Page 51 of Mountain Void

“Copy,” Beau’s voice came back. “Tristan and I are inbound. We’ll come back for Alex and Hugo later.”

Beside him, Gerard’s breathing hitched. Was it shallower than just moments ago?

Ry was already pulling medication from his kit.

“Stay with me, Gerard,” he said, voice calm, controlled. “You’re doing great.” He lowered his voice. “Make sure the hospital knows we’re on our way. Possible systemic reaction. We need them ready for us.”

Lorenz relayed the message.

The wind surged again, louder now.

And then, beyond the wind, Lorenz heard it. Faint, at first, but growing louder—the unmistakable thud-thud of rotor blades.

“Tristan’s here,” he said.

Ry didn’t look up. He was focused on his patient, his movements efficient, controlled. He’d already cleared space around the man, shifting loose stones away to create as stable a working area as possible.

Gerard’s breathing was growing shallower—each inhale a visible effort.

“Gerard,” Ry said, his voice firm. “Stay with me. Keep breathing. That’s it.”

The man’s eyelids fluttered, swollen almost shut. Another low sound escaped him—not quite a word.

Lorenz scanned the terrain above them, calculating. The corridor was narrow where they stood. Not ideal. But moving Gerard wasn’t an option, not in his current condition.

The helicopter appeared a moment later, cresting the ridge from the north.

“I’ll get everything set up,” Lorenz said.

The helicopter edged closer, holding high, just above them. Lorenz knew—because they’d done this countless times—that Tristan could hold that position for as long as necessary.

Lorenz pulled his sunglasses down to protect his eyes from the loose grit and dust flying around.

“Holding,” Tristan said, his voice loud and clear on Lorenz’s earpiece.

“Lowering the stretcher.” That was Beau’s voice.

The winch cable and stretcher dropped fast. Lorenz moved immediately, stepping into position to intercept it.

“Got it,” he said, catching the line and bracing his stance against the pull.

Together, Ry and Lorenz transferred the by-now unconscious hiker to the rescue litter.

“I’ll go up with him,” Ry said, clipping himself in. His grim expression told Lorenz all he needed to know about Gerard’s state.

“Ready?”

“Ready,” Ry confirmed. He raised his arm, giving the signal.

The cable tightened. The rescue litter swung slightly at the wind caught it, but Lorenz steadied it until it was past him.

Moments later, the ascent smoothed out . Lorenz watched as the two rose steadily towards the helicopter.

“Come on,” Lorenz said. He didn’t like the way the wind was behaving today.

“I’ve got them,” Beau finally confirmed.

Lorenz exhaled once, slow and controlled, becoming aware of the tension in his shoulders.