The noise is overwhelming. Imani and Mia make themselves understood by pointing at Cindi, lying between the inflatable seats, and holding up one finger. First, take her first! The crewman leaning out of the helicopter gives a thumbs-up. A rescue cradle is slowly lowered. Imani and I grab the ends, positioning it next to the raft while Deke gently lifts Cindi from between the seats.

She’s awake, although unable to speak above the roar of the blades. Deke places her in the cradle, and we fasten the safety straps. After we back away, the cradle rises, slowly turning a graceful pirouette as they pull it into the helicopter. Once she’s inside, the guy in the helmet leans out and somehow makes us understand that we should stay where we are and they’ll return for us. Cindi Beacon, the Tiny Dancer who scored that amazing goal, will soon be on her way to the closest trauma center.

That’s what Mia meant by “We did it.” We saved her by working together, and by not giving up. We can be proud of that for the rest of our lives. Maybe that will balance out the shameful events that also happened.

The big orange helicopter speeds away, and as we wait for it to return, Mia wipes the tears from her eyes and reaches out. “Take hands! You too, Deke. The Dream Team has something to discuss. It’s about Tony.”

A discussion takes place, about what to tell his family. We make a pledge to Tony, and a vow to ourselves. Four brave friends holding hands in the wilderness, having survived for seven long days.

I couldn’t be more proud of them, and of myself.

47. It’s So Good to Be Alive

I’d tell you about our own rescue, how we all went up in the same cage, but it turns out helicopters and I don’t get along. I puked and I puked, three bags full. Well, not quite, but that’s how it felt, heaving on an empty stomach. Too busy being sick to pay much attention to the flight, or what we could see out the open door. Just the sight of an open door and What if we fall out? was enough to turn me into a barf-o’-matic machine.

I do know they flew us to the same hospital in Missoula where Cindi Beacon was being treated. That we landed on a helipad and were guided inside. That the rescue crew turned us over to a medical crew before we could properly thank them.

Within a few minutes, I feel way better.

“Daniel Redmayne?” The super-nice lady escorting me checks off my name. “The docs will need to give you a thorough checkup, make sure you’re good to go, but first there’s somebody who wants to see you. A lot of somebodies.”