“Useless,” I mutter before pulling out the first aid materials and arranging them in front of me. “Triage only, Hennessey.” I took first aid and CPR this summer to prep for the dude ranch gig, but I never had reason to use it. Now is as good a time as any, I suppose. I take a deep breath and gently prod along the back of Micah’s head, careful not to apply pressure in case there’s a break. My stomach heaves at how much blood is warm against my fingers. How is he even still bleeding? Nothing feels shattered, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a fracture. I take gauze and gently press it to his skull before wrapping it firmly with some medical-grade tape. When I realize it’s still seeping, I do it again.

I let out a shaky breath when, after a few of the scariest moments of my entire life, it starts to slow.

I unwrap hand warmers and triage blankets to pack around his frame, creating as much warmth as I can. Duke is building up the fire, and I move around to Micah’s front, huddling close and wrapping my arms around his shoulders as gently as possible. Cash curls up behind him in the curve of his legs, and I choke on tears thinking how Micah once saved Cash the exact same way.

“Please, Jesus,” I whisper. “Please don’t take him from us.” Hot tears slip from my eyes, and I just keep whispering my prayer under my breath and straight up to heaven. “Please, Jesus, please. Please, please, please.” I’m in love with this boy, and I want to tell him to his face. I need to tell him. Please, Jesus, please let him hear it.

26

Micah

It begins with slow breaths and hissing curses

Roiling stomach and whispered groans

Until

Bright lights screaming

Throbbing

Aching

Sobbing

Gasping

Praying

Stars and fire behind my eyes

Blink and wink and glitter and fade

Until

I am awake

and she’s there

27

Micah

When I really wake up, it’s to the sound of low voices. Strained ones. It takes me longer than I like to remember where I am. The good news is I’ve made it out of the cave alive. The bad news is my head feels like it’s been cracked open, and I suspect that’s because it has been.

I try to sit up to see where the voices are coming from, but the stabbing shards of pain are so intense, I give up easily.

“He’s awake! Micah, baby. We’re here.” I wince. Mom.

“Along with about five camera crews and some reporter from—”

“Shh,” my mother cuts off my sister. “Give him time to wake up.”

“Meg?” I ask, not bothering to lift my head this time.

“With Duke in the waiting area.”

“Cash?”