by Laura Acton
Forty-five minutes later, Scott was on his way after thanking the Craigs profusely for all their help and promising to inform them of how things turned out with Dan once the phones were back in service. As he made his way to their shed, Scott counted his blessings.
Today is my lucky day. I’m blessed for so many reasons. Lily married me. I have two beautiful children. I made it to the general store and didn’t freeze to death on the way. I didn’t damage an artery. Landry is a damned-fine surgeon. Masie is a whirlwind and an excellent cook. And mostly because they have a snowmobile with a full tank of gas, so I’ll be able to get help for Danny.
The Great Escape
27
November 24
Cabin – Main Room – 12:40 p.m.
As he replaced the melted cold packs with fresh ones under Dan’s armpits, Loki kept a cautious eye out for any movement indicating Dan might attack again. He hated the skittishness taking root and growing in him over the last few hours. He shouldn’t be fearful of being near his friend. Not Dan’s fault he was caught in the grip of a fever and unaware of his actions, but Loki’s sore neck painfully reminded him of the reality of the situation.
Once he finished with the bags, Loki removed the cloth from Dan’s sweating brow, dipped it in cold water, wrung out the rag, and laid it down again. Settling in the chair beside Dan, out of arms’ reach, he lifted the towel wrapped snow bag and pressed it to his tender throat. Loki hoped a bruise didn’t develop, so no physical evidence existed of the choking, but if it did, he would wear a turtleneck until it disappeared, so Dan remained none the wiser.
And if on the off-chance Dan recalled the incident, it would be easy to deny and tell Dan he must’ve hallucinated the event. Loki would not hurt Dan with the knowledge he nearly strangled him. Dan didn’t need to carry any more guilt, his burden was heavy enough with Brody, and if Scott died going for help, well, there would be additional weight for him to bear.
Loki rose and strolled over to the wall-mounted weather center to check the current temperature, noting it must be record-shattering when adding in the windchill factor. He muttered, “Nothing good ever happens in the woods, and this is the ski trip from hell.”
A bubble of strained laughter escaped. “Hell? No, Hell would be hot. All this snow would melt in seconds if we were in Hades.” Loki swallowed hard as the vibration on his vocal cords irritated his throat. He sauntered back to his chair and plopped down again as he let out a long sigh.
I hope Scott didn’t freeze to death and made it to the general store. Wish I could do something more to help Dan. His fever isn’t going down, and he needs to be in a hospital under the care of a doctor. It’s tough being helpless when someone you care about is suffering.
Releasing an audible sigh, Loki set his icepack down and closed his eyes to rest a moment. In the time Scott had been gone, he packed all their belongings. He wanted to be prepared to leave without delay once help arrived. The only item left unpacked was a set of warm clothes for Dan, but for now, keeping him in only his boxers with a light blanket over him seemed to lower his temperature, though without a thermometer, he could only guess.
“Wa … ter,” Dan’s cracked, rough voice disturbed the silence.
Startled by the request, Loki’s eyes shot open and spied glassy sapphire orbs. “Hey, buddy. Sure. Only a sip or two, though.” He reached for a cup on the table, lifted Dan’s head slightly, and held the glass as Dan took two sips.
When Dan’s eyes drifted shut, Loki lowered his friend’s head and set the cup down. Wondering if Dan woke lucid this time, Loki made a simple query, “How do you feel?”
A slight lopsided grin came to Dan’s face as he opened his eyelids a slit. “Usually, with my fingers.”
Raking the errant lock of hair off his forehead, Loki laughed, happy to find his buddy coherent. “Funny. You make that up yourself?”
Dan’s gaze remained unfocused. “Nah, Blaze, that one is Brody’s. You should remember. You’re not forgetting our brother already, are you?”
Loki’s heart plummeted to his stomach. Not coherent. Thinks I’m Blaze … well, we do both have black hair. Unsure what to do, Loki decided to reply, “No one is forgetting Brody. He was special.”
“Yeah, he is. Might be dead, but he’ll always be alive in my heart … brothers beyond death. Kinda like you and Winds. I miss Brody. I’m envious you still have Winds. Wanna know a secret?”
“Sure.”
