Compass

by Jeanne McDonald

  “Alexis,” Dale responded, breathless and frantic. “I’m so glad you answered. I’ll skip the formalities and get straight to the point of my call. A plane went down in one of the fields near the airport. All hospitals have been placed on alert, but since we’re one of the closest to the wreckage site, we’re receiving the majority of the casualties. I need all available hands in the ER immediately.”

  Her hand flew to her mouth. Her mind instantly turned to Ryan. “A plane accident?” Alexis gasped. “Where was it coming from?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  A calm, sickening stillness washed over Alexis. Goose bumps formed over her skin. Her stomach dropped and her throat tightened. “Flight number?”

  “I have no idea, all I know is our orders,” Dale stated.

  Alexis glanced up at Mary who was blanched white. Her eyes wide and brimming with tears.

  “Doctor York, are you still there?”

  She bit her lip, fighting back her own tears. This couldn’t be happening. She shook her head, choking back the sickening feeling that swept over her. Maybe it wasn’t Ryan. There were hundreds of flights entering the airport every hour. She sucked in a ragged breath.

  “Alexis?”

  Alexis swallowed hard, dislodging the large lump in her throat.

  Stay positive. It’s not Ryan, she told herself. I’d feel if something was wrong with him. Wouldn’t I?

  “Alexis!”

  “Yes,” she managed to whisper.

  “I need you up here, STAT,” Dale barked.

  “I’m on my way,” she replied, her voice dead and disjointed.

  Mary hung up at the same time Alexis did, but neither said a word. Instead, they started to dial numbers. Alexis called Ryan, but immediately got his voicemail. She tried again with the same result.

  Again.

  And Again.

  No answer.

  “Oh, thank God!” Mary cried out, tears poured down her cheeks. “Shane. Are you okay?”

  Alexis dialed Ryan again, her legs bouncing at their highest speed. She had one ear turned to Mary, waiting to hear any news.

  “Oh, Jesus,” she breathed, covering her mouth, as she made eye contact with Alexis. There was his voicemail again. “Are they sure?” A long pause ensued and Mary nodded her head. “Yeah, I’m with her right now.” Another pause, the expression on Mary’s face had darkened. “I’ll tell her.”

  “Tell me what?” Alexis demanded.

  Mary whispered a sweet goodbye to Shane and disconnected her call. “Lexi.” Her bottom lip quivered. “I’m sorry.” She rubbed her hand across her chin, her head shaking in slow motion.

  Alexis slid out of her seat, falling to her knees. “No! Oh, God! No!” Pure terror ripped through her. The world stopped. Her whole body shook with fear. She couldn’t breathe. This couldn’t be happening. Not when they were so happy.

  Mary tossed her phone aside, tumbling out of her chair to reach Alexis. She pulled Alexis into her arms, cradling her. “Shane says he spoke with the airline. They’re not sure what happened yet, but rescuers are on sight.”

  A deep sob ripped out of Alexis’ chest. Mary pulled her up from the floor, back onto the couch. She held Alexis tight, allowing her a moment to collect herself. “The hos...hospital needs us,” Alexis stammered.

  “Are you able─?”

  Alexis stood up, rubbing her hands down her thighs. “I c-can,” she exhaled, “I have to…” Alexis shook her head as if to fight off some sort of mental disorientation. “If he’s there, I have to find him.”

  Mary bounced off the sofa. “Go change. I’ll drive.”

  Alexis pulled her into a quick hug, then ran up to her bedroom, where she changed into her scrubs. She didn’t care what she looked like. There was only one thing on her mind─Ryan. She had to get to him, no matter the cost.

  In Mary’s coupe, the engine revved as they sped down the freeway. Alexis forced herself to breathe, as she took in deep, slow breaths before she exhaled just as slow. Her body felt cool and clammy, yet sweaty at the same time. Off in the distance, she could see the billows of smoke filling the sky.

  In her pocket, she felt her phone vibrate. She ripped it out, a smidge of hope bubbling inside her that it was Ryan calling her to tell her he was safe. That bubble was crushed when she discovered it was Declan calling her.

  “I’m already on my way to the hospital,” he parried.

