About an hour had passed. Several fire apparatuses, including a tanker and crash trucks from multiple companies, arrived on the scene, some with extricating equipment. State and local law enforcement also responded to investigate the crash, write reports, and file the necessary paperwork for the deceased. After the vehicles had been separated, two rollbacks winched each wreckage onto their beds and were preparing to leave.
Elisabeth, who had reached the point of falling asleep while standing up a few times during the wait, approached the two survivors of the crash on her way back to the ambulance to hitch a ride home. “I couldn’t help but notice the two of you don’t have a ride yet. Couldn’t get a hold of anyone?”
“This might sound…peculiar,” the woman began, “but my husband and I don’t carry cell phones.”
Elisabeth looked surprised at first. “I see. Well, you’re welcome to use mine if you like. Or I could call someone for you. It wouldn’t be a problem.”
The man and the woman traded near-expressionless glances.
“We appreciate the offer, as well as your generosity, thank you. But we’ll manage,” the tall man said.
Elisabeth gave them both looks of disbelief. “Are the two of you local?”
No response.
Elisabeth smiled awkwardly. “I’m sorry…I’m just wondering if you’re familiar with the area. Reason being, it’s a really long walk from here to anywhere.”
After a slight hesitation, the man shook his head in the negative. “No. Neither of us are from around here.”
“Where were you headed before this happened?” Elisabeth asked. “I’m sorry…I know the question makes me sound nosey. I’m really not trying to pry.”
The man squinted and pointed to the west, offering Elisabeth a more reassuring smile. “It’s quite all right. We were headed towards Winchester. My wife and I are here visiting family. They live just west of there.”
Elisabeth nodded and grinned with recognition. “Oh, I see. Well, the squad is taking me back to the hospital, which is on that side of town anyway. You want to hitch a ride with us? We could at least get you that far. It sure beats walking there.”
After a bit of deliberation, the couple boarded the ambulance with Elisabeth through the rear door. The ambulance soon left the scene and headed west on US Route 50 toward the town of Winchester.
About ten miles into the trip the radio burped, and a loud sequence of piercing tones blasted over the speaker. Following the tones, the fire and rescue dispatcher announced an emergency call.
Brad, the driver of the squad, reached for the microphone. “Squad three one responding with three.”
Elisabeth whipped her head to the front of the vehicle. “What do you mean three? There are four of us.”
“Nope. There’s three,” he replied. “I was watching you back there, Liz. You need to get some rest. You’re fading fast.”
“I’m tired…but I’m not that tired, Brad.”
“Yes, you are. And you are because I say you are,” Brad said. “You don’t do this day in and day out like we do, Liz.”
“Sure, point that out,” she said. “Why not just insult me and tell me I’m too old or something.”
“That’s not it at all, and you know it. Look, we appreciate all the help and the time you put in. But right now, you need to get some rest. If the hospital calls you back in, you’re going to wish you had it. You’re no good to anyone in the shape you’re in.”
“Did you recently graduate med school without me knowing, doctor DeHaven?”
“Liz…”
Elisabeth huffed. “Fine, fine. Whatever. I guess just take me back to my car, then.”
“Not going to happen,” Brad said, reaching for the lights and sirens. “I’m sorry…we’re on a call now and this train isn’t going that far. You know how that works.”
Elisabeth shook her head in disgust and looked to the husband and wife. “I’m really sorry about this. I’ll get you where you need to be, I promise.”
“It’s no problem. Don’t let us be a burden to you,” the woman said, in the most charming way imaginable.
“Brad, can you at least run me by the house? I’ll get Adam to take me to my car, and we can give these two a ride wherever they need to go.” She turned back to the couple. “Oh gosh…I am so sorry, I feel like an idiot. I just realized—I don’t even know your names.”
The man glanced at his wife and smiled at her, then both of them traded kind stares with Elisabeth. “No need to apologize; we don’t offend easily,” he said, holding out a hand for Elisabeth to shake. “I’m Joel, and this is my wife, Kate.”
“Forgive my husband. It’s Kathrine,” the woman said, then paused and presented her hand. “We’re the Donovans.”
The Story Continues in…
Everything I Die For
A Gun Play Novel: Volume 2
arriving spring 2019
Acknowledgments
First and foremost, my wife and kids. Your support for this hobby turned dream turned part-time writing career has been untiring, and your loyalty means the world to me. I love you.
Thanks to my editor, Sabrina, and my proofreader, Pauline, for working me into your busy schedules and helping make a veritable masterpiece out of my mess. Also, thanks and a shout-out to Felicia Sullivan for cleaning up my blurb for me. I’m indebted to you. I hate writing those things.
Thanks to Kim, Milo, Darja, Tanja and the crew at Deranged Doctor Design once again for their expertise and captivating cover designs. See you guys in Europe!
Thanks to Kevin Pierce, for giving my words meaning and my characters personality. You, sir, are indeed the man. I owe you a hug or two. Or maybe just a beer.
And it goes without saying, I thank you, the reader, for your continued support. I’d call this writer/author gig work, but I enjoy it too much to insult it.
About the Author
C. A. Rudolph is a self-published “indie” novelist who lives and writes within the pastoral boundaries of Virginia’s northern Shenandoah Valley.
His first book, What’s Left of My World, published in December 2016, became an Amazon post-apocalyptic and dystopian best seller.
Readers and fans can find Mr. Rudolph online on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and via his website at
http://www.carudolph.com
Subscribe to the free Preferred Reader’s List.
Until Nothing Remains: A Hybrid Post-Apocalyptic Espionage Adventure (A Gun Play Novel: Volume 1) Page 23
