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“How long ago did it happen?” Gene asked Mona.
Mona stammered. “I don’t know.”
“We found them right before we contacted you, Doctor,” the other ranger said. “We think it happened just around that time.”
“Is that about right, Mona?” Gene asked for confirmation. “I need to know more or less how long since your brother got bitten.”
The girl nodded shakily. “Is he gonna be okay?”
“A copperhead bite can be scary, but it’s rarely fatal,” Gene explained calmly as he examined the bite. “But I bet it hurts like hell, right, Beau?”
The boy nodded weakly.
“Hang in there, buddy. The ambulance is almost here. You can hear them, right?” Gene smiled as he took his stethoscope out of his pack. “The bite looks clean with redness with some swelling. Let me hear your breathing. Heart rate is elevated, but that’s understandable. Any tingling sensation or numbness anywhere, Beau?”
“Just around my calf,” the boy answered.
“The ambulance should be here in two minutes, Doctor,” Ranger Yang said. “Can we move him?”
“Do you think you can stand?” Gene helped him up after packing back his gear and gestured to the ranger to hold Beau’s other side. “Here we go.”
Amanda walked with Mona, following the rest of the group. The girl looked as if she’d gone through hell and back. Her pants and long-sleeved T-shirt were tattered, her hair held back in a ponytail, but tendrils had escaped. Amanda couldn’t imagine what she’d gone through. She had so many questions. But right now, Mona didn’t need an interrogation.
“Hey, Mona,” Amanda touched the girl’s arm lightly, worried she’d spook her. “Your brother is in good hands.” Mona turned a wary gaze at Amanda, but nodded. “You both are going to be okay,” Amanda assured.
twenty-two
Amanda sat next to Mona in a private waiting room in the hospital where Beau was being treated. Earlier, a nurse had given Mona a cursory examination and found her fairly uninjured and well, while maybe in need of a good shower, hydration, and a full meal.
That surprised Amanda. With all the possible reasons a fifteen-year-old and twelve-year-old would hide in the woods churning in her head the past few days, she’d expected some kind of evidence of injuries or past abuse.
Mona looked somewhat better after the nurse allowed her to use the bathroom and given her a set of scrubs to change into at Amanda’s urging. A bag of Mona’s dirty clothes sat on the floor by her trembling body. The girl was a wreck.
“Mona, try to eat something,” Amanda urged, handing the girl the turkey sandwich she bought from the cafeteria. “You’ll feel better after.”
Mona shook her head. “I’m not hungry.”
Amanda studied the girl and decided not to push her.
“You heard Dr. Rowland said your brother’s gonna be okay, right? I’m sure you can see him soon.”
The girl wouldn’t look at Amanda. She kept watch on the door of the small room.
“Mona, can you tell me why you and Beau were out in the woods all alone?” Amanda asked.
She probably should wait for Patrick to ask the questions, but the police detective hadn’t answered their phone calls since they’d found the kids. Since the kids were unaccompanied by parents or guardians, the hospital had contacted children’s services.
When Mona didn’t answer, Amanda tried again.
“Mona, I’ve been looking for you ever since I almost hit you with my car last Sunday. Do you remember that night?”
Mona finally looked at Amanda. Her eyes widened with fear as she registered the healing cut on Amanda’s forehead.
“I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean…”
“No, don’t worry.” Amanda patted Mona’s arm gently. “I’m fine. But I’ve been worried about you. You looked so scared. You’re still scared, aren’t you?”
Mona’s head hung as she stared down at her tensed hands. Amanda covered those hands with her own.
