Finding Cooper

Tory!

Ben's POV

I can't believe Tory convinced us to go out and do something crazy in a hurricane. Twice. That wolfdog is so lucky Tory loves him as much as she does. We've been out here for nearly a half an hour looking for him!

"Coop! Cooper, here boy!" Tory yells. She starts to whistle when Shelton says something. Finally.

"Tor, we have to go. The winds are picking up speed, fast."

She argues, "Just five more..."

"Tory, he's right. I'm sorry you couldn't find Cooper, but he's a smart dog. He'll make it," I say. We have to go soon or else one of us might get hurt. I don't want that to be on my conscious. She seems to think about this when a gust of wind knocks her off her feet.

"You okay?" I ask grabbing hold of her arm. She looks into my eyes as I help her to her feet. To my surprise, A golden glow illuminates from her pupils.

Oh great. What does she plan on doing now?

"Yeah."

SNAP_

Our glowing irises meet.

"Are you flaring?" Hi asks, nervously. I can't help but grin. Tory nods and holds her pointer finger up to her lips, shushing him.

"Cooper!" She yells. Then she surprises me, she starts sprinting to the old bunker. That's when I see the gray blob. I'm right on her heels, making sure she doesn't do what I think she's going to do. Good thing I was. She launches herself towards the entrance, but I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her back.

"I'm not letting you in there, the whole thing could collapse on you," I try to convince her.

"What about Coop?" She begs.

I'm about to respond before a gust of wind knocks us to the ground, loosening my grip on her. She pushes off me and dives into the bunker. I was too late. About to go in after her, Hi stops me.

"Dude, she'll make it out, don't worry."

"Those two aren't gonna leave each other's sides. Never mind leave the other to drown," Shelton joins.

Sarcastically, I reply, "Gee, thanks for the pep talk guys."

"You know we're right," Hi says.

"Whatever."

All of a sudden, the bond between Tory's and my mind grows fuzzy.

"Guys, I think something's wrong," I say nervously.

"Don't worry, give it minute," Shelton assures. What if part of the bunker collapsed on Tory? What if she's trapped? I couldn't live with myself if she died because I didn't go into help her.

A soaking wet Coop emerges from the bunker. I pull him out, quickly searching for Tory's hand only to have my heart skip a beat. Nothing. I dive in, intent on finding Tory.

Opening my eyes, I scan the flooded bunker to see Tory floating just below the ceiling, lifelessly.

No! Red swarms around her head, and I know it's not just her hair. I propel myself towards her and grab her arm. Her pale green eyes slowly open. She's lost her flare. Quickly, I wrap one arm around her waist as the other guides us the the door. Her body is completely lifeless in my arm. I shove her out of the bunker as either Hi or Shelton pulls her out. As soon as she's out, I burst from the entrance, gasping for air.

"Oh my God, Tory!" Shelton shouts.

"Can you hear me?" Hi asks as he shakes her shoulders.

I run over to her and haul her over my shoulder. We have to get to higher grounds before the floods get any worse. The quickest place is to run up the hill. With the bunker at the very bottom and the slippery hillside, I continually slip. I keep my grip tight on Tory as I grab onto trees to help steady my balance. Finally, I get to the top as I carefully set Tory down in the wet grass.

Please lord, this has to work!

I hear Hi and Shelton nearing as I put my ear to her chest. A slow beat, but it's better than none. I put one of my hands over the other and position them between her lungs.

This has to work!

I put as much pressure as possible in three pushes as I can without hurting her with my flare strength. I pinch her nose as I take a deep breath, bringing my mouth to hers, forcing air into her lungs. I do this twice. Repeating the steps, I get more and more nervous as the time ticks by. I hear sniffles coming from Hi and Shelton.

"I think she's gone," Hi's voice crackles. That's when reality hits me. Hard. Tears make their way to my face

SNUP_

My flare dies out. I put as much energy into the CPR as I can. I can't give up on Tory. I don't care how long I have to stay out here, she will leave this hill alive. If she dies, I... I don't know what I'd do. It would be all because of me. Because I didn't go after her in the bunker. Because I didn't try hard enough. Now I'm the one struggling for air as my throat tightens. I cry out in frustration with myself.

How could I be so stupid?

I thrust my weight at Tory three times. Pinching her nose, I lower my head towards her now purple lips as water sprays outward.

Oh my God!

"Tory?" I ask, desperate.

Is Tory okay? Will they make it out of the storm safely?

What do you think? Was it okay? I appreciate you reading this and it would be awesome if you even threw a comment or two in there! Thanks!