LITMIR.BIZ

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he said.

      “I won’t say it.”

      “Say what?”

      “I told you so.”

      “Thanks, now help me. I did something to my leg. Is it broken?”

      “You, the EMT, are asking me, the tracker, if your leg is broken? If I saw your tracks and you fell I’d say, ‘Ouch, bet that hurt! I bet that guy’s leg is broken.’ But show me a leg and I have no idea.”

      I gave him a hand up. He stood without putting any weight on his leg. He put an arm over my shoulder and I helped him to his pack, then lowered him back down. His blonde hair was a mess and his blue eyes reflected the pain.

      “Did you call Strict?”

      “No, I was waiting to make a decision.”

      “Well, you aren’t hiking anywhere in this condition.”

      “Open my pack. I’ve got splints in there. It’s a little plastic bag.” He began poking at his leg, not the gentle feeling motions he used on other people. He’d checked me over for broken bones before and had been very gentle. When he found the most painful spot he began running his fingers over the area but didn’t come to any firm conclusions.

      “If you’re in too much pain to put weight on it you can’t hike. I may have miles to go. We can’t tell from here. If you call Strict and he sends a copter in for you maybe Alisondra will hear it and head this way.”

      “You’re not going by yourself,” he said determinedly.

      I shot him with that look and said with the same determination, “I’m not quitting. Maybe Strict can get someone else to come in on the helicopter. Is this it?” I asked, holding up a little packet of clear plastic.

      “Read the label. I’ve got different kinds in there.”

      I read a few little plastic packets before I found it.

      “Okay, lower leg, got it. This is a splint?”

      “Yeah.”

      “It’s not the kind of splint I learned to use in school.”

      “That’s because in school you didn’t have to pack several of them in a backpack.”

      “True.”

      “Find the scissors.”

      I followed his instructions and located the scissors. I cut away his pants leg just above the knee because the leg could be x-rayed though the splint if the material wasn’t in the way. While I worked he radioed Strict. Strict wasn’t very happy. There was a long discussion where Landon told him I wasn’t coming out and that Strict should call Victor. Strict informed us that Victor wasn’t available. How about Rosco? Thez? I untied Landon’s shoe and loosened the laces. I pulled his shoe off as gently as I could and he stiffened with the pain.

      “We still have the sock to go. Ready?” I gently pulled off his sock making sure it didn’t catch on his heel.

      The splint was like a giant inflatable sock. I opened it and got all the creases out then made sure it could be pulled onto his leg without putting undo pressure anywhere. I slipped it on. Now what?

      “Just blow it up,” he instructed. “See the valve?”

      “Yeah, I’m just imagining how this is going to get back to Rusty. If I know you…”

      He gave me a mischievous smile. “Guess you’ll have to tell him first. Wouldn’t want him getting any wrong ideas. Pinch it a little, then use long, slow breaths. Release the valve to keep the air in between breathes.”

      I blew up the splint until it fit snuggly and I couldn’t get more air inside.

      “Did you give Strict our coordinates?”

      “Yeah.”

      “Think I should spread out your tent so they can find us easily?”

      “Wouldn’t hurt.”

      I pulled Landon’s tent from its bag and went looking for an open area. After spreading it out I put a couple of stakes down to hold it in place. When I got back to Landon he was removing the radio and burrowing in his pack. He handed me several packets.

      “I’ll trade you, the basic first aid kit for the rest of the cookies.”

      If I was going to have to pack his medical supplies and the radio I wanted to get rid of some weight from my pack anyway, so we struck a deal. I ate one cookie and gave him the rest. When he saw there were more than four he looked at me like I had been holding out on him earlier. I just couldn’t imagine anybody eating more than four cookies at a time. Two was my limit. I unpacked both packs, except for his personal things in the bottom pocket, then we picked and chose what he thought I might need or was authorized to use. I packed them hoping all the identical little packets wouldn’t be needed. I sent some of my backpacker food with him since I didn’t expect to be out for more than another day. He took my water purifier since I didn’t expect to see any water to purify. This little detour was seriously cutting into my tracking time.

      As we heard the helicopter closing in I got up and walked to the clearing to flag it down. I didn’t think there was enough space to land but at least they could spot us easily. When they spotted us I helped Landon hobble over to the clearing, then rolled up his tent and hastily stuffed it back in its sack. A basket was lowered along with a volunteer and together we helped Landon onto the stretcher.

      “I’ll call when I get out of here,” I yelled over the noise.

      “I’ll be sure and need some help.”

      I gave him a friendly punch to the shoulder and he was pulled up into the bay. The helicopter flew a wide circle searching for our missing person, then headed back to town. I noted grimly that they didn’t leave me an EMT. I was on my own but I didn’t mind so much. I could track, camp and find my ten sixty-five alone. I just hoped Ally wouldn’t need medical attention. It was possible that the helicopter hadn’t taken Landon to town, but only to base camp where an ambulance took him the rest of the way. If that were true then maybe Strict still had someone who would be joining me later. I watched the helicopter, then turned and jogged to the last track I’d found. I was glad I had passed the hardest part of the search and Ally was pointed in a good direction for tracking. The tracks led on and I followed them as quickly as I dared. When I had started out I’d hoped to find Ally that day. Now it was doubtful.

       Chapter 5

      Strict checked in with me frequently. It was always just a quick, friendly check up and he never kept me on the radio long.

      Ally’s tracks reflected a change in her mood. She had started out with a spring in her step which gradually faded to a cautious but steady hike. She had a nice, ground eating stride, unless she became distracted, which happened occasionally. I followed her as she investigated an animal den and I was surprised to learn that it was empty at this time of year. Later she climbed a tree looking for the right direction but the tree she chose was over the mountain from the meadows so she wasn’t able to see it. She stopped frequently but the reason for her stops weren’t always apparent. It was always in a place where there was no shade or other tracks, and she didn’t sit to rest. Perhaps she saw a bird or heard a noise. It wasn’t clear, but I was glad she was taking her time.

      I tracked until it grew dark and I could no longer see footprints on the ground. I stopped reluctantly because I still hadn’t found the place Alisondra had spent the night. Usually I stopped earlier than nightfall, so I could cook, clean up and set up camp before it got dark. Since I was alone I could rough it a little more. When I was with

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