Chapter 28
Jordan
The cabin was quiet, save for the occasional crackling of the fireplace. Jordan slipped out to pick up Alex’s antibiotics from the pharmacy. When he returned about an hour later, he carried the medication. He also had another bag with him.
Alex was sitting on the couch, his gaze lost on the laptop’s computer screen. He looked up as Jordan entered.
“I got your antibiotics,” Jordan said, handing Alex the small bag. “And something else.”
He held up a bag from the pet supply store. “I called Chris from the pet store. He was kind enough to meet me tonight and open the store so I could get this.”. He reached into the bag and pulled out another GPS location device. It was exactly like the one they bought for Shadow. “I thought we could set it up and test its range in the forest tomorrow. It might give us a better idea of how to find Shadow.”
A brief spark of interest flickered in Alex’s eyes, but it quickly faded. “Thanks, Jordan,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “Why another one?”
“I want to register this on the website and have us carry it with us on our search tomorrow,” Jordan explained. “We can tell what kind of terrain blocks the signal and what kind allows it to get through. I’m hoping it helps us pinpoint his location.” He tried to inject a note of optimism into his voice. “Chris was great. He’ll also meet us at the trailhead in the morning to help with the search.”
Despite Jordan’s efforts, Alex’s mood remained subdued.
Jordan respected Alex’s need for space. He stayed close but didn’t crowd him. He got his laptop and set up the new GPS unit on the same account. As the night wore on, Alex’s emotions bubbled to the surface several times. Tears streamed down his face. He sobbed as panic attacks seized him.
Jordan was there instantly each time. He wrapped his arms around Alex and held him. He whispered soothing words, his voice a steady presence in the tumult of Alex’s grief. “I’m here, Alex. You’re not alone in this.”
Alex clung to Jordan. His sobs eventually subsided into quiet whimpers. Jordan felt each wave of emotion as keenly as if it were his own, his heart aching for Alex and Shadow.
As they prepared for bed, the reality of the situation remained heavy in the air. Jordan helped Alex settle, ensuring he was comfortable given his injuries. In the darkness, Jordan listened to Alex’s steady breathing. Despite everything, that sound brought a measure of peace.
The night was long and filled with moments of silence and sudden tears. Through it all, Jordan was there—a steadfast presence, holding Alex, sharing in his pain, and offering silent strength.
The first light of dawn was breaking as Jordan awoke. Alex had been up for a while and slipped into his military training mode without a word. He efficiently packed three backpacks with water, protein bars, extra clothes, and an emergency kit. His movements were methodical, each item filled with precision and purpose.
Jordan watched, understanding the need for this focus. He quickly prepared some oatmeal while Alex loaded the car. He urged Alex to eat something before they left. Alex complied, swallowing mechanically, his mind already on the task ahead.
“How are you?” Jordan asked.
Alex replied, “The worst is behind me, I think. When I woke up earlier, I did one of Dr. Martin’s guided mediations he made for me. His voice doesn’t irritate me when I meditate like others do. He has a way of calming me.”
Jordan says, “That’s great. I’m glad they’re helping.”
“You’re helping, Jordan. I appreciate that you don’t push me. You let me work things out for myself, but knowing you are in the room makes the process easier.”
A smile came to Jordan’s face. “One thing I’m learning about us is that I know when I need to be in your space and when to give you space,” he said. “Calling you out last night was me being in your space. I knew you needed to vent, but you also needed a push.”
As they stood while eating in the kitchen, Alex reached over and hugged Jordan. “Thank you for making me feel strong even when I’m not.”
“Even at your worst, you’re still the strongest man I know. I love you because of your strength of character, will, and determination. I love you not just because of all those amazing muscles. PTSD doesn’t define you. It is a part of you. Like my hearing loss.”
Alex looked lovingly at Jordan. “Are you ready to go find our boy?”
“Absolutely.”
Forty minutes later, they arrived at the trailhead. They found a remarkable assembly of people. Thirty-five individuals had gathered in the early morning light. Chris from the pet store was standing by his car. Sean’s firefighter friends all surrounded Lisa and Brenda. Pawsitive Vibes staff and volunteers scattered throughout the parking area. Lawyers from Pacific Edge Legal Group were near a table with Linda.
Sean approached Alex and announced that a friend from search and rescue would soon join them. The friend would bring a tracking dog.
“We’ll need something with Shadow’s scent,” Sean said, looking toward Jordan and Alex.
Jordan hurried to Alex’s truck and retrieved a well-worn toy that Shadow often played with. Handing it to Sean, he returned to stand beside Alex, who remained quiet, his eyes fixed on the forest ahead. He sensed Alex’s energy diminishing as he stared into the woods. He grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
Linda, ever the organizer, had thought of everything. She arranged radios, maps of the area, bottled water, protein snacks, and first aid kits on the tables.