Dan’s voice became morose, “At times, I wish Baboon let me die beside Brody. Wanted the guards to use guns instead of tasers when I attempted to escape the brig. Tried to eat a bullet, but I’m too cowardly to pull the trigger.”
“You attempted suicide?” Loki mumbled.
“Yeah, … but I failed again … couldn’t do it.”
“Why? I mean, not why fail, but why try, buddy?” Loki swallowed the lump in his throat, which had nothing to do with the swelling and everything to do with the shocking revelation.
“I killed my brother. You gave the all-clear, but I blew him away. He must’ve known it was me.” Dan’s eyes shifted left. “You know what it is like to be killed by your best friend … the ultimate betrayal. Bet Brody felt the same.”
Loki turned to his right, finding only emptiness, wondering who Dan believed was there, and who he was talking to. He remained quiet, uncertain of what to say.
Surprised Dan saw and spoke to him as he hovered near Loki’s right side, Leonardo surmised it was due to Dan’s precarious state of health. On the edge of the veil between life and death, perhaps an aftereffect of Samael’s touch, or the power of the multitude of guardian angels coming to assist him.
Whatever the reason, Leonardo hoped to convey to Dan that Brody didn’t harbor thoughts of betrayal. “Yes, Narciso deceived me, but you didn’t betray Brody, and he is aware. He doesn’t blame you, and he certainly doesn’t want you to take your own life. And by the way, you are one of the most courageous men I ever met. Takes much more courage to continue living than to die.”
“Brody was an only child, and he died before he had kids. At least you have Loki and Gina, legacies to carry on your bloodline. Loki takes excellent care of his ma and sisters. A son who would make any father proud.”
Leonardo gazed lovingly at Loki. “Yes, that is true. I’m extremely proud of my son. Dante endured a lot of abuse from Narciso, but with Donata’s influence, he grew into a steadfast, brave, and kind man, possessing admirable character traits and a wicked sense of humor. All a father might hope for in his son.”
“I’m glad Dante makes you proud, Mr. Baldovino. And yeah, Loki’s one of a kind. He makes me laugh even when I don’t want to but need to … sorta like Brody used to do. Loki’s got a heart of gold, and anyone would be lucky to have him for a friend. I’m glad he’s mine.”
Loki gaped and stared at his right. He can’t be talking to my pa. He’s dead. No, no, no, this isn’t happening. Holy smokes, this is beyond weird. Loki’s freak out only grew with Dan’s next words.
“Hey, Sara. Wanna go play on the swings?”
Is Dan so close to death he is communicating with people in Heaven? Slumping in the chair, he continued to listen to Dan’s side of a conversation with dead people. Wait … he thought I was Blaze. He must be hallucinating like when he attacked me, and he talked like he was a kid with Scott.
Despite being weirded out and exceedingly worried, a smile formed on Loki’s face when Dan said, “No, I don’t want to do a tea party, and I’m not gonna wear the tiara today. Let’s go climb trees or play tag.” There was a pause before Dan spoke again. “Yeah, okay, bike riding it is.”
Loki watched as Dan’s lids slipped closed, waiting for him to talk again. After five solid minutes of nothing, he stood, needing to heed the call of nature. “Dan, I’ll be back in a bit.” Snickering, he added, “Behave and don’t go anywhere … you can only ride your bike in the cabin.”
Cabin – Bathroom
Though he hated leaving Dan unattended, especially a
fter witnessing how the fever messed with him, Loki closed the door for privacy out of habit. A nervous chuckle eked out. It isn’t like Dan will be barging in since he can barely walk. Nonetheless, Loki tried to hurry, but inevitably, his desire to rush through his business only slowed things down.
He took a deep breath to relax. What can happen while I’m in here? A snort escaped. This is Dantastic. The better question to ask would be, what couldn’t happen? The list would be shorter.
Recognizing the line of thought to be unproductive, he focused on Dan’s comments about friends. He witnessed first-hand the closeness between Blaze and Winds, which resembled what he shared with Ray. A pang of sadness hit him, realizing what Dan lost when Brody died. A friendship turned into one of chosen brotherhood would be a painful bond to break.
