Dealing with the Devil (The Earthwalker Trilogy Book 1)

by Siddoway, Jennifer

  “I’m already on it!” Lacey’s voice called up to us from the stage. “Is everyone else okay?”

  “Alright, let’s get you down,” Ryan mumbled against my hair as he helped me to my feet. “You got this, Phillip? I’m going to climb down ahead of you, so I can catch her if she falls.”

  “Sure.”

  A masculine set of arms wrapped around my waist as he helped me limp over to the ladder. Ryan was one step ahead of us, climbing down the rickety ladder and waiting on the stage below. My hands were useless claws at this point, and my right arm hung limply at my side.

  Very carefully, Phillip helped me climb down, step by step. He steadied me as I had to throw my entire good arm over the rungs so my mangled hands wouldn’t brush against the rusted metal.

  Each step took three times longer than I was used to, but with their help I eventually made it down. Lacey was still on the phone with 911 and came running up to us when she saw the blood streaming down my wrists. “Oh, Wynn…”

  “She wasn’t wearing gloves?” the director gasped.

  “I took them off after the change was done,” I responded tearfully. “I was just watching the show when I heard the rope break behind me. Is everyone else okay?”

  “Everyone else is fine,” Lacey said. “The ambulance is on its way. I already called your dad — he’s going to meet us at the hospital.”

  People gathered around when they heard us talking and gawked at the mangled skin that was formerly my palms. Everyone else seemed fine, just a couple scrapes and bruises, which was the only thing I cared about.

  “How…? You could have been killed,” the director told me dumbfounded.

  “I know, but they needed time to get out of the way.”

  She stared at me in shock for a moment and then said, “Let's get you cleaned up. Ryan, can you take her to the lobby?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ryan held me in his arms like a child and carried me towards the lobby. I rested my head against his shoulder as he walked, rocking back and forth with every step. He was careful to keep my dislocated shoulder away from his body so he wouldn’t jostle it and called out behind him, “Somebody get her bag! It’s in the dressing room.”

  I heard footsteps go running off in that direction and flinched when Ryan reached for the doorknob. He set me down in the auditorium lobby and held the door open for me. I sat down on the carpet and blanched at the jolt of pain that radiated from my shoulder.

  Ryan's brow set with worry when he saw the full extent of the damage and knelt beside me on the ground. “That's pretty bad,” he whispered.

  I nodded. “The doctors are going to take care of it.”

  “Couldn't you…?”

  I shook my head, “No, I’ve never done healing before and even if I could, I wouldn't. That’d be too suspicious, they’ve all seen the blood. Anyways, I deserve this.”

  When the ambulance pulled up I was surprised to see Kevin jump out the back and hurry towards me through the double doors. “Hey there, squirt,” he muttered playfully, in an attempt to alleviate the tension. “You hanging in there okay?”

  “You know this guy?” Lacey asked.

  Kevin chuckled, trying to keep me at ease and I couldn’t help but smile weakly too. “Yeah, Lace. He's my brother in-law.”

  “Future brother in-law,” he corrected, examining and evaluating my hands critically. “You wanna tell me what happened?”

  “One of the ropes on the fly rail snapped,” the director told him angrily. “Wynn was up there and didn’t time to put her gloves on when it started coming down … she grabbed it with her bare hands to slow it down; probably saved a dozen lives in the process.”

  “It was amazing,” Phillip complimented.

  “Not the word I would use,” I told him dryly. “My shoulder popped weird too.”

  “All right, well I'm going to give you something for the pain. You're going to feel a little pinch.” I flinched when the syringe first penetrated my arm and then relaxed when it pulled out. I started feeling numb right away and my eyes grew heavy. “You still feeling okay?” he asked.

  “Yeah, just a little tired.”

  “It’s the adrenaline,” Kevin informed me. “You start to crash when it burns out of your system.”

  “I don't think so,” his co-worker argued as he removed the blood pressure cuff from my arm. “She's going into shock, look at her pupils!”

