girl who lay in the bed smiled back at me, and I felt my dick jump in my pants. She was stunning. Her long blonde hair fell over her shoulders in waves, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to sparkle with happiness. Seventeen, Brody, I reminded myself, not knowing how long ago the photo was taken. Glancing from the photograph to her lying on the bed, I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her. What sort of bastard would want to hurt her, and why?
Beth had been right and after she’d finished her shift I was asked to wait in the corridor. Exhausted, I found myself falling asleep on the hard, plastic chairs. Savannah had woken me up early, but Josh still wasn’t awake. I could see how worried she was, and I did my best to reassure her. Josh loved her, and I knew he wouldn’t leave her without a fight. After filling her in on the girl, I kissed her on the cheek and made my way back down the corridor to the girl’s room.
Sneaking past the nurses' station, I slipped through the door and sat by her bed. Her eyes were still closed and the bruise around her cheek was slowly turning from black to purple. The swelling around her eye looked like it had lessened some. Sitting forward in the chair, I hesitantly took her hand in mine again. I was unsure whether I should be holding her hand, but I wanted her to know she wasn’t alone. Despite managing a few hours on the uncomfortable chairs in the corridor, I was still tired. The rhythmic beeping noise coming from the machines she was attached too soon had me falling asleep, my head dropping onto her bed.