THE DESOLATE SOUTHLAND

CHAPTER 20: SAFELY HOME

Riko drove as fast as he could home. Along the way he noticed jibbers in fields and at houses.

"They're migrating, shit! I'll have to ride the perimeter of the plantation and make sure there is no way these bastards can get in."

He arrived, pushed the button on the visor. The gate swung open and he pushed the button again to close it as he drove through. Barrelling up the drive, his thoughts were on Harley. Drake and Minko cam running out of the stables while Harley ran out of the front door. Without stopping, she ran to him and grabbed him as he stepped out of the truck. Tears flowed as she hugged him. Riko flinched from the pain radiating from his dislocated shoulder.

"Oh my God! your are hurt."

"Just a little, where is Drake?"

"Right here, what happened?"

"I'll explain later, right now, you think you can set this shoulder for me, I dislocated it?"

"Sure, but it's gonna hurt like a bitch."

"Mind over matter, Drake, Mind over matter."

Drake nodded and smiled, "Let's get you inside and I'll go below and get what I need to fix you up."

Puzzled. Harley asked, "Below?"

Drake laughed. "Yeah, there is more than meets they eye around here. There is a whole maze of halls and rooms underground. all kinds of stuff stored down there."

Everyone stared at Drake while Riko stood and started toward the house. Harley ran to help him, but he refused.

"It is just a dislocated shoulder. Geez, I am o-kay, really."

"Sarge!" Harley snapped. "If you don't stop that macho bullshit, I am gonna break you other arm and a few other things!"

"ouch! Touchy aren't we? But you still love me, huh?" Riko slyly said and smirked.

Harley just glared at him trying not to let him know how right he was about her feelings. Today, being separated from him proved that to her, though it was just for a few hours.

They all went upstairs to Rikos room, hoping he would tell them what had happened while Drake gathered the supplies he needed. Riko sat on the edge of the bed. He never said a word, just sat still with his eyes closed, taking deep breathes through his nose and exhaling out his mouth. They stood there and glared at him. Drake came in, laid everything down on the bed behind Riko and sat down beside him. The others watched closely as Drake felt of his shoulder. Riko, never opened his eyes and never flinched. He never made a sound or facial expression when Drake intentionally pressed he hands on and around the shoulder hard.

Drake finally spoke, "It is not bad, it's easy to fix actually. But it is still gonna hurt like a bitch when I set it."

He turned to Harley, motioned her to the other side of Riko and whispered, "Remove his shirt while I prepare the supplies I need here. He doesn't need to move it until I get it back in place, then not much at all. Once I am ready, I need you to take the others out until I am done."

"I am staying!" she said.

"Harley, I just need you to get them out of here for a few minutes. Then I will keep them occupied while you two talk and get him cleaned up."

"Okay, but you hurry the hell up."

"I will go as fast as I can, I promise."

Harley gently removed his shirt, being careful to move his shoulder as little as possible. Riko remained poised, eyes closed, controlling his breathing, showing no emotion whatsoever. It freaked all of the out but Drake, over his lack of emotion. When Drake got everything he needed laid out, he turned and looked at Harley, and nodded.