When the sun brought relief from the cold, the beast trotted away. Immobilized, Brigit struggled to remember but fog clouded her memory. Though she floated in and out of consciousness the pain remained constant. As the giant orange fireball inched toward the red horizon, desolation filled her heart. How could her life end like this? Was this how karma worked in the end?
Every minute felt like a grueling eternity. Nonstop shivering racked her weakened, stiff body. Muffled traffic grew sparse, as did the grumblings in the sky. With nightfall, and the plummeting temperature, she feared she’d die from hypothermia.Please, not like this.
Suddenly, car doors slammed shut. “Brigit!” Colton’s piercing scream shattered the silence.
“Here.” She wanted to shout, but all she mustered was a hoarse whisper.
Maniacal barking got louder. Fear gripped her throat. She tried screaming, but couldn’t. Would the animal attack?
“I’ve got her!” Taylor shouted. Breathing hard, she dropped to her knees. “Hey, buddy, don’t bite me.” Taylor extended her hand toward the panting animal. It sniffed her, then lay down nearby.
Taylor needed to be warned. “Wolf,” Brigit whispered.
“Brigit, you’re going to be okay.” Taylor tugged off her coat and laid it gently over Brigit. “I’m going to untie you. Are you in pain?”
“Uh-huh.” Brigit stammered between chattering.
Colton and Ryan knelt next to her. Tears pricked her eyes. While Taylor and Ryan untied her, Colton gently pulled her matted hair from her cheek.Relief.“Thirsty,” she rasped.
“I’ve got water.” Ryan dashed away.
Colton removed his coat and laid it over Taylor’s, then reached beneath the layers to warm her hands. Worry lines etched his face, the knot between his brows prominent.
“We’ve got to get her to the hospital.” A tear streaked Taylor’s cheek.
“My house.” Brigit inhaled, sending jolting pain through her torso.
“No. You need emergency medical attention.” Colton pulled out his phone.
Returning with the water, Ryan crouched down. As Colton cradled her head, he poured a few sips of water into her mouth. The chilled liquid soothed her scratchy throat.
“Brigit.” Colton caressed her cheek. “You need to go to the hospital.”
“I’m scared,” she whispered. She hadn’t set foot in a hospital since the death of her parents. “They died in one.”
“I won’t leave you.”
“Promise?” she whispered.
“I promise.” Colton stepped away and made the nine-one-one call.
“How did you get here?” Ryan asked.
“Where am I?” Brigit asked. She was freezing, exhausted and she hurt everywhere.
“You’re at Daingerfield Island, in Alexandria,” Ryan said. “Near a marina, across the river from Reagan National Airport.”
Brigit struggled to stay awake. “I…I don’t know.”
Colton knelt and stared into her eyes. “The ambulance is on its way.” Again, he reached under the coats and held her hands. His large hands did more than warm her frozen ones. She felt safe. Relief washed over her and she choked back a sob. Excruciating pain rocketed through her.
“Wolf?” Brigit asked.
“It looks like a mangy German Shepherd,” Taylor said.
“It kept me alive,” Brigit whispered. “Please bring it.”
The ambulance arrived and paramedics rushed to Brigit’s side. After checking her vitals, they placed a brace around her neck. On the count of three they lifted her onto the stretcher. The shooting pain in her torso stole her breath and she gritted her teeth. Just before the ambulance doors closed, Colton climbed in and Brigit tried to relax. He’d kept his promise. The EMT started her on an IV drip and covered her with a blanket.