Page 65 of Justice
Chapter Eighteen:War And Peace
Scarlet
I was already past being tired of offroading as we bumped along at a high rate of speed. Jostling Belle and I like dolls in bumper cars while we could hear the booming and the sound of gunfire in the distance. Over the comm, I had been listening to some of the chatter, then I looked upward.
A military helicopter was heading across the sky, just like Logan had reported. My grip tightened on the roll bar as dust flew behind us. I said a prayer for everyone we’d just left back there. My heart felt like lead as Justice was back there with them all.
Then the noise came as Tank must have hit his mark. The sound of it even made my ears hurt and we had to be at least a mile away. Turning in my seat, I again looked upward to see the helicopter coming apart. Metal flew everywhere as it spun crazily and smoked then headed to the ground. Please don’t let there be anyone there where it lands, I prayed some more. I also prayed that Deacon had been in it, but none of us could be that lucky.
“Justice’s been hit,” Liberty shouted over the comm.
I froze in my seat as I sucked in a breath and exclaimed, “What?” Looking over at Ranger, I demanded for him to take us back. Justice told me he was fine, but I knew better. I could feel it as I heard the tone of his voice, he was hurt.
Talon told us all to stay away, but if I had to knock Ranger out and take the wheel, I would. “Is he okay, Liberty?” I asked over the comm.
No answer.
“Justice?” I called.
“He passed out,” Liberty finally replied.
“Oh, my God!” I yelled.
“Calm down,” Liberty said. “He is still breathing. He just lost too much blood.”
I fought hyperventilating at that answer because it sure as hell didn’t make me feel any better.
“You can turn it around, Ranger,” Talon came over. “He’s gonna need your medic skills.”
“And head where?” Ranger asked.
“West of the house,” Logan came on. “It’s hard to tell with all the smoke but it looks like that’s where they are.”
I just wanted them to hurry.Please let him be okay? I can’t lose him when I just found him.
Ranger turned his head to glance at me as he drove. “Hang on, it’s gonna get bumpy.”
“Gonnaget bumpy?” Belle asked sarcastically from the backseat. “Then what the hell was it before?”
I agreed because I didn't know how it could get even bumpier. Then I discovered the answer when the jeep turned around and I almost slid out. My lower body was now outside the jeep. I hung on as I could actually feel the brush alongside the jeep hitting my calves.
“Whoa, hang on there, Scarlet!” Ranger said as he took a wide eyed glance at me while he maneuvered the jeep.
I fought gravity and wind as I swung my jostling self back over to the seat. I managed to keep my painful knuckle grip on the roll bar, while pulling myself over a bit more. My stomach lurched and my body trembled. I wasn’t sure if it was from the wild ride out in the air or fear for Justice.
“Are you okay, Scarlet?” Belle yelled from the backseat so I could hear her.
I nodded as my jaw rattled from the lurches and bumps as I gave no reply because talking while riding like this might just crack my teeth. The jarring, dust filled ride seemed to take forever as I kept leaning forward to see through the dust and then I spotted something. It looked like someone sitting on the ground. “There!” I pointed.
Ranger slowed down and the jaw rattling ride finally came to an end when he stopped the jeep with a pitching lurch.
“I think I’m gonna throw up,” Belle said in distress.
I did too, but instead, I was out and running before the wheels even settled. Stumbling through the brush and dust, I righted myself then kept on going. Sliding onto my knees beside Justice, I gazed down at him. He looked pale and his eyes were closed. I could barely catch my breath as I grabbed his hand but that’s when I saw all the blood on his shirt and jeans. I don’t think I had ever felt this scared in my whole life.
“He’s okay, Scarlet,” Liberty said.
“He doesn’t look okay!” I yelled as I admit I was a wreck now.