Lisa told Jordan she called Linda. The two of them, with Sean, were up for most of the night getting everything ready for the search.
Jordan saw that Linda had set up a satellite link she borrowed from the office. She set up a station at the trailhead base camp to get a strong Wi-Fi signal. This technological setup would be amazing for maintaining communication and coordination throughout the search. It impressed Jordan.
Standing at the forefront of the assembled group, Lisa exuded confidence and authority. She had organized the search grid with incredible efficiency. Thanks to Sean, they distributed radios that were on loan from search and rescue. She assigned people into groups and handed out maps of the area. Her leadership skills were a sight to behold.
Sean and Lisa worked seamlessly together, coordinating the volunteers with precision. They told Jordan and Alex that they were on search team A heading north. They ensured they were well-equipped for the search.
As they watched, Jordan felt struck by the enormity of the operation’s logistics. “I didn’t know it would be like this,” he whispered to Alex, his voice laced with awe and appreciation. “How did she get a food truck to come up here?”
Alex nodded, his jaw set with determination. “They’re all here for Shadow... for us,” he said, a mix of pride and guilt in his voice.
The morning wore on, and the search parties departed and moved deeper into the woods. Jordan and Alex prepared to leave on their assigned route. Before leaving, Jordan set up the GPS tracking website on Linda’s laptop. The screen showed a digital map with a minor blip representing their location. He explained that he and Alex have a second device to help them find Shadow’s location. Linda and a few volunteers watched the screen.
Alex grabbed the backpacks from the truck. He tied the three packs he set up and Jordan’s veterinary bag together. Then he hoisted them onto his back effortlessly.
Jordan said, “If you think I’m letting you carry all four packs, you’re wrong. What about your hip?”
Alex laughed. “My hip hurts like a bitch. But I’ve hiked longer distances and carried more, even with more injuries. This is nothing.”
“I will not win this, will I, Atlas?” Jordan joked.
Alex replied, “Nope, let’s get going.”
Minutes later, they set off on their assigned route. The early morning sun cast its rays through the trees, illuminating the path ahead. Thirty minutes after they left, Linda contacted Jordan on the radio. She said the blip that marked their location on the laptop vanished.
“It must be the tree canopy,” Jordan told Linda. “It is noticeably thicker where we are now.”
Jordan and Alex continued their search. The dense forest around them was beautiful and daunting. Only the sounds of nature and their footsteps punctuated the silence. Jordan kept a watchful eye on the surroundings, alert for any signs of bears. His senses had heightened since Sean distributed bear spray to the search teams.
As they trekked deeper into the woods, Jordan noticed Alex favoring his injured hip. Jordan knew that Alex, stoic as ever, wouldn’t voice his pain or ask for a break.
“Let’s stop for a minute,” Jordan suggested. He found a small clearing where they could rest. “We need to stay hydrated and keep our energy up.”
Alex reluctantly agreed, easing himself down onto a fallen log. They both took sips of water and unwrapped protein bars.
It was then that Alex’s resolve crumbled. Tears formed in his eyes, and his voice choked with emotion. “Jordan, what will I do if we can’t find Shadow? What if he’s lost, hurt... or worse? I can’t lose him. I can’t lose anyone else. I’m not strong enough.”
Jordan turned to face Alex. “Alex, listen to me,” he said. “You are a soldier who has faced challenges most people can’t imagine. You have a strength tested in ways few will ever know.”
Alex looked up, his tear-streaked face a picture of vulnerability and fear.
Jordan continued, his voice steady and reassuring. “Tap into that strength now, more than ever. Remember everything you’ve learned, the good and the bad. It’s all part of who you are. That strength, that resilience, it’s still there, Alex. I need you to dig deeper than you have in a long time. I know it’s in there.”
Jordan’s words were like a lifeline. They were authentic.
Alex took a deep breath. He wiped away his tears, nodding slowly. “You’re right,” he said, his voice still a little shaky. “I can’t give up. Not now. Shadow needs me.”
Jordan reached out, placing a hand on Alex’s shoulder. “And I’m right here with you every step of the way. We’re in this together. ”
As they stood up to continue their search, there was a renewed sense of purpose in their movements. They resumed their hike together. The surrounding forest seemed less daunting now.
The forest around Jordan and Alex was a maze of green, the dense canopy overhead obscuring the sky. They moved steadily, guided by determination. Suddenly, the radio attached to Jordan’s belt crackled to life. It broke the silence of their trek.
It was Lisa’s voice, tinged with excitement. “Jordan, Alex, we see him! Shadow’s GPS signal just popped up on the laptop. He’s northeast of our current position, near Ransom Creek!”
Jordan’s heart leaped at the news. “Can you see our location from there?” he asked, his voice filled with urgency.
