18 From Breckenridge: Love On The Run (18 From Breckenrdige)
Page 35
The door lifted again.
“Miss, can you walk?” said a nurse with a stethoscope around her neck.
“Yes,” answered Troian, trying to adjust her tired eyes.
“Are the children hurt?” she said.
“Not that I’m aware of,” said Troian, making her way out of the side chopper door.
A nurse assisted with the children. They followed Ledger, who sat in a wheelchair, into the garage. Inside, Troian scanned the dimly lit room. It was an ordinary garage with a few tools hanging on the wall. Troian heard the chopper ascend and pull away. The thumping sound of the rotors faded into the distance.
The garage door closed a final time.
“Stand still where you are, please,” said the nurse.
Troian shuddered as four walls rose up around them. The wall in front of her had a computer screen on it. The nurse punched in some numbers, and a portion of the garage floor descended below the earth’s surface.
“Where are we?” said Troian.
“You’re safe at Atticus now,” said the nurse.
The platform continued downward for several long seconds. Troian wasn’t sure how deep underground they’d actually gone. When the lift stopped, the door opened into a concrete facility. Four glass rooms lined the wall on the right, four more on the left. A young lady stocked medical carts sitting in the hallway. Another sat at the nurse’s station in the middle of the room. The area resembled a small hospital, minus the waiting room.
“Come with me, please,” said the nurse.
Troian followed, carrying Ezra in one arm, and holding Liam’s hand in the other. She tried peeking through the first set of curtains behind a glass enclosure. Is that an operating room? I can’t tell. Is that Bastian?
Whatever room it was, people frantically worked around the body. Another nurse exited the glass enclosure and lit down the hallway with several vials of blood. Troian listened to the words escaping the open door, catching a glimpse of Bastian’s chestnut hair.
“Charge the paddles to 120, we’re losing him. He’s in arrest. CLEAR,” said the doctor, shocking Bastian’s chest.
The line on the monitor remained flat.
“One more time, charge 160, CLEAR,” he said, shocking him again. The team stared at the monitor. A beep finally came, and peaks appeared on the graph. “Sinus rhythm, good, hang in there kid. Get the ice bath ready, NOW, we’ve gotta cool him down. Pressures 70/40, okay, okay 80/50, give me a little more . . . 90/60. Let’s move him now,” ordered the doctor in charge.
The stressed doctor rubbed his forehead.
“Is he giving up? What’s he doing? Why isn’t he still working on him?” Troian let go of Liam’s hand and placed her hand on the glass. “Bastian! Is he gonna be okay?” she cried out.
Liam clung to her dirty shirt.
“All I can say is there are very skilled people in there with him right now. The best we’ve got. I will come to tell you when I get any updates—good or bad—I promise,” said the nurse. My name is Ally. You all have been through quite an ordeal out there. The most important thing you can do right now is pray, eat, and rest.”
Character Tidbits
MAIN CHARACTERS
Bastian Ballentine – 17-year-old junior, heartthrob of Summit High, motocross and sports hero. Brown eyes, pale, creamy skin, full lips, chestnut-colored hair, dark ‘n wavy. Muscular, athletic build, full of confidence, bold, highly intelligent, has a temper when pushed. Favorite songs, “Cry Little Sister,” by Nicky Twist, “Cumbersome,” by Seven Mary Three, and “Crash Into Me,” by Dave Matthews Band.
Rani Davenport – Pronounced (Ronnie). 16-year-old sophomore, long, red hair, blue eyes, head cheerleader and ice-skating princess at Summit High. Her beauty gets overshadowed by her rudeness at times. Self-indulgent, doesn’t care for babies, has handicapped, younger brother named Ollie. Loves Bastian. Favorite songs, “Love Is Kinda Crazy With A Spooky Little Girl Like You,” by Classics IV, “Money Can’t Buy It,” by Annie Lennox, and “Glamorous,” by Fergie.
Troian Sinclair – Pronounced (Troe-ee-un). 16-year-old sophomore, honor roll student, above-average IQ, thin, physically fit, long, brown hair, light green eyes, porcelain skin, calm natured, well-spoken, likes to read ‘n write. Harbors a major crush on Bastian. Has an older brother Tony Sinclair in the military. Favorite songs, “Father Figure,” by George Michael, “Rain,” by Madonna, and “Good For You,” by Selena Gomez.