Another lump formed in Loki’s throat as a dreaded thought of what it would be like if Ray died crossed his mind. He would do and risk almost anything to protect his best friend … much the same way Scott and Dan behaved.
So, maybe I’m not as different from the Brodericks, after all. I think I understand Dan’s motivations a little better now. He’s lost two siblings, and I believe he will do all in his power to prevent anyone else he cares about from dying. A noble gesture, but he needs to realize we don’t want to lose him either.
His thoughts shifting like sands in a desert storm, a profound yearning for the photoshopped image of him and Pa together to be real, caused a sigh. But then Loki’s heart warmed as Dan’s one-sided conversation replayed in his head. At least you have Loki and Gina, legacies to carry on your bloodline. Loki takes excellent care of his ma and sisters. A son who would make any father proud.
What followed a long pause, Loki would cherish forever. I’m glad Dante makes you proud, Mr. Baldovino. Peering at the cross hanging on the wall, tears filled his eyes, wanting with all his heart to believe Dan spoke with Pa, and his father was genuinely proud of him.
Loki rubbed his ear when a light buzzing occurred. “I love you, Pa. I’ll always strive to be an honorable man. And if you were talking to Dan, please keep him safe until help arrives … Dantastic needs a guardian angel.”
Cabin – Main Room
Oscillating between hot and cold, Dan shivered and rolled to the right. White-hot daggers stabbed his shoulder, and he dropped to his back. Panting as pain rippled through his upper body, the blood thrumming through his head brought agony with every pulse. As he gained a modicum of control, and his breathing slowed, he became aware of a wet cloth covering his nose and mouth.
Reaching up with his left hand because his right arm was on fire still, he pulled the fabric away. Daring to open his eyelids a slit, needing to determine his location since sounds and odors didn’t provide him any clues. Dan’s heart rate increased, fear welling as he took in his surroundings.
He perceived concrete walls with chains and manacles hanging from them. Turning his head, his stomach clenched as he viewed the drain in the floor and the metal eyelets to which he had been tied to in spread-eagle fashion so many times. The room. I’m in the sadistic bastard’s torture room.
Bringing the damp cloth which he still grasped tightly up to view, Dan confirmed the color. He gasped for air … recalling the only way he got water for three months. Sucking on the purple rag and trying to swallow a measly amount before his tormentors poured the next bucket of water over him. Every day, twice a day, he dealt with his fear of drowning. Though in a sick way looked forward to the brutal torture because waterboarding provided the only source of liquid which only minimally slaked his ever-present thirst.
Rage grew, and he hurled the odious rag as far as possible. When it thwapped on the wall, Dan stared at his hand as a realization hit him. I’m not restrained. Why? How? Doesn’t matter. They finally screwed up and left me unchained. I can escape.
Exerting effort, he pushed upward, using his uninjured arm. Though his entire body ached, and his skull wanted to crack open with every throbbing heartbeat, he refused to waste this opportunity to escape. He tried to stand, but excruciating pain shot through his right leg, and he fell to his knees.
With his whole right side useless, Dan lay on his left and moved much like a snake … left arm extended and pulled his body along, left knee bent and braced, pushing forward, determined to reach the portal to his freedom.
A portion of the speech by Winston Churchill, which his tutor forced him to memorize years ago, popped into his head. ‘Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.’
He bolstered himself with those words and resolved to fight his enemy with all he possessed until he either escaped or died. After expending immense energy, Dan reached his objective. Tugging open the door, a blast of frigid air and snow disoriented him. I’m hallucinating. This must be a sandstorm and stifling hot air. There is no snow there. My mind is screwing with me.
Dan took a deep breath and continued his awkward side-stroke movement into the haboob, which his brain insisted was a blizzard. He ignored the mirage and kept going. I gotta escape and make it back to the unit. The storm will provide me cover to get far away unseen.
Outside Cabin
Though Dan’s body burned from what his delusion presented as the bitter cold snow of a Yukon whiteout and not the torturous molten sands of the Afghanistan desert, he forged onward up an embankment. This time, I’m not staked out on the ground. I endured endless hours of blistering in the sun with no hope of rescue or escape, so I can damn-well tolerate the pain now because it means I’m getting out of this hell-hole.
