No Safe Haven

by Kimberley Woodhouse

Time for action.

  Cole grabbed the girls and raced them to some nearby boulders. The drifts were high enough here.

  Jenna and Andie looked to him for direction, fear apparent in their eyes. No questions asked this time. Just pure trust.

  He pulled their heads toward his so they could hear him. "I'm going to bury you in the snow. I need you to jump into the drifts behind these rocks and cover up as much as you can. I'll bury the gear, and then check to make sure you're covered."

  Andie nodded. Jenna yanked off her ski mask and bit her lip.

  "What is it, Jenna?"

  "I . . . I . . . don't think I can do that . . . be buried, I mean . . . I—"

  He grabbed her shoulders. "You don't have a choice. This isn't a game." He didn't temper the sharp edge to his words. This was no time for fear. "Just remember to breathe slowly, and don't move. We cannot let them see us."

  Andie tugged on his arm. "But what about you, Cole?"

  "I'm a little less conspicuous than you two." He pointed to Jenna's red ski jacket and Andie's bright purple one. "Now move! Then stay still."

  Within seconds, the girls were digging in and hauling snow on top of themselves. He buried the gear, and then finished covering them, making sure they couldn't be seen.

  The sound of the helicopter was still far below them, and he worked fast, hoping they wouldn't spot his movement. The blizzard that had almost taken their lives three days ago had provided the snow that would hopefully save their lives today.

  Tucked into his own cocoon of snow, he listened.

  And waited.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  JENNA

  April 10

  Sultana, Denali National Park

  9:14 a.m.

  Cold penetrated Jenna's layers, but that didn't stop her body from sweating.

  Fear oozed out of every pore and wiggled its way into her insides, tightening like a vise on her organs.

  Breathe. Just breathe.

  Now was not the time to panic. The childhood nightmare resurfaced—one where she was buried alive. No! She needed to stay calm and quiet to protect her daughter. To protect Cole. It'd been a long time since tight spaces had caused a reaction, mainly because she hadn't been alone in a small space since before Andie was born. The need to protect her daughter had always over-powered her fear.

  Until now.

  God! Help us! Protect us . . . Please . . .

  She prayed for the snow to be deep enough. She prayed for the chopper to not get too close. She prayed for enough air for all of them to breathe.

  "'What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee . . .'" The words slipped past her lips in a bare whisper.

  The roar of the helicopter grew, the mountain beneath her vibrating with the rumble.

  It must be right on top of them.

  What if it blew all the snow off them? What if they found Andie before Jenna and she never had the chance to tell her daughter good-bye? Just like Marc.

  Please, God! Don't let them find my baby.

  The roar continued. Was it hovering?

  Sweat trickled down her back, sending chills up and down her spine. She tuned her ears in to all the sounds around her.

  There! Snow crunched. Steps. Getting closer.

  They're coming!

  If only she could see. The walls of her snow tomb closed in. Where were they?

  The rhythmic sound of the chopper blades faded. But the footsteps surrounded her. How many were searching?

  Calm down. Calm down. They can't see us, we're covered in snow. "'What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee . . .'" Peace flowed through her.

  "'What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee—'"

  "Over there!" The muffled shout reached her ears.

  Oh, no! She'd said it out loud!

  The crunching drew closer. More muffled shouts.

  "'What time I am afraid . . .'" God, now would be a good time to intervene.

  "What's that? Rook! Check your nine."

  Rapid gunfire resonated through the snowy layers.

  Jenna's heart seized so hard pain shot through her. Had they just shot Cole? Andie? What was happening?

  She couldn't breathe. It was as though the enemy grasped her throat with prickly fingers.

  I. Will. Trust. In. Thee! God! Do something!

  Too late, she realized she was hyperventilating. "'I . . . will . . . trust . . .'"

  Spots danced in front of her eyes, and as her body relaxed of its own will, blessed peace took over, covering her in a blanket of quiet.

  * * *

  LEAPER

  9:16 a.m.

  He hated helicopters. The radio crackled in his headset.

  "Sir! Sir!"

  Leaper rolled his eyes, gritting his teeth against the pain. "What is it, Rookie?"

  "Didn't you hear me? I repeat, there are footprints."

  He exhaled a frosty breath. "Yes, I heard you. There are no footprints but our guys'. Did you check to the west like I asked?"

  "But, sir, I beg to differ, there are definitely footprints."

  "Shut up, Rook! I've already checked it out. We are returning. Be at rendezvous in sixty seconds."

  "Leaper! I think you need to hear me out—"

  "That was an order! Get back here before I decide to leave you on this mountain!"

  "Yes, sir."

  The ache in his head continued. He had to remain in control, could show no sign of weakness.

  As the rookie climbed up the ladder, he made a decision.

  The kid was no longer a valued member of the team.

  * * *

  ANDIE

  April 10

  Sultana, Denali National Park

  9:51 a.m.

  Brilliant white surrounded me as I waited. I couldn't hear the chopper floating above us. It must have left. I didn't hear the footsteps anymore. But what comfort did that really give?

  What was happening?

