Page 10 of The Deadly Shallows

“Yes, sir.” Cal nodded and moved for Molly.

Brooke yearned to stay by Noah’s side or to be with her friend. She’d taken an oath to heal all those in need . . . but to go with one of the shooters, a man who’d taken lives . . .

She exhaled. It was her job.

“Medevac Three, Kesler,” Oscar repeated.

“Yes, sir.” Brooke nodded. Tears burned as she stared into Noah’s eyes. Please let him be okay, Father. “I’ll see you at the hospital.”

“I’ll be fine,” he said, but concern still warred inside.

Relief loosened Noah’s tight chest. Brooke was safe and uninjured.

Thank you, Father. I pray healing for all the injured and comfort for all those who lost loved ones today.

EMTs flooded in with stretchers, defibrillators, and crisis-response gear as Cal rushed Molly’s stretcher out the double-glass doors.

Noah glanced around at the sorrow, the echoes of sobs, the blood . . . and righteous anger filled him. Senseless. Senseless death and heartache.

Flight medics and EMTs worked fast and yet methodically to assess, treat what they could on-site, and transport all the critical and wounded to Wilmington General.

“Let’s get you on the stretcher.” Leo knelt beside him and flagged another EMT over to aid in lifting Noah onto it.

“I can help,” Caleb said as he and Austin moved to Noah’s side.

“Thanks,” Noah said, “but I’ve got this.” He pushed up on his arms, readying himself to climb onto the stretcher.

“Whoa!” Leo halted him with a hand on his arm. “Don’t move your leg. We don’t know what level of damage has occurred.”

Not liking it one bit, he reluctantly agreed.

“On three,” Leo said. “Try to keep his leg as stationary as possible.” Leo lifted Noah from behind, underneath his shoulders, while Caleb lifted him by his calves.

Noah situated himself on the stretcher, his leg shaking. He looked up at Austin. “Thank you for helping Molly.”

“Of course,” Austin said. She started to cross her arms, then winced hard, her lips thinning into a tight grimace.

“Are you injured?” he asked.

“It’s nothing.” She shrugged, then winced again, favoring her left arm.

“I’m pretty sure she dislocated her shoulder,” Caleb said.

“Get her in line for an ambulance,” Leo said. “It’ll be quite a while, given . . .” He gazed at the hall and shook his head before fixing his eyes back on Austin. “X-rays will be needed to see the full extent of damage before treatment.”

Good thing Austin was a tough lady, because treatment for a dislocated shoulder consisted of popping it back in place. Most definitely not a pleasant experience. Neither was pain pulsing through his thigh.

Leo opened his supply bag and pulled out a few items, laying them carefully on the stretcher beside him.

“Your car’s at the station, right?” Noah asked Caleb.

“Yes.” Caleb nodded.

“Take Austin to the ER, then.”

“Good idea,” Leo said. “You’ll get there a lot faster.” He gestured over his shoulder, and they all looked in that direction.

Lines of wounded and medics waited for an available ambulance or helicopter.