Ledger Thomas – 17-year-old junior, decent grades, cool attitude, loner type in school. Comes from a rough family. Plays football and basketball with Bastian, well-built, confident, cocky, smooth with girls. Brave, muscular, sandy brown hair, shoulder-length, wavy, wears a man bun at times, tan skin, deep voice. Favorite songs, “Cover Me,” by Candlebox, “Angel Eyes,” by The Jeff Healey Band, and “House Of Pain,” by Faster Pussycat.
Caleb Cody – 17-year-old junior, brown eyes, smooth tan skin, short, chestnut-colored hair, well-built, runs cross-country, plays football. Killer protective instincts, an excellent shot, fierce, funny at times, driven crazy by Bryce Ballentine, whom he loves, but hasn’t exactly told her. Favorite songs, “Wicked Game,” by Chris Isaak, and “Lil’ King Kong,” by Simple Kid.
Bryce Ballentine – 16-year-old sophomore, Bastian’s younger sister, runs cross-country, likes to ski. Feisty, athletic, long, dark brown hair, blue eyes, soft complexion. Has twin brother Brock. Favorite songs, “I’m On Fire,” by Bruce Springsteen, “Fade Into You,” by Mazzy Star, and “Live To Tell,” by Madonna.
Major General Girard Givens – 48-year-old 2-star Army Major General, never fails to complete a mission. Hardcore, not afraid to kill anyone or anything that gets in his way. Has a wife and 2-year-old son in Florence, South Carolina. Favorite song, “The Rooster,” by Alice in Chains.
OTHER CHARACTERS
Mr. McCrady – 61-year-old Biology teacher, leader of the Science Club. No kids of his own, no family, loves the kids he’s with from school, good-hearted. Favorite songs, “Another Day In Paradise,” by Phil Collins, and “Mercy Street,” by Peter Gabriel.
General Atticus Scott – 72-year-old 4-star General, retired, started Atticus compound at age 35, has non-identical twin sons, Declan and Drew. Also, Bastian’s Great Uncle. Favorite songs, “The Devil Went Down To Georgia,” by The Charlie Daniels Band, and “The Ride,” by David Allan Coe.
Dr. Harold Ballentine – 48-year-old Virologist, Bastian’s dad, works at CDC in Atlanta.
Amir Bergen – Pronounced (Uh-meer). 16-year-old sophomore, computer wizard, dark hair, prominent nose, tall, thin, calm, of Jewish descent, good with people. Not a fighter, wears glasses, trustworthy, not suave with girls, takes an interest in Youlie. Favorite song, “Claire De Lune,” by Claude Debussy, performed by Paul Barton.
Youlie Chen – Pronounced (U-lee). 15-year-old freshman, skilled with computers, Chinese/American, thin, small-framed, black hair, shoulder-length, likes Amir Bergen. Favorite song, “Don’t Dream It’s Over,” by Crowded House.
Timmy Mitchell – 16-year-old sophomore, blond hair, straight and layered, shoulder-length, tall, thin. Plays on the basketball team with Bastian in school. Easy going, cool. Favorite songs, “I Won’t Back Down,” and “Here Comes My Girl,” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
Mazel Hadley – 15-year-old freshman, loves Timmy Mitchell, though they’re not officially a couple. Acorn colored hair that hangs just past her shoulders, hazel eyes. Favorite songs, “Like A Bird On A Wire,” by The Neville Brothers, and “Bette Davis Eyes,” by Kim Carnes.
Joaquin Wood – Pronounced (Wa-keen). 17-year-old junior, handsome, muscular, African/American, plays football with Bastian, likes science, level-headed, not really into guns or fighting. Favorite songs, “Man In The Mirror,” by Michael Jackson, and “In The City,” by Eagles.
Mateo Sanchez – 17-year-old junior, nice features, Mexican/American, good friends with Joaquin, strong, plays football, not into violence but always willing to help. Favorite songs, “Sul
tans Of Swing,” by Dire Straits, and “Shine,” by Collective Soul.
Lumen Kirby – Pronounced (Loo-men). 15-year-old freshman, African/American, mid-length, straight hair, light, green eyes, good with guns since father was a policeman. Had a few self-defense classes, and has a crush on Joaquin. Favorite songs, “Silent Lucidity,” by Queensryche, and “Walk On The Ocean,” by Toad the Wet Sprocket.