  If the bad guys won, it'd be over. If we didn't get off the mountain, it'd be over. If we didn't get out of these holes and get more oxygen soon, it'd be over . . .

  A small hole appeared above my head and snow fell onto my face. I saw a gloved hand pulling the snow back.

  Oh, no, they've found me!

  As the hole got bigger sunlight streamed through—what sunlight there was—but it was enough to make me close my eyes.

  No wait, that's because I was scared.

  "Andie?" Cole's voice drifted through the hole.

  Cole?

  No, that must have been my imagination. He wouldn't uncover us so soon, would he? Maybe the bad guys are holding him hostage and he's worried about me.

  Almost all the snow was off me and someone's huffing sounded above my head.

  Go away, you evil-chopper-flyin'-devil!

  "Andie, Einstein, talk to me . . . Andie, wake up!" Chilly hands held my head.

  I opened my eyes, forcing them to focus. Brown hair, brown eyes, broad shoulders, and relief etched on a hasn't-been-shaved-in-a-while face.

  "Cole? . . . Cole!" I threw my arms around his neck and squeezed. Thank You, God! "We're alive! They didn't find us!"

  "Squirt, you really had me worried." His strong arms squeezed me.

  A smile crept onto my face. "Cole?"

  "Yeah?"

  I tilted my head and nestled against his shoulder. "Thanks."

  "No, thank you, Einstein." He pulled back and smiled at me.

  "For what?"

  He turned his head sideways, brow scrunched.

  I followed his gaze. Mom!

  His eyes clouded as he crawled over to her. "We need to get your mom out. Crawl around to the other side and star
t digging."

  We dug, side-by-side.

  Cole pulled Mom's limp form out.

  Uh-oh . . .

  Cole's arms moved swiftly as he laid her head by his knee and again tried to awaken her.

  "Mom?" Moments slurred by as we watched her deep breathing.

  "She's asleep." Cole shook her shoulder again.

  She stirred.

  I sighed. Thanks, God.

  "Jenna?" Cole placed his hand on her head. "Jenna? Can you hear me?"

  Her eyes slid open. "Cole . . . Where's Andie?"

  Mothers.

  "Mom, I'm right here." I grabbed her hand and squeezed.

  She sat up, her face scrunching as if each and every muscle was refusing to cooperate.

  "Jenna, you're sick. Lie back down." Cole tugged her back toward the ground.

  Anger reflected on her face as she jerked her arm away. "Excuse me, Mr. Maddox, I'm capable of sitting up. A little pain won't do me any harm."

  Cole raised his eyebrows and held his hands up. "Oh. Well, pardon me."

  Mom nodded and sat up. "Better."

  "You two are hysterical. You should fight like this more often just for the fun of it." I poked Cole on the shoulder. "You could win America's Funniest Home Videos."

  Mom blushed and Cole stared.

  "I guess that was kind of silly of me. I'm sorry, Cole."

  "No need to be."

  I smiled and took a deep breath. Although the air burned my chest, it felt good to be in the fresh air again.

  "I think it's safe to say that we can start climbing down now." Cole stood up and wiped snow from his pants.

  "Okay, I'm ready." I jumped up.

  Mom stared at me.

  I smiled back. You're gonna have to trust him sooner or later. After all, we're stranded on a mountain together.

  Cole unburied our packs and handed them to us. "Okay. Let's get started. And Andie, you might want to retie your shoes."

  I looked down. Oh.

  The thick shoelaces looked dejected and sad.

  I retied my right, but paused while tying the left. It was bigger than the right one. My shoe felt tighter—much tighter.

  I loosened the laces and started tying it again. It hurt. Was it from my fall?

  No, I must've had the laces too tight.

  "You guys ready? We should start moving." Cole did a quick glance-check at where our packs had been.

  Always being careful. Just like Dad.

  "I'm . . ." Mom stood up and grunted. "I'm ready."

  "Me too."

  We hooked back up to our harnesses, Cole going first, me second, and Mom in the back. Then we started climbing down.

  My lungs still hurt as we climbed, but knowing that the air would get thicker comforted me. And I assumed Mom and Cole too.

  Within the first ten crampon-jabbing steps my ankle started to feel funny. Three steps after that it twisted weird. Then it moved so I stood on the side on my foot.

  I looked down at my shoe. When we stop I'll check it.

  Each time I stabbed my crampon into the ice it twisted weirder, it was heavier and I wished more that we could stop so I could check it.

  Then it started to hurt. Really bad.

  Just a little bit farther, a few more steps. I distracted my mind by thinking of Dasha, my black-and-white husky with amazing blue eyes that always got her what she wanted. Like treats and attention.

  Again, I jammed my crampon into the snow but the movement pushed my ankle back in the wrong direction. I tripped and started doing a somersault down toward Cole, pulling Mom with me.

  "Eeeek!"

  The rope stiffened as Cole yanked it toward him and grunted. Mom scrambled to get her crampons into the ice and I followed.

  I screeched again as my foot slipped, making it harder to stab my crampon into the ice. My breaths came in huffs as Cole started climbing up toward us.