“No, your signal’s still out. But Shadow’s is clear.” Lisa responded her voice a beacon of hope.
Fiddling with one backpack, Alex looked up suddenly. “Wait, I have my drone in here. We can use it to get our GPS signal above the tree line.”
Jordan turned to him, surprise evident on his face. “You have a drone?”
Alex nodded, pulling out a compact yet sophisticated-looking drone. “It’s not much, but it should do the job. I brought it with us yesterday when we were hiking the trail. I chose not to use it because of all the trees, but the drone is still charged.
They quickly set up the drone and attached the GPS locator. Jordan watched in amazement as Alex expertly navigated the controls. The drone whirred to life. Its rotors buzzed as it lifted off the ground and ascended higher and higher. Alex guided the branches like an expert until it cleared the thick canopy of trees.
Lisa’s voice came through the walkie-talkie again, barely containing her excitement. “We see you! You’re both on the screen now. Shadow is directly north of your GPS signal, about two and a half inches on the screen.”
Jordan laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders. “What’s that in miles, Lisa?”
“I don’t know, just head north!” Lisa replied with a hint of laughter in her voice. “I’ll keep you updated if he moves or we lose the signal again. ”
He armed himself with this new information. Their recent technological advantage lifted Jordan and Alex’s spirits. The drone buzzed overhead as Alex brought it back down.
The radio squawked again in Lisa’s voice. “We lost your signal again.”
Jordan pressed the button on the radio. “It’s okay. We had our GPS on a drone and sent it above the tree line. We can do it again if we need to check our position with you.”
Alex retrieved the GPS unit and placed the drone back into the backpack. Pulling out his compass, he found north and then moved at a quick pace.
As they moved, the hope flickering in Jordan’s heart grew stronger. Each step felt more purposeful, guided by the knowledge that Shadow was within reach.
Despite his injury, Alex moved with determination, his gaze fixed on the north. Jordan stayed close to ensure Alex didn’t overexert himself. The radio crackled occasionally with updates from Lisa. As they continued northward, a cautious optimism replaced the morning’s despair.
At one point, Lisa delivered a flurry of updates to Alex and Jordan. “We’ve redirected everyone who was in different areas and have a new plan. Four other teams are converging on Shadow’s location now,” she informed them.
Alex clutched the radio. “What’s the plan, Lisa?” he asked.
“Linda’s going to stay at this base camp with the laptop. She’ll monitor the GPS signals and stay in touch,” Lisa explained. “Sean, some others, and I are moving to a closer trailhead to where we see Shadow’s signal.”
Jordan and Alex exchanged a look of understanding.
“Sean’s a seasoned hiker, he knows this area inside out,” Lisa continued. “He mentioned scattered cabins around where Shadow’s signal is coming from. It’s possible someone might have seen him or will find him.”
The notion that Shadow might be near one of the cabins offered a glimmer of hope.
“Shadow’s still in the same area, near Ransom Creek,” Lisa added. “We’ve got a good chance of finding him, Alex. ”
In the background, Jordan could hear the sounds of teams organizing and moving out. The operation was a well-oiled machine.
“Thanks, Lisa. We’re heading in that direction now,” Jordan responded.
“Stay safe, and keep in touch.” Lisa signed off, her voice a rallying cry in the wilderness. The possibility of finding Shadow, once a distant hope, now felt tangibly close.
Despite the pain in his hip, Alex moved with a newfound purpose. Jordan kept pace, his eyes scanning the terrain, alert to any sign of Shadow or potential hazards.
As they neared the creek, the sounds of running water mixed with the natural chorus of the forest. The area was coming alive with the efforts of the search teams.
Linda’s voice crackled on the radio. “Jordan, I can see you on the computer screen now, both you and Shadow. If you keep going upstream, you should run into him. His signal has moved a little, but he is still in the same area.”
Alex smiled, and Jordan replied, “Thanks, Linda. We’re heading upstream.”
During their focused search, Jordan’s face showed frustration. He realized something was amiss. He exhaled, his hand instinctively reaching up to his left ear. Alex, attuned to Jordan’s every expression, noticed the change immediately.
“What’s wrong?” Alex asked, his voice laced with concern.
“It’s my hearing aid,” Jordan replied, a hint of annoyance in his tone. “I forgot to recharge them last night with everything going on. I want to hear if Shadow barks or if any sounds could lead us to him.”
Alex’s face softened with understanding. He stopped in his tracks and quickly delved into his grey backpack. After rummaging, he triumphantly pulled out a small white case. It contained Jordan’s backup pair of hearing aids that operated on batteries.
Jordan’s eyes widened in surprise. “I can’t believe you remembered these.”
Alex returned the smile, his actions speaking louder than words. “You got me, I got you.”