Ian lay on the floor of thetrain, his body twisted and half buried under the caved-in roof of the car.
Ruel crawled forward and begantearing desperately at the debris covering him.
The car slipped farther intothe river; muddy yellow water gushed into the car.
He lifted the divan off Ian.
"No, leave me… "
Ruel's gaze flew to Ian'sface, and relief rippled through him. His brother's eyes were open, his facecontorted with pain, but he was alive.
"The hell I will."Ruel edged the divan to one side.
The car shifted another inch,and water poured over the top of Ruel's boots.
"It's too late," Iangasped. "Save yourself."
"Shut up." Ruelhands quickly went over Ian's arms and legs. "Nothing seems to be broken.Can you move?"
Ian stirred, then fell backwith a low cry.
"No? Then I'll have todrag you." Ruel snatched the ivory-colored cords from the drapes lying onthe floor. "I'm going to make a harness. Once I'm in the water, I may notbe able to hold on to you." His hands quickly fashioned the harness as hespoke. He slipped on the makeshift harness and then knotted the other end ofthe cord under Ian's armpits. "Ready? Here we go." He grabbed Ianbeneath the armpits and pulled.
Ian screamed.
The cry flayed Ruel."God, I'm sorry," he muttered as he pulled Ian another foot."But the car can't stay on these rocks much longer. Once it tumbles intothe water, we'll be swept away."
"Not your fault... coward…"
"You're not acoward." Ruel dragged him another foot. "Only two yards more."
"Stop." Ian groaned."Can't stand it."
"All right." Ruelstopped pulling and dropped to his knees beside Ian, glaring at him. "Thenwe'll both stay here and let the goddamn river kill us. Is that what you want?Because I'm not leaving you."
"Ruel, please. Don't… "Ian wearily closed his eyes. "All right, pull... "
The next few minutes wereexcruciating agony for Ian and backbreaking effort for Ruel.
They finally reached the opening,and Ruel stopped to catch his breath. Ian was barely on the verge ofconsciousness, and how in hell was he to get him out of the car and onto therocks with the least damage?
The decision was made for himas the car slid forward off the rocks into the water.
The current whipped them awayfrom the railway car as if they were bits of kindling. The next moment Ruel wasdashed against the rocks. He instinctively reached out, grabbing for a boulder.
Pain.
Blackness.
He had to hold on. Ian... wherewas Ian? He felt a tug at the harness and turned to see Ian floating a few feetaway. He hoisted himself up on the rocks, then turned and started pulling handover hand on the cord binding him to his brother. The current was fighting him,taking Ian, jerking Ruel back toward the water.
It seemed an eternity beforeIan was close enough for Ruel to reach out and drag him up on the rocks.
Ian lay still, no longerconscious. Perhaps not even alive.
"Don't die, damn you. Youcan't die." Ruel pressed his ear to Ian's breast. Nothing. He shifted hishead higher and detected a faint heartbeat. Alive, thank God, but for how long?He adjusted the cords of the harness over his shoulders and began to crawl overthe rocks, dragging Ian behind.
One yard. Two yards. Somethingwarm ran down his shoulder. Rain? No, blood from the cords cutting into hisshoulders, he realized dimly.
