Rescued by a Highlander(63)

“In a hole! A sinkhole just opened up in the ground where they were playing and they both fell in.”

Madeline found Emma’s mother sobbing in the middle of the meadow while several clan members ushered everyone away from the site.

“Stay back, stay back or you will collapse it on top of them!”

Madeline stopped, glancing and assessing the situation.

She overheard one conversation. “They both fell in the hole, but only Emma is crying. We cannot see them, and Jennie doesn’t answer.”

Her heart stopped beating. How could they just stand here when the lasses lives were clearly in jeopardy? Jennie could have hit her head, Emma may have broken her leg. Either could be bleeding profusely. Glancing at Brenna, she caught the raw fear in her eyes.

“Go in after them!” Brenna shouted as Robbie arrived and assessed the situation.

Madeline recognized one of the men from the armory. “We can’t do that, my lady. The hole is too small for any of us and I will not send another child down there. It is in danger of collapsing now as it is.”

“We need to wait for the laird!” someone shouted. “He will know what to do.”

“We sent the guards to fetch him, but we cannot wait for him. It could be too late by then,” yelled another.

Emma’s mother, Moira, collapsed on the ground sobbing. “Oh, my bairn, my wee bairn. Someone help her!”

After Robbie gauged the situation, he returned to Brenna. “It is small, Brenna, too small for any of us. I heard faint crying, but I think it is Emma. She sounds far away, it must be deep. I called out to Jennie, but there was no response.”

He turned to one of his men and sent him back to the keep to retrieve ropes.

“I will go down,” Maddie stated. “I am sure I will fit.”

“You may fit. You are slimmer in the hip than many, but it is not safe. We need to find a solution that will not jeopardize anymore lives.”

Maddie’s hands fisted at her sides. “Robbie, either one could be bleeding to death. We cannot risk the wait. I can handle it. Lower me down! You can help me.”

“Nay, Maddie, Alex would have my hide. We will wait for the rope.” Robbie’s stern look forced Madeline to turn away in frustration. Clearly, he would not listen to reason.

Maddie evaluated the situation, estimating the size of the hole from her vantage point and waited. In the confusion, Robbie would have to turn away to give her the time she needed. She could not stand idly by. Determined her plan was sound, she impatiently waited. Robbie turned toward his guard and she darted, ignoring the yelling. Judging the fit, she lowered herself into the opening and let go.

Plunging into a world of darkness, her body roughly rebounded off the dirt and stones on the side of the hole as she plummeted. Curling her body into a ball, it seemed an eternity before she finally landed. A loud snap reverberated through the chamber as she braced her landing with her left arm. Sharp pain ripped through her as she drew her left hand in close.

She didn’t move for a few minutes to get her bearings. Pushing herself upright, her chest heaved from exertion and pain. Drawing on her inner strength to overpower the pain as she had trained herself to do multiple times, she maneuvered around the bottom to feel for soft bodies. There was nothing, nothing but dirt. Soot and grime covered her face, but she brushed it away with her right hand to improve her vision. Her breathing slowed enough to allow her to listen for sounds. Finally, wee Emma’s hiccupping sobs broke through her concentration. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she realized the hole was much wider at the bottom than at the top, and they were a long way down, causing her visibility to be minimal.

Spotting Emma’s form, she held her right arm out to the lass. “It is all right, Emma, come here,” she said softly. Emma waddled toward her and fell in her lap, wrapping her arms around Maddie. Hugging and soothing her as best she could, she searched in the shadows for Jennie. Still no clues.

Emma appeared to be only shaken from her fall. She found no warm liquid indicating fresh blood and Emma did not react with pain to any of Maddie’s touches.

Scooting with Emma on her lap proved difficult, but Maddie persisted. As she moved right, she noticed a small mound. Sliding over to the mound, she reached carefully to see if it was Jennie. Her hand met Jennie’s soft hair. Maddie brushed the hair back from her face and leaned forward. She sighed with relief as Jennie’s breath warmed her face.

“Jennie? It is Maddie, I am here with you. Can you answer me, Jennie?”

Maddie nudged her arm, but received no response. Tears welled in Maddie’s eyes. She searched for a heartbeat and found a strong one on her neck, but she could not arouse her. Running her hand around her head, she discovered a large bump on her temple. She must have been knocked out with the fall.