  The room above me started spinning and my vision was getting cloudy. Kevin put down the gauze and flipped over my hand to see a bluish tinge to the edge of my cuticles—a tale-tell sign of a dangerous drop in blood pressure. His eyes widened slightly with concern and he patted my face to keep me conscious. “Wynn, stay with me! You can’t fall asleep now, we have to get you to the hospital.”

  “The rope … hurt my hands…” I slurred at the two of them dreamily.

  “Wynn! You’ve got to focus,” I heard Kevin scream at me.

  “Kevin, we've got to move her now,” the other technician stated. I felt the weightlessness of being lifted onto a gurney and then my entire world went dark.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Smoke and Mirrors

  I woke up in an unfamiliar white room. My head throbbed with pain and I touched the bloodstained bandages wrapped tightly around my hands. “Augh!” I groaned from the sharp pang that radiated from my shoulder. It was only then that I realized my arm was in a sling and I’d been changed into a hospital gown.

  The sound of my discomfort roused my father from his shallow sleep where he had collapsed in one of the chairs. He jumped at the sound of my voice. Nate and Elyse were here too, both sleeping in makeshift beds under the thin, drabby hospital blankets. “Hey, you're up,” he greeted sleepily. “You gave us quite a fright.”

  “Yeah, sorry about that,” I told him with a grimace. “How else am I going to keep you on your toes?”

  Dad sighed with relief as I rolled over to cough into the pillow so I didn’t wake the others. It sent a rippling of pain across my ribs and through my shoulder.

  “Well, I can see you've got your humor back, that’s a good sign.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see about that,” I responded hoarsely. I flinched while trying to reposition myself on the bed and Dad was on his feet in an instant to help me. I laid back against the pillow and asked, “What happened and why am I connected to all these wires?”

  There was an IV taped to the crook of my elbow and I had a thin plastic tube looped around my face, blowing oxygen into my nose. Dad sighed and scratched the back of his neck before responding, “The doctors had to put you under some general anesthetic while they put your shoulder back — it'll be six to eight weeks for a full recovery. However, your hands got the worst of it — third degree burns and there was talk of doing a skin graft. They’re going to take some time to heal, so be careful with them. I’m sure Doctor Rutherford will come in to explain everything. I'll let them know you're up.”

  I nodded weakly and watched him leave in the pale blue light from my heart monitor. While I waited for him to return, I pulled the nasal cannula from my nose and smacked my lips to relieve the dryness. “Blech!”

  Elyse sighed softly in her sleep and Nate was curled up in one of the crappy reclining chairs with a blanket pulled up around his shoulders. He looked so peaceful, the corner of my mouth edged up into a smile.

  Dad came back a few minutes later with Dr. Rutherford two steps behind him. “Welcome back, Miss Hendricks. I understand you've become quite the celebrity!”

  “Do what now?” I asked him a little confused.

  “Your father didn't tell you? We’ve got police officers and a news crew wanting to do an interview the moment you get up. I was able to keep them in the waiting room for now, but sooner or later they're going to want to speak with you.”

  “I didn't want to overwhelm her,” my father told him sharply, taking a protective stance in front of me. “And let me remind you that my daughter is still a minor and you are not authorized to discuss the
details of her case with anyone except me. Am I making myself clear?”

  The doctor ignored his tone and responded, “Crystal clear. But she should know there's a camera crew waiting for her just outside so she's prepared to deal with that when we discharge her.” Dad relaxed in his stance slightly and took a step back so the doctor could examine me. “Now, Wynonna, how are you feeling?” His hands gently probed my shoulder and neck.

  “My head hurts,” I told him honestly. “And my hands feel like they went through a meat grinder.”

  “They might as well have! The damage would have been about the same!”

  “Also, my shoulder is in a lot of pain.”

  He nodded and wrote something on his notepad. “That's going to hurt for quite some time still. You took quite a beating up there. I'll have the nurse come in and up your morphine. Try to get some rest, and in the morning we’ll see how the lab work looks and talk about getting you discharged.”

  “Thank you, Doctor Rutherford.”

  He smiled brusquely at my gratitude and turned to leave.