Ollie Davenport – 15-year-old freshman, medium build, wears glasses, mild Down Syndrome, gifted with patterns and numbers. Empathetic to others, gives his ornery sister, Rani, a hard time. Likes babies, kids, and animals. Doesn’t allow anyone to touch his comb. Favorite songs, “Spill The Wine,” by Ed Burdon and War, and “Ice Ice Baby,” by Vanilla Ice.
Tracker Locklear – 17-year-old junior, Native/American, long, silky, black hair, beautiful tan skin, excellent knife thrower, skilled survivalist. Favorite songs, “Hey Hey, My My,” by Neil Young, and “Shallow,” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
Sinew Locklear – 16-year-old sophomore, Native/American, long, silky, black hair, tan skin, looks up to big sister, Tracker. Also skilled with knives, adept hunter.
Trent Gresham - 18-year-old senior, farm boy, strong, blond hair, muscular, plays football with Bastian. Good friends with Tracker. Favorite songs, “Highwayman,” by Highwaymen, and “Blue On Black,” by Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
Ginger Halliday – 18-year-old runaway, shoulder-length, layered, copper brown hair, toned, fit body, cat green eyes, tough, knows way around guns. Abandoned by boyfriend in Manchester after running away from home. Favorite songs, “I’ve Been Down,” by Hank Williams Jr., and “Doll Parts,” by Hole.
Carter Lewis – 16-year-old sophomore, lanky, thin, plays saxophone in school band. Captured by Major General Girard and held in northern Montana facility with Brock Ballentine.
Brock Ballentine – 16-year-old, sophomore, Bryce’s fraternal twin brother, captured by Major General Girard and held in northern Montana facility with Carter Lewis. Smart and handsome like his big brother, Bastian. Favorite song, “I Still Believe,” by Tim Cappello.
Tony Sinclair – 28-year-old Combat Chopper Specialist, few can rival him in the air. Troian is his younger sister. Favorite songs, “Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door,” by Guns ‘N Roses, and “Space Lord,” by Monster Magnet.
Dodi Nash – Pronounced (Doe-dee). 24-year-old Ground Combat Specialist, joined the military at 18, loyal to Tony Sinclair. Best friends with Hank Barclay, no kids, never married. Favorite songs, “Do You Feel Like We Do,” by Peter Frampton, and “Turn The Page,” by Metallica.
Hank Barclay – 25-year-old sniper, joined the military at 18, fought overseas with Dodi. Loyal to Tony Sinclair, no kids, never married. Favorite songs, “Southern Cross,” by Crosby, Stills & Nash, “Sail,” by AWOLNATION, and “You Want It Darker,” by Leonard Cohen.
Thirsten Brooks – 44-year-old preacher from Nebraska. Favorite songs, “Do It Again,” by Elevation Worship, and “Glorious Day,” by Passion.
Declan Scott – 40-year-old Combat Chopper Pilot, Bastian’s second cousin. Older than non-identical twin brother, Drew, by four minutes.
Drew Scott – 40-year-old Combat Chopper Pilot, Bastian’s second cousin. Declan’s younger, non-identical twin brother.
Baby Ezra – 6-month-old orphaned infant.
Liam – Pronounced (Lee-um). 5-year-old little boy, dad’s deceased. Never knew his mother. Favorite song, “Mad World,” by Gary Jules.
Upcoming - September 2020 - Available on Amazon
Book two continues as Bastian, and the others adjust to life underground at the Atticus compound in northern Montana. Trouble rapidly brews and things may not be as they seem inside the safety of Atticus. The group’s false sense of security is soon shattered. Bastian finds himself crossing multiple forbidden boundaries to protect members. General Given forces him to make a harrowing decision that will haunt Bastian for the rest of his life. Bastian betrays his strongest convictions to exact the ultimate revenge.
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Author Bio
Golden, Colorado
J. P. Castle spent the last two decades writing and editing for others across various genres while running her horse farm. After retiring from breeding, training and racing quarter horses, she now writes fiction full time. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Operations and Project Management, attended nursing school, and is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
While she finds education invaluable, nothing piques her interest like churning out an entertaining tale with saucy, unpredictable characters. She presently lives and works in Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and canine best friend, Toby. In her spare time, she loves to travel, plant gardens, and curl up in front of the fireplace with a good book. According to those closest to her, she is frequently caught having full-blown conversations with Toby, who she claims talks back.
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