Page 35 of Ruby’s Outback Love

“It won’t take us long; the weather is perfect for flying.”

Elouise radioed in for take-off instructions and once she received the go ahead, taxied the plane towards the grass runway.

Within moments we soared skyward and once at cruising altitude, and with the pilot’s okay, I unstrapped myself and checked on Kirra who was beginning to wake.

Elouise radioed ahead, requesting an ambulance to meet us on landing. We would arrive at the small regional airport in Bourke within thirty minutes.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Outskirts of Bourke

RUBY

“How’s Kirra doing?” Elouise’s voice came through the headphones loud and clear.

“B.P., Pulse and Resps. are all stable and within normal range. She opened her eyes a little while back but she’s sleeping again now.”

“Let her sleep, she won’t feel so frightened. I’m about to commence our descent into Bourke so please strap yourself in.”

The flight had been smooth and fast, much less boring than the long drive the others had in front of them. I checked Kirra once more before moving to the seat behind Elouise and strapping myself in. As we banked into a turn, I peered out the window. We were above the Mitchell Highway, a main artery through town. Cars and trucks looked like toys from our height. The turn was completed and Elouise dropped lower; farmland stretched out beneath us.

I relaxed back in my seat and waited for the aircraft to land. I’d closed my eyes for only a second when a loud bang echoed through the plane and it shuddered. Never having been a huge fan of flying, my level of anxiety shot through the roof.

I sat up straight and stiff in the seat, anxiously waiting for Elouise to explain what was happening. I watched as she pushed and pulled at various controls and flipped several switches. Her calmness had a settling effect on me until I peered over her shoulder and was shocked to see the ground rapidly coming up to meet us.

Thoughts of Phil bombarded my mind. I’d never get the opportunity to tell him how I felt. I’d left it too late; anger had clouded my judgement and I’d lost the capacity to forgive. Regrets tumbled over each other.

Elouise frantically wrestled the controls but her efforts appeared to have no effect.

“Brace, Ruby, we’re going to hit hard.”

I placed my hands on the back of her seat as we’d been instructed by the FDS trainers and lowered my head to them. My knees were bent, feet firmly placed together on the floor. I prayed that all three of us onboard would escape safely.

Moments later, the plane hit the ground with an ear-shattering bang. Medical equipment we thought was firmly secured, catapulted through the cockpit.

My head slammed into the back of the seat and I felt the skin tear, the pain and throbbing was instant, agonizing. Moaning with pain, I raised my head to witness several pieces of metallic debris flying past the window. The front of the aircraft was pushed back into the cockpit. It seemed like hours had passed before we finally skidded to a stop. Quiet descended with the exception of an ominous buzzing sound.

A gut feeling warned me we needed to get out. Now! Ignoring the throbbing in my head and the blood trickling into my eyes, I freed myself from the seatbelt and stood on unsteady legs.

Elouise hadn’t spoken a word so I assumed she’d been knocked out cold. Her head rested against the control panel which had been pushed back and up into the cockpit. I set her back in the seat and noted the large gash on her forehead which oozed blood at a steady, but not yet alarming rate.

I checked around, hoping she wasn’t pinned beneath the panel because I had no idea how long it would be before help arrived and some instinct urged me to get everyone out of the plane. A wisp of smoke rising from the front of the aircraft caught my eye and a shiver of cold dread ran down my spine.

I shook Elouise’s shoulder but received no response. I would have to try and get her out on my own. Bending down, I tested her legs. One moved freely, the other appeared held in place by a large chunk of metal. It had embedded itself just about her knee and the area was soaked with blood. I was almost sure a major blood vessel had been severed.

Our situation was bad and getting worse by the minute. I was convinced if I didn’t find a way to get Elouise out, she would either suffer life ending blood loss or be killed when the plane exploded. I feared my last assumption was fast approaching if the increase in smoke was any guide. I sprang into action and made Kirra my first priority as I knew Elouise would want.

The girl was still either sleeping or unconscious, either way, she was peaceful and uninjured. I released the straps holding her in place, slid out the I.V., lifted her into my arms and struggled to the door.

Luck was with me, the door opened without effort and the steps automatically lowered into place. I hurried down the metal staircase and raced off the plane, trying to stifle my screams of pain. Once I was sure we were far enough away, I laid her down on the ground and sprinted back.

Smoke was becoming thicker, I was running out of time but warned myself over and over not to panic.

Once back in the aircraft, I found a medi pack which contained plasters and bandages. I secured a large plaster across the gash in Elouise’s forehead and dropped to my knees.

Crawling beneath the panel, I tied the bandage securely above the wound on her leg before removing the large piece of metal. I had no time to check if I’d managed to stem the bleeding but it appeared to have slowed.

I could have cried with relief when both legs slid free. I positioned myself at Elouise’s back, hooked my arms under hers and locked my hands together in front of her chest. Grunting and groaning, I dragged her to the open door. It was going to be a rough ride for her but I convinced myself it was better than being dead.