Page 137 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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That’s Aspen, the nurse.

“I’m listening,” I say.

“Tell me where the pain is worst.”

I hesitate.

Blaze looks at me.

Raises an eyebrow.

“Ribs,” I admit.

“Left side.”

“Sharp when you breathe?”

“Yeah.”

A pause.

Short.

Controlled. None of us says we know what we’re doing.

“Okay,” she says.

“Blaze, I need you to check for uneven chest rise. Any wheezing, tell me immediately.”

Blaze shifts.

Does what she says.

“Breathing’s steady,” he reports.

“Good,” she replies.

But I hear it.

The tension underneath.

“Nash,” she says again.

“Stay awake.”

I huff a weak breath.

“Wasn’t planning on taking a nap.”

Silence.

Then—

“That wasn’t a suggestion.”

I almost smile.

Even now.

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