CHAPTER FIVE
Ajei, Sophia Ann, Kate, Gwen, Evie, and Kat ran toward the approaching boats. The medical team was behind them, careful to not get the equipment dirty or wet. With the nearby parish clinic still under water, the facility at Belle Fleur was the only place they had to go.
“We were so worried about you all!” cried Ajei, jumping into Luke’s arms. “We’ve heard from the other teams on and off. Is it really horrible?”
“It’s worse than horrible,” said Luke swallowing as the stretchers took the victims away. Claudette, Marie, Erin, Lauren, Faith, and Grace led those who were not injured to the waiting room, where food awaited them. Warm blankets, showers, and clean clothing were next.
“Shower and get some rest,” said Ajei. “You won’t do anyone any good if you’re exhausted.”
Luke knew she was right but he was having trouble reckoning with the idea of deserting the people who needed them. The six men slid down the wall, their long legs stretched out as they lowered their heads. They had vowed to hold it in. To not let it get to them.
It was a stupid vow.
“I’ve seen a lot of shit in my day,” said Whiskey. “Horrible shit caused by man. But in all my life I’ve never seen such destruction caused by nature.” He leaned his head back and the tears began to fall. He didn’t make a sound. Not one groan. But the tears fell like waterfalls.
Eric looked at his friend. The big, huge, strong bear beside him, and reached out, squeezing his hand. Whiskey looked at him and saw his reflection. Dirty, cuts, exhaustion and tears.
Nine, Gaspar, Ian, Ghost, George, and Matthew stepped toward the men. They kneeled in front of them, each man reaching for the other’s knees.
“You did great work,” said Nine. “Saving anyone in that shit wasn’t easy. I’m so fucking proud of you all.”
“Same,” nodded Gaspar.
“Dad, there are more. We know there are more. The destruction,” sniffed Luke. “The dead animals, the homes gone. Nothing is left. Nothing. We are so fucking blessed.”
“I know,” said Gaspar gripping his son’s neck and pulling him into his chest. The other older men did the same. Six massive warriors. Strong, muscular, stoic, sobbing like little boys as the older warriors held them tightly.
“We’ll get as many as we can, son,” said Ghost hugging Grant. “This can’t be rushed, as much as we want to rush it. We can’t risk more lives.”
“The good news is that Stormy says the rain is done for at least a few days. The bad news is,” said Ian, “there is more coming. The ground will be so saturated it won’t be able to take much more.”
“What do we do?” asked Hex wiping his eyes. George kissed the man’s forehead and patted his cheek.
“We do what we always do. We do what we can and try to find as many survivors as we can before the next round hits us.”
Throughout the day teams returned, five and six men per team. They’d covered hundreds of square miles. Miles that most of the first responders couldn’t even get to.
Coast Guard helicopters and Navy Corps of Engineering helicopters were circling the most populated areas but not spending a lot of time in their neck of the woods.
The last group to enter the hospital was Trevor, Cruz, Striker, Jax, and Hunter. Jax was hobbling between Cruz and Hunter, wincing as he walked in.
“What the hell happened?” asked Luke running toward them.
“We were in water knee deep and he hit a piece of metal roofing. Shit sliced through his pant leg and damn near the muscles in his leg. If it weren’t for Cruz we’d be talking about something a lot worse,” said Trevor.
“That’s it,” said Luke shaking his head. “We do not go back out until the water has fully receded. I am not going to risk lives.”
“Luke, I’m okay, brother,” said Jax. Cam stared at the man raising his eyebrows.
“Yeah? Tell my sister that. She’ll have my balls for this one,” said Cam. As if on cue, Ellie turned and ran toward her husband.
“God. What happened? What’s wrong?” she demanded.
“Easy, sis. He cut his leg on a piece of metal roofing. Cruz got it sutured and bandaged.” Cam nodded at his sister, taking her hand and then nodded to Jax.
“Get off of it now!” she yelled.
“Babe, it’s okay,” said Jax reaching for her.
She shook her head, tears filling her eyes and he gripped her hand, pulling her against his chest. “I’m okay, baby.
It’s a deep cut but you know Cruz. He’s the fucking best. I’m okay it just hurts like fuck.
I’ve had a recent tetanus shot. I just need to get cleaned up and I promise, I will rest for the next twenty-four hours. ”
“Seventy-two,” growled Cruz. “You’re not going to fuck up my beautiful work. Get off your damn leg and keep the area clean.” Jax smirked, nodding at the other man.
“Yes, sir.”