Earthquake

Rescue Mission

I helped Andy find an empty corner and he snuggled down into a DIY nest of coats without any protests. I wondered if I should read him a bed-time story of whether that would just remind him of his mum too much. In the end I just gave him a cuddle and said good night before retreating a couple of seats away to have a serious conversation with my mum.

We were joined by my translator, whose name we discovered was Daisuke, and he immediately got to business.

"We need to check the other carriages on this side of the collapse, there may be people in need of our help." He said in hushed tones, to avoid worrying the other passengers.

I agreed but mum was more cautious, "We have no idea if the other carriages are stable, that could be putting everyone in danger."

"But mum, we can't just leave them there. If the other carriages are unstable it's all the more reason to try and help." I burst out, unable to keep my voice down.

I whispered a vague apology as several mothers gave me glares for disturbing their already sleeping children and continued at a lower volume, "We could send a team of three or four to just have a look at what's going on. If it's dangerous they won't enter, if it isn't they can bring people back here and you can treat them."

Mum looked wary, "Well I suppose that sounds reasonable...But Darcey you must promise me you'll stay here! Let the adults deal with this one, for once."

I let out an involuntary sigh of annoyance but eventually gave a nod of my head. Why is it parents always have to treat you like a three year old just when things start getting interesting?

"Thank goodness," my mother breathed, but then added, "You can organise it if you like?"

My glum expression slowly moved into a tiny half smile, she knew me too well.

Meanwhile, Daisuke had been stood silently next to us with a thoughtful expression on his face, as he surveyed the group at the end of the carriage. Guessing what he was thinking I said, "So who do we want then?"

He gave a little sardonic laugh, "We want that guy over there," pointing to a tall, bald man sat in the corner, "I was sitting in the seat behind him, I think he's on leave from the US army".

"Good. I wonder why he didn't speak up before?"

Daisuke gave a shrug and continued, "We also want her, she offered to help earlier because she is a medical student at the University of Tokyo, also she speaks very good English." The girl he was pointing at was sat with an injured child comforting the mother whilst also fashioning a make shift sling out of an abandoned scarf. She looked confident but also gentle and handled the tasks around her as easily as if they were household chores. Despite appearing in charge, the girl was no taller than five foot and could be no older than 18. She seemed younger due to large brown eyes, a sprinkling of freckles across her nose and a cute bob of shiny black hair framing her face. However, this only made me more impressed with her skill, and I was happy to have her as part of the rescue team.

"And I guess I should go, but other than that I'm not sure." Daisuke turned to look at me then asked, "Any suggestions?"

I bit my lip, and examined the rest of the group, "Erm, that man over there could help with any lifting. That woman could come too. I'm trying to avoid families, people who travelled alone are less inclined to stay here and....Ooh him!" Daisuke glanced in the direction I was looking then smirked.

Sat in the furthest corner of the carriage, away from the rest of the passengers, was a boy of about 17. As I watched, a strand of his blonde fell in front of his eyes as he gazed sullenly at the floor. He was wearing tattered jeans, boots and a grey t-shirt which had been ripped at some point in the chaos. A long thin cut sliced it's way down from the boy's shoulder to his wrist still bleeding freely and I wondered why mum hadn't tried to bandage it or something. I tried to convince myself I had only picked him because he was quite obviously very strong, his t-shirt didn't conceal much. And he was tall, easily six foot, and that would help if they needed to force open the carriage doors. But I blushed as I realised that wouldn't fool anyone...

"Apparently he's not the most co-operative," replied Daisuke, "He refused to let your mum treat him and he won't even sit with the rest of the group."

"Well then it's time he did his bit," I decided.