Cabin – Main Room
Loki exited the bathroom and, in an instant, became aware something was wrong. The cabin door stood wide open, and snow coated the entryway. One glance at the pull-out bed revealed no Dan.
“Holy Crap!” Loki exploded as he raced outside, not bothering to put on his jacket … fear for Dan’s life, driving him to take the risk. Never once did he entertain Dan leaving as one of the scenarios of what might happen. Given his state, Loki didn’t think his teammate would get far, but even a short time out in the weather could be deadly.
Outside Cabin
Having given all he possessed, every last ounce of energy spent and now unable to move, he laid on his stomach on the burning ground. The wind howled like a lonesome wolf, and white sand blew with such ferocity Dan couldn’t see more than a few inches in any direction. Defeat shrouded him as thickly as the sand. I’m not making it back. I’m going to be buried soon. I’m sorry, Brody, I tried … I really tried … I never gave in.
Buffeted by the gale-force winds, shielding his eyes, bent low, and peering at the drag marks in the snow, which were disappearing rapidly, Loki prayed he would find Dan fast. With visibility near zero, he worried he might miss him, but pressed forward. Yelling for him would be useless … the sound would be swept away as it left his mouth.
A man-sized mound appeared after about ten feet. “Thank God!” Loki cried. With no thought of being attacked, only one of saving Dan, Loki dropped to the ground and flipped Dan over. He noted his friend’s bluish lips and a faraway gaze.
Slipping his hands under Dan’s armpits, wishing for the handhold on the back of their tactical vests, knowing he would cause additional pain by lifting his injured shoulder, Loki started to drag his buddy back inside. On the short trip, he pondered what tormenting nightmare drove his friend to leave the warmth and safety of the cabin.
Cabin – Main Room
Shivering, Loki maneuvered Dan beside the hearth, then rushed to shut the cabin’s door. He went to the woodpile and grabbed two logs, needing to increase the room’s heat. Once finished, he snatched a blanket off the bed and began briskly rubbing Dan’s skin to both dry and warm him.
The lack of response, and glazed-over, open eyes, scared the crap out of Loki. When the blanket became too wet, he stripped off
Dan’s soaked boxers and tugged the top sheet from the mattress to cover him. He stood and sprinted to the bedroom to obtain additional blankets from those he stored earlier.
Returning, he laid two on the ground and carefully lifted Dan’s upper body, pivoting him so he could set him down on the warmer surface. He repeated the process with his lower body. Loki pulled the pillows off the couch bed, put one beneath Dan’s head before positioning the other to support Dan’s right arm, hoping he didn’t do further damage to the previously dislocated joint. Next, he towel-dried the golden hair then retrieved the knit cap he set out for later and pulled the stretchy toque on and over Dan’s ears.
Lifting the sheet, Loki checked for signs of frostbite. Glad to not find any, the raging fever likely keeping his core body temperature up, Loki covered Dan with three blankets. The bluish hue to Dan’s lips dissipated, and the rosy splotches due to the fever returned to his cheeks, but the sapphire orbs continued to be scarily vacant.
After taking care of Dan, Loki tended to his own needs. He stripped off his cold, wet shirt and jeans and moved to the luggage to pull out dry clothing for himself. He chose one of his turtlenecks to go with another pair of jeans.
Once redressed, he moved back to Dan, taking a knee and laying his hand on Dan’s left bicep as he witnessed Jim do. A sad smile settled on Loki’s face. “I got you, Dan. I’ll watch over you. You’re going to be alright.” He gave a light squeeze, hoping for a response.
Dan blinked. “Patch?”
Understanding now how the infection-driven fever continued to alter Dan’s perception, Loki answered, “Yeah, Blondie.”
“I hurt … everywhere.”
Drawing a breath, Loki nodded. “I know. Help is on the way. Hold on.”
Meeting Patch’s expressive brown eyes, Dan whispered, “I tried hard, but my escape attempt failed. If I don’t make it, tell Brody I never gave up even when they drove red-hot needles into my gut. I knew my brothers would go above and beyond to find me.” Dan’s eyes rolled back, and he was out.