  "Are you two okay? Did you hurt anything?" He huffed and puffed as he stared at my eyes through the goggles.

  "Andie? Baby, are you okay?" Mom scooted closer and rubbed my shoulder.

  Was I? "I . . . I'm fine. Just a little shocked, that's all." I nodded and looked at Cole. Did he know something was wrong?

  If he did, I hoped he'd explain it to me. All I knew was that I couldn't think clear enough to figure it out for myself.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  COLE

  April 10

  Sultana, Denali National Park

  4:58 p.m.

  They'd made good progress today, but Cole wanted to make it back to the crash site. The sleds were there, and he needed to check for a working radio.

  The events of the day had taken their toll. Andie was skittish, jumping every time she heard a different noise, and she kept falling down. A lot. Jenna seemed to be in a daze, kept pulling her ski mask up as if she couldn't breathe, and biting her bottom lip. They both looked like they could collapse at any moment.

  Forging ahead, he hoped that at the next drop-off he'd be able to see where they had crashed. He pulled out the altimeter—they were about 1,000 feet above it.

  A few more yards and he reached the ledge. There it was. The plane wasn't visible under all the snow, but he saw the debris field the avalanche created. He'd be able to find it. He stopped and waited for the girls, wanting to share the good news.

  As he looked back, Andie tumbled toward him. Jenna not far behind.

  The buckles of his pack came apart with a flick of his fingers, and he threw it down. "Andie?"

  She looked up at him with those big, blue puppy-dog eyes.

  "Andie, what happened?"

  "I just fell, Cole. I'm all right."

  Cole glanced at Jenna. Exhaustion covered every inch of her.

  "Andie," he jerked off his head gear and raked his hand through his hair, "there's something you're not telling me."

  Tears filled her little-girl eyes. "I just fell. I'm sorry."

  Cole hated to push it, but his gut told him that wasn't the whole story. "You need to shoot straight with me."

  "Cole!" Jenna's shout wrenched him back around.

  His eyebrows shot up.

  "Let me take care of this. You've done enough." She limped toward Andie, her complexion a nasty gray, but her eyes steel determination.

  "Jenna, look at you! You're exhausted and sick. You can't see that there's something else going on here." He turned his attention back to Andie. "Something happened up there during the blizzard—"

  "Cole, I said . . . let me handle this." Jenna clenched her teeth and grabbed the front of his jacket.

  Andie shook her head, tears ready to spill.

  Cole ignored Jenna and spoke to Andie. "If you're hurt, let me check it out. You've been falling down—"

  "Cole—"

  "—and you always used to shift your weight from one leg to the other, and now you don't. You subconsciously try, but end up putting all the weight on the one leg."

  Andie's tears flowed now. "I didn't want to be a bother. I kept slowing you down. I'm sorry. I didn't know I was really hurt—"

  "Co—" The hand on his jacket went limp. Jenna plummeted to the ground.

  * * *

  ANDIE

  April 10

  Sultana, Denali National Park

  5:16 p.m.

  "Mom!" Things seemed to run in slow motion. Cole caught Mom just before she hit the ground.

  "Jenna!" Cole laid her on the ground and took off his mask. "Andie, get the emergency bag!"

  I ran as fast as my legs would carry me over to the brown bag, and scooped it up. My ankle kept giving away and slowed me down. What's going on with this thing?

  I made it over to Cole and pass
ed him the heavy pack.

  His jaw clenched as he worked to push her pant leg up. It wouldn't budge. Her leg was too swollen. He pulled something out of his pocket and started cutting and ripping her pant leg.

  I sucked in air.

  Blood seeped out of the bandages.

  "Andie, don't look."

  As Cole unrolled the wrappings, the smell drifted up my nose and I turned around. God, please don't let it be infected. "Cole, is she okay?"

  There was no reply.

  "Cole?"

  "I don't know."

  "No . . . she has to be okay!" I stood up and started pacing. "I've had enough of all this pain, I've had enough of all this danger, and I've had enough of all this fear! I want to go home with you and Mom and stay locked up forever, and be happy and alone and not have to worry about danger and mountains and bad guys and—"

  "Andie!"

  My foot gave away again and I fell onto my rear end. My brain stopped its tirade as I recovered from the stun.

  "Andie?"

  I knew he didn't want to leave Mom's side, but I couldn't move. Every bone in my body ached along with my emotions. "Cole, this is just too much." I laid down with my back to him and closed my eyes.

  Cole's stern voice made them pop back open.

  "Now you listen here, young lady, we're not giving up. Your Mom needs us, now more than ever. You have to be strong."

  I didn't want to answer, I didn't want to move. But I knew he was right.

  "Andie?"

  "Okay. If you promise to help me."

  "Squirt, we're in this together, remember?"

  "Okay."

  He rebandaged mom's leg and covered her up. "I need you to come here."

  I stood up and walked over, head hanging.

  "I'm going down to the crash site."

  My head shot up. "What? Why?" You promised not to leave!

  "When we left we packed emergency supplies onto the sleds and buried them for when we made our way back down. I need to go and find those supplies so we can put your mom on one of the sleds. Can you stay here and watch over her?"