  I watched him through the glass until he was safely out of earshot and then turned my attention back towards my father. “Dad, why is there a news team here?”

  He sighed and slunk down back into his chair with a look of pride. “You saved all those people, sweetheart — that kind of bravery doesn’t go unnoticed. They're calling you a hero, I've never seen anything quite like it. After the theater was evacuated, the fire chief went in to inspect the other ropes and found three others rotted beyond belief. So far the paper trail has shown the school failed their last four inspections. If your principal hasn’t already lost his job then it’s only a matter of time. Most of the parents are pretty furious. Anyways, the media is going crazy over it — you were even on the eleven o'clock news! Since then, my phone has been ringing off the hook. I didn’t want to tell you right out of anesthesia, but—”

  “Has Nadia called?” I wheezed, interrupting his train of thought.

  Dad paused in the middle of his rambling and looked at me confused. “Wha-Nadia? N-no, I can't say that she has. I haven’t spoken to her, if that’s what you’re asking.”

  “Would you mind calling her?” I pleaded restlessly. “Don't worry, it can wait until morning, but she's family now and I think that she should know.”

  He brushed the hair off my face and kissed me on the forehead. “Okay, hon, we'll call her as soon as we get you home.”

  The nurse came in with practiced ease, checking my IV placement and vitals on the monitor. “Good evening, Miss Hendricks. Welcome back to the world of the living! The doctor said you're in a bit of pain, so I'm going to up your medication a bit. Can you state your name for me?”

  “Wynnona Hendricks.”

  “And your birthdate?”

  “October twelfth, nineteen ninety-seven.”

  “Perfect!” She gracefully brushed past my father and walked over to the IV drip system and adjusted the numbers on the screen to increase the flow. The drips started coming down faster in the line and my eyes soon grew heavy. “It’s going to make you sleepy, but that's understandable. Try to get some rest and don't hesitate to use your call button if you need anything. I’ll be right outside at the nurse’s station.”

  As she exited the room, my father thanked her and turned his attention back to me. “She’s right, hon. Try to get some sleep and we'll deal with the paparazzi in the morning.”

  I nodded weakly and closed my eyes in blissful relaxation as the painkillers took effect, bringing a delicious numbness to my sore and broken body.

  ~ * ~

  “Please, you don’t understand — I need to see her, she’s my friend!” I heard Lacey's voice echoing down the hall, trying to argue her way into the ward. “I was at the theater when it happened and just want to know that she’s all right!”

  There was a gruff mumbling of a response and I nudged my father with my elbow. “Dad, will you go tell them to let her though? I wanna see Lacey. She’s got to be worried sick.”

  Elyse and Nate both roused at the sound of Lacey shouting and then turned towards me bleary eyed. “Wynn, you're okay!”

  Nate had been sleeping in one of the armchairs, his blanket thrown up across his shoulders. His hair was all askew from tossing and turning in the night, and a red splotch marked his cheek from where his face had rested against the coarse fabric. Dad grumbled slightly and used both hands to pull himself out of his chair. “I'm going to get some coffee,” he announced.

  “Don't forget about Lacey…” he waved me off, acknowledging my plea as he disappeared past the doorway.

  Elyse rolled off the temporary cot and came to sit on the bed beside me. “Oh Wynn, I’m so glad you’re okay! Kevin said it was awful — he's never seen rope burn that bad before.”

  I chuckled in embarrassment and looked at my bandaged hands. “Well, there's a first time for everything.”

  “Oh, honey…”

  At that moment, Lacey came breezing through the doorway with a gorgeous arrangement of blue Forget-Me-Not's in her hand. She had dark under-eye circles from lack of sleep and looked positively dreadful, but I was still grateful to see her. “Thank goodness you're awake! You nearly scared me to death yesterday!”

  I laughed at her mild scolding and the weak vibrations in my chest made my shoulder hurt again.

  “Who is this?” Elyse asked politely. “I don't believe we've met.”

  Gesturing between the two of them, I began the introductions, “Lacey, this is my sister, Elyse. Elyse, this is my new friend Lacey, she is the stage manager of the show.”

