Page 187 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“We’ve got it.” Doug yelled pointing to the screen.

“Where?” Brandon and Cole both asked.

“Right…here.” Doug said pinpointing it exactly on the map. “That’s where we need to dig.”

“Get on it.” Cole said not that he needed to the diggers were already running across to the site. They couldn’t risk using mechanical ones in case the box she was in collapsed from the pressure or they dug too deep and accidentally injured her, so they had to do it by hand.

Cole stood pacing as they started shifting what looked like mountains and mountains of soil.

“We’ll get her. We’ve still got thirty minutes left.” Brandon said.

Cole shook his head. It didn’t feel like enough time. It felt like they were already too late.

“Get the medics here.” Brandon said. “As soon as we get her out I want forensics in.”

Cole shot him a look. He knew he was making the right call but his focus was on Maddie, on saving her, not on the god damn case.

It felt like they were taking so long to dig and he snarled grabbing a spade off one of them and jumping in.

“Cole.” Brandon said before doing the same and they started digging, faster and faster, heaving the soil out.

“She’s here.” Cole muttered as he dug like a man possessed.

“Hold up.” Someone said and they both stopped turning to see the man behind them staring at the mud.

“What is it?” Brandon said.

The man got down on his knees, sinking in the peat and slowly, carefully uncovered a hand.

“What…” Cole said before moving to kneel beside him.

“She tried to dig her way out.” Brandon said.

They started shifting the soil with their hands then, pulling it away revealing a dark, muddy cotton fabric, and dirt covered hair.

“Maddie.” Cole groaned as he moved more frantically. He pulled the fabric away and searched for a pulse but he couldn’t feel anything.

“Is she?” Brandon asked.

Cole shut his eyes, digging harder, flinging the mud away. “Get her out.” He shouted. “Get her out now.”

They pulled her body free and lay her down on the ground. Cole stared at her, her chest wasn’t moving. She didn’t even look like she was breathing.

The medics rushed in pushing everyone aside and checked her vitals.

“She’s got a pulse. It’s faint but it’s there.” One of them stated pulling some cotton lint to clean the mud from her mouth and nose and then attached a breathing mask. “We need to get her to the hospital now.”

“Use the chopper. We’ll call ahead.” Brandon said and they nodded carrying her over on a stretcher as Cole went with them. He didn’t look back, he didn’t even glance back at Brandon.

Maddie blinked opening her eyes.The light was so bright it hurt. Everything hurt. She screwed her face up, shutting her eyes tight and realised she was wearing a mask, some sort of breathing device. Carefully she pulled it from her face.

“Hey.” Cole said quietly taking her hand and she flinched at the contact.

“Turn the lights off.” She whispered so quietly he barely heard her. He got up and flipped the switch so that the only thing illuminated in the room was the machine.

“How’re you feeling?” He asked sitting back down. She’d pulled the mask from her face but her eyes were still shut.

“Like I’ve been buried alive.” She muttered and he smirked.

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