Page 78 of Trucker
Was it my fault she was tired that she couldn’t stay awake?
Had she been drinking?
Did she swerve to avoid another driver—a moose?
I was getting a headache—so manyfuckingquestions.
When we arrived at the scene a few of them alighted from the truck and went to set up markers to warn other vehicles we were there. Andi began reeling off the hose while Lennox and I set to work looking over the area.
Seeing the car, the firefighter in me knew precisely what needed to happen.
Her lover wanted to panic and go running to the vehicle.
Making sure the area was stable we set Lennox up to repel down. I held my breath, being the belayer for Lennox as he inspected the car and Taji inside.
“I don’t think she’s breathing.” He reported through the radio. “I don’t smell any gas which means the tank hasn’t been compromised but keep the hose handy. Also, we need the jaws.”
We rigged up another of the cadets and had him go down with what was needed.
It took some heavy work before they managed to get Taji from the mangled car, onto a stretcher and prepped for moving.
That took another little while, as I silently freaked out.
She was now wearing a neck brace but when I checked, she had a pulse.
“Get her to the hospital.” One of the other cadets told us. “We’ll stay behind and secure the site for when the other engine gets here.”
“We got your back, boss.” Lennox promised. “Come on.”
They didn’t have to tell me twice.
Quickly, we had her in the truck and was speeding toward the hospital outside Albright, sirens blaring.
Andi screamed at vehicles who took their time getting out of the way.
“It’s okay, Taj.” I kissed her forehead. “I got you. Don’t worry about anything, okay? I got you. Just hang in there.”
Andi called ahead and when we arrived, two doctors and a few nurses were already outside with a stretcher, waiting.
Lennox rambled off all her injuries to the doctors as we rushed with them into the building. Though I wanted to stay with her, I knew I couldn’t go in and as her lover, I was infuriated.
Andi left with the engine to bring it back to the firehouse. It was much too large to remain on the property as it would be blocking the emergency bay.
I stayed behind with Lennox.
He patted my shoulder. I guess it was his attempt at comforting me.
“How does that even happen?” I muttered.
“Now may not be the time to tell you this, but I think someone ran her off the road.” Lennox told me.
“On purpose?” I glanced at him.
The stern look on Lennox’s face told me he was serious.
“You didn’t see that car.” Lennox sighed. “The side of it was rubbed, like whoever did it, tried more than once. The back of the vehicle had damages as if they’d rammed her.”
“It could be from the roll.”
