Hunter's Moon

Forty-One: Riley

Hours passed before we heard any news, but it was just another update. Jack visibly deflated and sunk onto the seat next to me, burying his head in his hands with a heavy sigh. Nearby his father's arms encircled his mother Erin Bryan, who arrived shortly after we did when Jadyn was air-lifted. She was already in surgery by the time we got there, and now I was just waiting for Nadia after texting her. Where was she and Eddie? They should have been here by now...

I tried my best not to glance around frantically, to not let the rising panic in my own gut take over. I hadn't been in Wolf Valley General Hospital in months, not since... that night, and the time I had to spend here recovering before the doctors felt comfortable enough to send me home. They may have been satisfied with how my body healed, but my heart and mind would forever be broken.

Please don't let the Bryans be broken. I didn't know who I was praying to—certainly not God. My family wasn't ever really religious, but I certainly had no love for the guy at all after my entire world was taken from me in a car crash.

Peace, child, a woman's gentle voice whispered in my mind. Peace...

Back in the cave, I was only out for a few minutes, but it was enough to turn back and frantically pull my clothes and boots on before the chopper appeared. The clearing was large enough to land in, and the paramedics swept in and back out with Jadyn like a winter breeze. After that, the Bryans and I raced back to the trailhead and the vehicles. By the time we arrived at Wolf Valley General Jadyn, and Kate, were already in surgery.

"... healed Jadyn," I heard Mr. Bryan murmur to Mrs. Bryan. When I looked up they were watching me. Heat crept up my neck as I looked away, staring at a spot of blue on the floor.

Jadyn... The more I thought about it, the more I realized that she shouldn't have survived. Thinking back on all of the blood and ripped flesh, the sight of her lungs struggling for air... She should be dead. Until I laid down next to her in that cave, she was dying. Somehow, I could sense her life force ebbing away, fading into the ether. Then it was like turning back a clock, and it was enough to get her to the hospital.

From the corner of my eye I see Mrs. Bryan start to ask her something, but he silenced her with an imperceptible shake of his head. I frowned. Whatever his answer to her unspoken question was, he didn't want me to hear it.

Hours passed, and still no word from Nadia or Eddie. At one point I realize the time and think that Eddie and Drew are doing a shift change, but that didn't explain why no one responded to me yet. We got a couple more updates, until finally Kate arrived, her resident trailing behind her looking like he'd run a marathon.

The Bryans rose to their feet as she approached, Mrs. Bryan clutching to her husband for dear life. Jack's fists are clenching and unclenching at his sides, his face drawn with dread. I stayed behind them, feeling like I'd be intruding no matter what news came.

Kate released a heavy breath when she came to a stop before the family of hunters, clutching her scrub cap in her hands. Her eyes flicked to me briefly before focusing on the Bryans. "Let's start with the good news," she said. "Jadyn's going to be fine."

Mrs. Bryan released a sob and would have fallen if Mr. Bryan hadn't caught her. Jack did drop to a knee, releasing choking sobs of relief. Kate grinned and crouched to his level, gently touching his shoulder as he regained his composure then rose to his feet.

"It was pretty touch and go," Kate continued, "but Jadyn's young and strong. She's a fighter, so she'll pull through. She's asleep, but I can take you to see her if you want."

"Yes, please," Jack said. Kate nodded and turned to lead the way, with Mr. Bryan following. Before walking off, Mrs. Bryan came over to take my hands in hers and look into my eyes, where I knew she could see the glowing gold and green.