Secret Memories Read Free Page B

“I’m not leaving Lyndsay out here alone for another night. I have a flashlight, food and water. You head back and alert the emergency services to come get us in the morning.” He pulled a paper from his pocket. “This is her parents contact details and the detectives names at the Narrabeen station. Can you let them all know?”
    “Yeah, but I’m not sure about leaving, Rick. What if you fall or get injured? You don’t even know it’s her.”
    “Who else would it be? I’m staying. You can decide what you want to do but we’re wasting time and I need to get to her.”
    “Okay. I’ll head back and call it in. Be careful.” Adam reached into his backpack and removed a bottle of water, some muesli bars and a sandwich which he handed to Rick. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
    Adam headed in the direction of the track. “You be careful too,” Rick called to his back.
    Rick worked his way through the dense bush, the light was fading fast now that the sun had dropped behind the horizon. The thought of Lyndsay being hurt and alone propelled him along. He prayed he didn’t become lost. Finally the ravine tapered away and he was able to begin his descent towards where they had seen the body and flashes of red.
    He stumbled and tripped, falling to his knees on more than one occasion, as he picked his way along in the darkness. It had become cold, a chill wind blowing in from the river, so he pulled his all-weather jacket from his pack, slipped it on and zipped it up to his chin. His flashlight scanned up ahead.
    There, I can see the red again. Hold on Lyndsay, I’m coming. He hurried as fast as he could to her side and dropped to his knees. He shone the light over her. Her beautiful face was filthy, covered in dirt and dried blood from a myriad of cuts and scratches. Her lips were cracked and burnt. Her hair was a tangled mess, small twigs held in its grasp. He shook her gently. “Lyndsay, wake up sweetheart.”
    ***
    Someone was shaking her and calling her name. Had she arrived in heaven?
    “Open your eyes for me sweetheart.”
    The voice again. It was a nice, deep rumbling voice, filled with kindness but she wanted to sleep. She wasn’t ready for heaven.
    “Lyndsay, come on. Open your eyes.”
    The shaking became more insistent. She swatted at the hand. “Leave me alone. I want to sleep,” she grumbled in a croaky voice, her throat dry and parched.
    Rick relaxed slightly when she spoke. He reached in his pack for the first aid kit. “Where are you hurt?”
    “Everywhere,” she mumbled. Her eyes still tightly closed.
    “Can you sit up?”
    “No, I want to sleep.” Her stomach growled loudly.
    “Lyndsay, I need you to open your eyes and look at me. I have food and water but you can’t have them until I know you can sit up.”
    “Why do I need food and water in heaven?”
    Rick smiled. “Sweetheart, you’re not in heaven. You’re in the National Park and we have finally found you.”
    Found me? Someone has found me? I’m not dead? Slowly she opened her eyes and peered into her rescuer’s face. Such a kind, handsome face. “Who are you?”
    “My name is Rick. Rick Masters.” He ran his hands gently over her body. He couldn’t feel any obvious injuries or broken bones.
    “Rick Masters,” she murmured. Why did the name sound familiar?
    “Why couldn’t you get out of the park? Your parents said you were an experienced hiker.”
    “Broken ankle.” She winced as he helped her sit up.
    He shone the light down on her feet. Her right ankle was so swollen it looked like it was ready to pop. It was certainly broken, and badly.
    “I have help coming in the morning. They’ll have a stretcher to carry you out.”
    “Okay. Can I have water, please?”
    He handed her a bottle of water and she gulped thirstily before wiping the back of her hand across her mouth, catching stray droplets.
    “Thank you, for finding me.”
    “You’re very welcome, sweetheart.” He waved the flashlight around and