  “Deck, please, tell me this is a dream.” Mary reached across the center console, squeezing Alexis by the knee. Alexis took her friend’s hand, clutching it just as tight.

  “I wish I could, but I got confirmation. Ryan was on that flight.”

  “I know. I’m with Mary. Shane already told us. What the hell happened?” she cried.

  “All we know from the tower is that they lost altitude. They believe it was engine trouble.”

  “This can’t be happening.”

  “Are you okay?” Declan asked; his timbre soft but concerned.

  The whirl of the engine screamed as Mary weaved in and out of traffic. The closer they got to the hospital, the clearer the fire and smoke became. People pulled over to the side of the road, staring at the clouds of gray smoke and the steady stream of flames licking the mid-evening skyline. “No, I’m not. I won’t be okay until I know Ryan’s all right. I can’t lose him again. Not like this...”

  “I know, Doc. I know. It’s going to be okay. Ryan’s the best pilot I know. He’s going to be all right. He has to be,” his voice came out in a desperate whisper. Alexis wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince her or himself. His words should have been encouraging, but to Alexis they felt empty and meaningless.

  “Thanks, Deck.” A jolt of emotion stabbed her in the chest. She screwed her eyes shut, fighting her heart with everything she had.

  “Alexis, we’re here,” Mary stated, releasing her hand.

  Alexis’ eyes flew open to see flames licking the night sky, brightening it with hues of orange and blue. Chaos already filled the hospital parking lot with people trying to find their missing loved ones. “Hey, I’ve got to go. I’m here and this place is a madhouse.”

  “I’ll be there shortly,” Declan stated. “Oh, and Alexis?” There was a softness to his timbre that tugged at her chest.

  “Yeah?”

  “Ryan never gave up on you, so don’t you dare give up on him.”

  Amongst all the commotion, Alexis couldn’t help but smile at the tender thought. “I’ll find him. I promise I will.”

  “I know you will. Be safe, Doc.”

  Alexis said a quick goodbye and slipped her phone away. She glanced over to Mary who was in a mad haste to park the car. Every spot, including the assigned parking was taken. They had to park out on the street, but once stopped, they grabbed their stuff, jumped out of the car, and dashed into the hospital.

  The hideous stench of blood, smoke, and burnt flesh siphoned all of the fresh air from the lower half of the hospital. Gurneys were being pushed in by the droves. The halls were lined with injured and mangled bodies perched on bleached cotton linens screaming in agony and despair. The pale stains of tears mixed with blood splattered the usually white walls of the facility.

  Total chaos erupted in the emergency room. Orders were shouted from every direction but they were mere noise in a sea of panic.

  In the corner, Alexis and Mary watched as triage nurses tried to calm family members, begging for information regarding their loved ones.

  Mary grabbed a passing doctor, demanding some instructions. The doctor directed them to the triage counter where everyone was discarding their belongings. In haste, the two women did as they were told. Before tucking her bag under the desk, Alexis pulled two things from her wallet─ a photo of Ryan and the tiny red compass she’d grabbed before leaving her apartment. Having those two items gave her hope and renewed her faith that she would find him alive.

  Together, Alexis and Mary rushed into the corridors of the ER on a mission to locate Ryan. Fear gripped Alex
is as she observed the carnage from the wreckage. She covered her face with a surgical mask in hopes to alleviate the putrid odor, but even the cloth covering was of no assistance.

  Doctors and nurses rushed by, each one working diligently to tend to patients as fast as they could. Orders were yelled out at random. No one could seem to make heads or tails of what was going on. The only thing they were all certain of was the large amount of bodies flooding in.

  Down the hall, Alexis caught sight of Dale. His light green scrubs were covered in blood, and sweat poured down his brow as he tended to an injured passenger. “There’s Dale,” Alexis yelled to Mary. Mary nodded and they moved toward their boss, hoping to get orders as to where they were needed. Alexis clung to a shred of hope that Dale might even have some information regarding Ryan.

  As they approached their boss, a hand reached out from one of the blood soaked sheets, grabbing Alexis by the wrist. Alexis was startled by the touch and turned to see the hand belonged to a man wearing what was once an airline uniform. She searched his eyes hoping to find that hint of green through the blood stained orbs.

