Page 146 of Rangers Mountain Rescue

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“I know.”

Two words.

But they carry everything.

Guilt.

Frustration.

Something deeper.

I swallow.

Turn back to his shoulder.

Focus.

Because if I don’t…

I’ll feel too much.

“You should’ve stayed down,” I say, trying to keep it clinical.

“You should’ve stayed inside,” he shoots back.

I almost laugh.

Because we’re the same.

And we both know it.

I finish bandaging his shoulder.

Check his ribs again.

Careful.

Gentle.

“Nothing broken,” I say.

“Bad bruising. You’re going to hate the next few days.”

“Already do.”

I step back.

Just slightly.

And that’s when it hits me.

How close I’ve been.

How close I still am.

The space between us feels charged.

Different.

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