Survival

Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN    (edited)

           Katy disappeared. Not the invisible kind of disappeared. She just vanished into the ground. Katy was walking next to Katherine and then she heard a yelp as Katy disappeared somewhere beneath. Katherine gasped. Right next to her was a deep ditch about seven feet down.

            "Katy, honey! Are you ok?!"

            "Oh! I don't think so.....my leg hurts, Kathy," She whimpered.

            "How bad is it? Katy!! Oh my God...Katy do you hear me?!"

            Katherine panicked. Just then she heard a weak voice from the ditch.

            "My foot is kind of bleeding and there’s an opened gash. Kathy? What if I get an infection...?"

            What if Katy lost too much blood? Will she die then, leaving Katherine all alone blaming herself for this?! Katherine calmed herself as much as she could.

            "Wait here, sweetie. I'll go find something to take you out with."

            She didn't wait for an answer. Katherine dashed into the woods. Perhaps a branch? No. It would just break. Suddenly, she heard a sprinkling sound. A river. She ran towards the tickling sound. Katherine stopped short. On the river bank was a man. Fishing? She couldn't tell. He had wild, white hair that matched his unshaven beard. The man was dressed in old farm clothing. Katherine was about to ask for help when she stopped. What if it’s an authority worker in disguise? She breathed hard. There was not time to think, Katy was in trouble.

            "Excuse me, sir. I need your help. There's a child down there in a ditch with a broken foot. Please help," she pleaded.

            Her eyes met with the kind wrinkly face. His crystal blue eyes seem to twinkle. He reminded her of her own father. He had eyes like that: clear, honest, full of love and compassion. Her father was a real man of faith.

            "Where? I have a rope. Lead the way!"

            The old man took out a rope from somewhere under a bush. Katherine led the way. To her surprise the man moved faster then he seemed able to.  When they were on the spot the man quickly tied the rope around Katherine's waist.

            "I’ll lower you down so you could get Katy, miss. I'll pull you two up."

            When Katherine was lowered, she saw a dark figure. In a few seconds, Katy came into view.

            "Katy? Sweetie, are you fine?"

            "I'm ok, I guess.....ugmmmm! The pain is unbearable!"

            "I know sweetie, just be patient."

            Katherine slowly kneeled down so Katy could get on her back. Katy's groans echoed in Katherine's ears. Finally, she was on Katherine's back.

            "We're ready, sir."

            They were both pulled up by the man. When they got to the top Katy looked exhausted. She sat on the ground and clutched her leg. Tears welled up. Her jaw tight, she tried to not scream.  Poor girl! Katherine thought. She is so strong. Katherine hugged the little girl and her tears mixed with hers. Katherine put Katy's head on her shoulder.

            "It's ok. Everything's going to be fine."

            Just then she remembered the man. She turned around to thank him but he was nowhere in sight. The rope lay there, still tied to Katherine. But he was gone.

            "Kathy? Who was that man?"

            "I don't know sweetie. But you better not talk. I have to get you to shelter."

            "How did he know my name?"                

            "I...I don't know."

            Katherine's eyes landed on Katy's foot. It was an ugly sight. The gash was opened and blood gushed out. Katy cried out and fainted. Oh Lord, thought Katherine, please help.