  “Is it you?” she rasped, observing the man’s mangled face. His skin was black and red; burned from the fire. The man only groaned, indicating the severity of his pain.

  “Ryan?”

  The man garbled something that Alexis couldn’t make out. Something about him was familiar, she knew him, but couldn’t place him. What she did know was this man wasn’t Ryan.

  “I’m Doctor York,” she offered. “We’re going to help you.”

  “Kix?” Mary moved around Alexis. “Buddy, is that you?”

  The man groaned, attempting to nod.

  “Holy shit!” Mary hissed. “It’s the captain.”

  Alexis gasped, realizing whom it was. All she wanted to do was grill him about Ryan’s whereabouts, but he was in too much pain to talk. She flagged down a doctor in the distance. He darted toward her, while she continued to hold the injured man’s hand. “Morphine. This man needs morphine,” she instructed.

  Mary leaned into Kix. “Are you allergic to anything we should know about?” she asked, her voice raised.

  Kix merely moaned in pain.

  The doctor produced a syringe from his pocket. “There’s more in supplies. You’ll want to stock up,” he advised, rushing off before either woman could advise him of their discovery.

  Alexis administered the narcotic to Kix. “This’ll help. I promise.” She patted his hand.

  “Fisher,” he said, tightening his grasp on her wrist. Alexis jumped, stunned at the amount of strength he displayed in his current state.

  “Say that again?” Alexis beseeched him.

  “Fisher,” his voice wavered as the drugs began to take their effect. “Find him?”

  “Not yet. I will though.”

  Kix squeezed her hand tighter, trying to lift himself from the gurney. “You...have to find him,” he struggled, “saved my life.”

  He coughed hard from talking, causing him to spit up blood. Mary grabbed a bedpan from the foot of his gurney, holding it up to his mouth.

  “Kix, you have to calm down,” Mary warned. “We’re going to find Ryan. Don’t you worry.”

  “Please. He’s…” Kix’s eyes rolled into the back of his head. His mouth flopped open. The grip he had on Alexis faltered.

  “Kix?” Mary called. “Kix. Wake up.” She shook him, but got no response.

  Alexis checked his pulse. It was there but fading. She yelled out, “I have the Captain here. I repeat, I have the Captain!”

  A young doctor rushed over, pushing Alexis and Mary aside. Alexis gave the doctor a rundown of what she’d observed and the medication provided. Mary explained how they knew the man. Alexis glanced down at the doctor’s chest, catching a glimpse of the name on his ID badge, Doctor Michael Rucker.

  As the two women talked, Doctor Rucker examined Kix. He waved over two orderlies. “We need to get him into the OR, now.” He rushed his fingers through his already disheveled blond hair, his brown eyes turned to Alexis and Mary. He produced a faint smile.

  “Thank you. We’ve got it from here,” Doctor Rucker advised.

  Alexis grabbed the doctor by the arm, not letting him walk away so easily. “Do you know if we’ve located the First Officer?”

  The young doctor’s face contorted. “Not that I’m aware of.”

  Alexis released the doctor, her heart sinking in her chest. The very thought of Ryan still being among the missing left her feeling cold and numb. She looked around the open space of the hospital. These were people, broken, injured, and in need of her care. It was her job, her responsibility to aid them and while she wanted nothing more in the world than to find Ryan, she had a duty to perform.

  She heard Mary say something to the doctor, but didn’t pay attention. Everything inside her shut down except the need to assist.

  Mary grabbed Alexis by the shoulders. “We’ll keep looking,” she whispered to Alexis.

  Alexis stepped out of Mary’s grasp. Her natural instinct kicked in. Push down the pain. Don’t acknowledge it. All she had to do was throw herself into her work. It was what she was good at and all she could rely on. “Agreed, but I think we need to separate.”

  “Um, are you sure?” Mary examined Alexis. “I don’t like the idea of…”

  Alexis lifted her hand, determination in her stance. “I’m fine, Mary. I get your concern. I really do, but now that we’re here, I know what I need to do. Ryan is out there, waiting on us to find him, but we have to help all of them.” She pointed toward the rows of beds. “We’re obligated to help.”

