Snow Lodge
Chapter 29
The trip down the mountain seemed to take an excruciatingly long time, and Brian felt a horrible feeling settle in his stomach as he had to force himself to keep the speed down so as not to have an accident. Behind him he could hear AJ's breathing becoming louder, audible even over the noise of the engine.
As the sound became more laboured and less and less frequent, Brian knew that AJ was seriously running out of time. He almost cried in relief wen he recognised that he was finally coming to the bottom of the mountain, and he allowed his speed to increase, knowing that the most dangerous part was over.
After another few minutes, he could see the main highway in front of him, sanding out in stark contrast to the white snow all around it. The road was the main link between the two towns at the base of the mountain, and as such it had been cleared.
The second he reached the road, he turned his truck to the left, and floored the accelerator, breaking the speed limit but not caring, he was only a few minutes away from the town, and the large county hospital.
There was not another car on the road as Brian approached the town, which he could now see in the distance, the buildings standing out from the whiteness that surrounded it.
Brian glanced over his shoulder at AJ in the back, and spoke to him, his voice sounding more hopeful. "We're nearly there now Alex, just a few more minutes and we'll be at the hospital. You're gonna be okay. They'll take care of you. I promise."
Just as he promised, less than 3 minutes later, Brian pulled up outside the hospital, and jumped out of the truck and rushed inside.
Once in there he ran into the reception area, and grabbed hold of the nearest person he could find.
"My friend needs help, he's unconscious and not breathing very well."
The young Doctor took one look at Brian's dishevelled and distressed state and knew that it was serious. He put a comforting hand on Brian's arm before speaking.
"Where is he?"
"Outside in my truck."
The doctor nodded and yelled for a stretcher as he gestured for Brian to take them to him.
Brian led them outside, and opened the trunk for them. A couple of nurses ran outside with a stretcher as the doctor climbed inside to take a look at AJ. AJ was deathly still, breathing spasmodically, and he was an un-natural shade of white, his lips tinged blue.
"How long has he been like this?"
"He's been unconscious for nearly 3 days, we were in my cabin up the mountain, and I couldn't get him out because of the storm. He slipped and fell and was knocked unconscious, but he woke up when I found him. I got him back into the cabin, and he was okay for a while, but then all of a sudden he just got worse."
The doctor was examining AJ whilst Brian spoke, and nodded. He frowned when he took in the injuries, and motioned for them to get AJ onto the stretcher. Once that was done they rushed him into the hospital. Brian made to go after him, but was stopped by the doctor's hand on his arm.
"I need to go with him." Brian cried as the doctor held him back.
"You can't stay with him just yet. First I need you to tell me everything you can about what happened, and any injuries you know of, and we will get him checked out okay?"
Brian nodded, deflated.
The doctor smiled kindly. "It's okay. He's safe now; we'll look after him. I promise."
Brian nodded again, slightly more comforted by his words.
"Now c'mon, let's get you in the warm now, I'll get one of the porters to move your car- okay?" The doctor jumped out of the back of the truck and shut the doors.
Brian nodded again; he didn't have the strength to do anything else. Now AJ was finally safe and being taken care of by professionals, the adrenaline that had been keeping Brian going had left him, and he was suddenly very tired. The events of the past few days were finally catching up to him.
The doctor saw Brian's knees buckle and wrapped his arms around him to keep him from falling to the ground.
"Whoa there, I guess we'd better get you checked out as well. You must be exhausted."
Brian said nothing, but allowed himself to be lead inside the hospital, safe at last.
