Page 75 of Last Girls Alive

“The guy who locked us in here and decided to bulldoze us.”

Chad didn’t meet her gaze. “I don’t know.”

“Yes, you do. He got away, didn’t he?”

“They haven’t found him—yet,” he said. Someone spoke to him from outside, but Katie couldn’t quite hear what they said. “Okay,” said Chad. “We’re going to have to cut you out.”

Katie’s eyes grew big.

Chad nodded to his co-workers. “Okay, I’m going to be right here with you, Katie. I’m going to cover your face and body, and Rodney here is going to cut the board. Okay?”

She didn’t know quite what to say, but nodded in agreement and tried not to squirm.

Chad gave her a reassuring smile then gently laid heavy tarp-like material over her, covering her face as well. He grabbed her hand and squeezed it to help reassure her that everything was going to be alright.

The chainsaw screamed to life. As it approached closer to Katie, the sound deafening, she flinched and squeezed her eyes shut. As the chainsaw made contact, woodchips and dust flew everywhere and the pressure against Katie’s leg caused her to cry out. She tried to stay still as she could, though every nerve in her body wanted to pull away from the revolving blade so close to shredding her leg.

The noise stopped abruptly, leaving Katie’s ears ringing and unable to hear anything. Chad was talking to her but she couldn’t hear him. It was as if she were floating underwater and slowly being pulled up to the surface.

As she reached the daylight, she opened her eyes; everything was blurry at first, and then she saw a crowd of people waiting for her arrival—or so it seemed. It appeared dreamlike, as if the entire universe downshifted into slow motion.

“I’m okay,” Katie said, feeling a bit woozy. “Really, I’m fine,” she insisted, trying to break free of Chad’s grip.

“Take it easy there,” he said.

“Where’s McGaven?” she said.

“He’s doing much better. He’s over there being checked out but he wouldn’t leave until he knew you were okay.” Chad pointed to an open ambulance where McGaven sat inside with an oxygen mask on as one of the paramedics was taking his blood pressure and vitals.

Katie started to walk over to him.

“Katie, wait a minute. You need to be checked out,” Chad persisted.

“I’m fine. I need to talk to my partner first.”

Some of the people in the crowd watched as she sat down next to McGaven. “Is he going to be okay?” she asked the medical tech.

“He’s going to be fine, but he still needs to have his chest x-rayed just to be sure that there aren’t any other complications.”

She turned to McGaven. “You know this is my fault. I know, I know. I hardly ever admit that I’m wrong.”

McGaven shook his head and was about to take off the oxygen mask. “No, it isn’t,” he said, muffled from the mask.

“Just listen for a moment, okay? I know I’ve already apologized, but I’ve got to get this out before I lose my nerve and get my wits back.”

McGaven quieted and patiently waited, still breathing fresh oxygen.

Katie glanced at the paramedic who appeared not to be listening—but obviously was. Katie didn’t care, she continued, “I know there’s been a lot of drama during our time as partners, but I would like to think that there have been great times too. Ever since you were assigned to work with me, I’ve managed to get us into some… serious predicaments. Saying I’m sorry isn’t good enough, but I want you to know that I love working with you. You’re the best partner anyone could ever ask for. And, because of my stupid curiosity today, I led us right into a trap inside that metal container. I would never be able to live with myself if anything happened to you because of my overzealousness. I never had a brother or sister… and…” She paused as she saw the paramedic smile. “Excuse me, could you give us a minute?” she said.

“No problem,” he said, still smiling, and left them alone. The other officers and emergency personnel left them alone as well. McGaven waited until she finished.

“Like I said, I never had a brother, but if I did, I would hope he would have been just like you. I’m sorry about today. I’m sorry about the previous stuff. And, I’m sorry about being so mushy now. I just wanted you to know.”

McGaven took the oxygen mask off and breathed some of the natural air. “Are you done?”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks.” He looked directly at her and said, “You know it’s mutual, right?”