Larry Shorts

A Lifetime In A Moment

The sharp, loud, whirring of the helicopter was all that could be heard in the snowy, forested, mountains. The rescue team inside, who'd spent days searching for any sign of human life, were losing hope.

"Maybe this isn't even where he is, we've been at it for days." Niall, a trainee, suggested as they hovered over the dark mountains, bright lights from their copter shining below.

Liam, the head of the rescue team, shook his head. "Try not to think that way, it leads to less effort. Lets give it another good hour before we head back for the night."

"Yeah.. okay, I guess you're right. I just wonder if he could be somewhere else, its just a rumor that's been speculated by his fans-" Niall started but was cut off by another crew member, Zayn.

"Stop! Stop! I think there's a house, or a cabin.. or something. Look!" He pointed and Liam quickly steered the helicopter in that direction, and sure enough, poking out from a massive pile of snow, was the tip of a rooftop.

"Alright, get your supplies everyone I'm dropping the ladder" Liam instructed. They were well equipped with ice picks and drills to get through any frozen matter. Niall, Zayn and several other members of the team descended from the ladder and got straight to work, trying to dig their way through to a door or a window, or something.

The sight that greeted them when they finally got through a window on the side of the tiny wooden cabin, was expected, yet unexpected at the same time.

There he was, Louis Tomlinson, the 29 year old travel vlogger, naked on the frosted floor, blankets and clothes covering his body for warmth. Another, unidentified man was there too, naked as well and intertwined with Louis beneath the blanket heap.

"Looks like they were trying to use each other's body heat to keep warm." Zayn murmured, coming closer to the pair. Their eyes were closed, skin gray, and bodies cold to the touch.

"They're... they're dead aren't they.." Niall whispered, his eyes misty. He'd only been on a few rescue trips, and this was the first time he'd ever witnessed death.

"Unfortunately so mate," Zayn said, patting his shoulder. "These cases are hard at first, but they get easier. I promise."

Niall shook his head, he didn't think seeing a lifeless body could ever get easier.

"Well, lets get them loaded up." Zayn said, and it almost seemed too casual to Niall as the rest of the crew loaded up the two bodies while Liam lowered the helicopter.

Niall kind of just stood there in shock, his emotions threatening to bubble over. He was about to follow the rest of them when he noticed Louis' vlog camera on the floor, he grabbed it quickly and hurried after everyone else onto the helicopter again.

"Dammit.. it's dead." Niall muttered, trying to turn on the camera once he was in his seat.

"What's dead?" Zayn asked, glancing over at him.

"This... it looks like it was Louis' camera. He was probably vlogging this for his channel" Niall replied, setting it in his lap.

"I'm sure there's a charger in his bag. We can plug it in when we get back okay?" Liam said, as they lifted up into the air.

"Yeah.. okay" Niall mumbled softly. He wasn't sure this was the kind of job he wanted after all. He wanted to rescue people.

He didn't want to find people who were past the point of rescuing.

Back at the base where they were staying, far beneath the large mountain range, Liam was dealing with getting the bodies to where they needed to be, and everyone else was heading to their bunks.