  “Was,” she corrected with emphasis. “Since the show has obviously been cancelled. Hi, Nate!”

  He gave her a one handed wave and disappeared into the bathroom with a bag of toiletries.

  “Oh, gawd!” I groaned with anguish, burying my face in the gauze of my hand. “I'm so sorry, Lacey. I know it was your baby.”

  She sat down on the bed opposite of Elyse and said, “What on Earth are you apologizing for? I'm just glad everyone’s okay — who knows what would have happened if you hadn't been there. The drama department wanted you to have these,” she said, setting the flowers on a table. “I blew off first period so I could bring them to you.”

  “They’re beautiful, Lacey, thank you. Did you pick them out yourself?”

  She nodded with a grin. “Well, I know you’re fond of the color blue, so I thought it was appropriate.”

  My head whipped around towards her and I felt my cheeks go flush. “How do you know that?”

  Lacey smiled at me knowingly and winked. “I just do — you smile every time you see it.” I was astounded at her attention to detail and observing nature. She sat for a minute while I looked at the beautiful arrangement, it certainly did make the sterile room look much better.

  “The other thing I wanted to talk to you about was … whether you’d be interested sharing a dorm with me this fall. We could request housing arrangements together! I thought it would be kinda fun, since we’re both gonna be at the same university. What do you think?”

  “That sound’s great,” I agreed enthusiastically. “Why do you look so uncertain?”

  She shrugged, her aura compressing slightly. “Well, I wasn’t sure if you’d still want to now that the show is over. I like hanging out with you and I don't want us to drift apart just because we’re not working together anymore.”

  “Aw, Lacey! Of course we’re going to still be friends. We can put in the request as soon as I get out of here.”

  She winked at me. “Awesome! I've actually got to get back to school, can I call you later? We've got to finish making our plans for prom. Phillip and I decided we’re adopting you — so I don't want to hear any arguments!” she stopped me before I was able to protest. “Get better soon and call me when you get home!”

  Lacey flitted out the doorway and disappeared down the hall. Elyse turned to me with a hidden smile as we watched her leave. “I like her.”


  I snorted with amusement, “Figures.”

  We heard the toilet flush and Nate came out of the bathroom wearing a different set of clothes and his hair brushed. “Is she gone?”

  “Yeah, it’s safe.”

  His expression fell slightly, but it didn't last long because Dad was back with coffee and doughnuts from the cafeteria. “I hope you guys are hungry because I brought breakfast.”

  All three of us leaned forward and sniffed the air appreciatively. Nate grabbed a doughnut from its container before Dad even had the chance to sit down. Elyse tapped her foot disapprovingly and gave him a nasty look. “Couldn't you at least have offered one to Wynn first?”

  I laughed as Dad offered me the sugary treat and I took it gingerly between the tips of my fingers. “It’s okay, Elyse. Honestly, I just want to get out of here.”

  The doctor came in a few minutes later with a clipboard in his hand. His silver hair was parted neatly on the side over a pair of rimless spectacles. “All right, we've got your lab work back and everything looks good. If you're feeling up to traveling, I can get the paperwork ready to have you discharged.”

  “Yes! No offense, but I hate hospitals. I'd just rather heal at home.”

  The elderly man just smiled. “No offense taken. One of the nurses will come and show you how to change the bandages and the signs of infection to look out for. Everything you’ll need to know before being on your own. Mr. Hendricks, if you'll come with me, I need you to sign a couple things.”

  Dad kissed me on the forehead and followed him out of the room while Nate started gathering my things. Elyse helped me off the bed and asked, “Do you need any help getting dressed? It might be hard without the use of your shoulder.”

  I nodded, infinitely grateful I had a sister at this moment. “Yeah, that would probably be good. I’m … ugh … having some trouble putting weight on my leg as well.” I hit the call button for the nurse to clamp off my IV. “Nate, could you hand her my toiletry bag?”

  He nodded and gave her the drawstring pouch while I tried to sit up. “I didn’t know what you’d want to wear, so I just packed you one of your baggiest t-shirts and some sweatpants. Is that okay?”