  Lines appeared between Mary’s brows. To Alexis, it was obvious that Mary didn’t agree with the decision, but Alexis knew if they remained together, she wouldn’t be able to continue with the job she needed to do. Mary was a reminder that Ryan was missing, and right now, she needed to focus on the task at hand.

  Mary pulled Alexis to her chest, hugging her tight. “We’re going to find Ryan, okay? We’re going to find him.”

  Alexis clung to Mary; her hands fisted the back of Mary’s top. “Agreed.”

  The two women parted, each going separate ways with a promise to meet each other, in that exact spot, in two hours. Once Mary was out of sight, Alexis dove into helping the flow of patients entering the facility.

  The quarters were cramped with bodies making the rooms hotter than normal. The stench of death surrounded her. Each person she came across, she helped to the best of her ability. Alexis was focused, and driven, which allowed her to block out the constant ache in her chest. That steady thrum of fear that tried to creep into her mind whenever she assisted someone who turned out not to be Ryan, telling her that the man she loved was forever lost.

  Work was easy. She could get lost in issuing a prognosis. This was what she was trained for. While lost inside the job, she didn’t have to feel. She didn’t have to think beyond issuing her next command, and Alexis had no qualms in shouting orders when necessary. The vile smell of blood and singed flesh was sickening. It turned her stomach, yet still she trudged on.

  “Tell me what we have?” Alexis asked a nurse as she approached her next patient.

  “Female, approximately thirty years old, possible broken pelvis on the right side, left leg broken, and possible concussion.”

  The woman grabbed for Alexis, crying hysterically. “My son. Where’s my son?”

  “Calm down, ma’am,” Alexis tried to console the woman.

  “No! Where’s my son? He was in the bathroom on the plane when it went down. You have to help me find him. He’s only six,” she pleaded. “I never should’ve let him go alone. Please, help me!”

  Alexis turned to the nurse, her brow raised in a silent question. The nurse shook her head slightly, providing Alexis a confirmation that the whereabouts of the child were unknown.

  “Kyle!” the woman screamed in agony. “Where’s my son? Kyle!”

  “I need you to calm down,” Alexis commanded, her tone s
trong and powerful. She looked to the nurse. “Have we verified allergies?”

  “I, um,” the nurse stammered, looking through the paperwork provided by the medics.

  Alexis let out a huff of impatience. “Any day now,” she snapped.

  The nurse glanced up, a snarl flaring her nose. “Yes. All clear, Doctor,” she smarted back.

  Alexis pulled a syringe from her pocket and inserted the needle into the woman’s vein. “This should help calm her,” she instructed the nurse. The drugs did the trick and the woman settled, her eyelids closed. Alexis took the opportunity to examine her patient. “She needs to be sent down for x-rays for her pelvis and then Ortho will need to come put a cast on her leg.”

  “Yes, Doctor,” the nurse replied.

  Alexis started to walk away, and the nurse grabbed her by the arm. “Doctor, can I make an evaluation?”

  “Are you disputing my prognosis?” Alexis questioned.

  “Not at all. You’re a good doctor. There’s no disputing that, but I think you need to take a step back, though. You almost snapped that woman’s head off, not to mention mine.”

  Alexis met the blue-grey of the nurse’s eyes. The woman meant well, but her accusations only brought forth the ache that Alexis was trying to bury down. “I beg your pardon?” she sneered.

  “See! Right there. Doctor, step outside. No one will look down on you for taking a break. You need a break.” The nurse crossed her arms over her chest in defiance.

  “Fine,” Alexis barked. She ripped her mask from her face and the gloves from her hands, as she headed toward the exit. It bugged her, because she knew the nurse was right. Not that she’d ever give her the satisfaction of telling her so.

  Alexis reached the fresh air of the outside. One glance at the smog drifting in from the wreckage and all of the emotions she’d pushed down spilled forth. She slid down the side of the wall, crying to the point of convulsions. He’d promised her that she’d never have to fall. And she did. She fell hard for him, and now he was going to leave her─alone.

  She rocked on the balls of her feet. Tears poured down her cheeks and neck. “Ryan, where are you?” she whispered to the emptiness around her.