Page 124 of Through the Storms

Riley froze. Had she heard something, or was it wishful thinking? She moved in the direction she believed the sound had come. Instead of calling again, she made her way to the opening that appeared to be a hallway. Once there, she shouted Mia’s name into the darkness.

“Help,” a weak voice called out.

Riley’s pulse raced. “Mia,” she yelled and squeezed around the rubble littering the partially collapsed hall.

“Help,” the female voice called, sounding closer than it had before.

Still in a crouch, Riley moved as quickly as she could, being careful not to bump into anything that might be keeping the ceiling from collapsing.

“Mia,” Riley called again.

“I’m here.”

“Are you okay?” Riley yelled as she continued to make progress.

“My leg hurts, and I’m scared.”

The words cut into Riley. “I know you are, honey. I’m trying to get to you.” A piece of drywall fell off the ceiling and crashed at her feet.Shit.The pile was getting more unstable by the minute.She had to throw caution to the wind. She moved down the passage at a faster pace. “Mia, can you say something? I think I’m close.” Riley flicked her wrist, causing the light from her flashlight to bounce erratically. “Do you see that?”

“Oh, god, yes.” Mia’s voice cracked. “It’s so dark here.”

“I’m almost there.” Riley squeezed through what she thought must have been a doorway. The beam from her flashlight landed on Mia’s face.

Mia let out a strangled cry. She still wore the motorcycle helmet Oakley had told her to put on. By the debris surrounding her, it may have saved her life.

“I see you.” Riley had to draw on her training to stop herself from rushing to Mia. Instead, she carefully picked her way through the rubble.

Riley’s heart thudded as she looked down at Mia’s tear-stained face. Mia looked so much like a younger version of Chloe that Riley had to stop herself from staring.

“Your mom’s waiting outside for you.”

“Really? My mom?” Judging by Mia’s voice, it wouldn’t take much for Mia to lose control of her emotions.

Riley needed Mia to remain calm. “Yep, she can’t wait to see you.” Riley knelt next to the bathtub where Mia lay with the blankets pulled up to her chin. “Are you cold?” Riley asked.

Mia nodded.

Likely, Mia bordered on shock. “Okay, let’s get you out of here. By the way, I’m Riley.”

“Hi.” Mia gave her a slight grin, and Chloe’s face flooded Riley’s mind.

“You said your leg hurts.” Riley assessed the area. A large pile of rubble laid at the end of the bathtub where Riley suspected Mia’s leg was.

“I can’t move it.”

“Let me take a look.” Riley moved to the end of the tub. “I need to pull the blankets down, so I can see what we have here. Is that okay?”

Mia answered by pushing the blankets away and shivered as she did so. Riley pulled off her jacket. Although it was covered in grime, it would keep Mia warm. Riley helped Mia into the coat before returning to the problem at hand.

“Lucas tried to lift it off, but he couldn’t,” Mia said.

Thank god.Riley suspected that had he been successful the entire ceiling would have collapsed on them. “I think we can slide your foot out.” Riley moved up so she was facing Mia. “It will probably hurt.” Riley was always honest with anyone she treated, so she’d do the same with Mia. “That ceiling could come down if we aren’t careful.” Riley knocked on the hardhat she wore. “Luckily, we both have helmets, but we still don’t want to cause a cave-in.

Mia nodded.

“We’re going to have to twist your foot a bit.”

“Lucas tried, but I screamed, so he stopped.” Mia’s eyes held a mixture of fear and hope.