Page 124 of The Other Side

Another step.

“I’m right here.”

Another.

“You’re nearly there.”

Drum clung to those words more tightly than the rope itself. Finally, his boot struck level ground. Relief hit him so suddenly his legs simply folded. He collapsed sideways onto the damp stone, every muscle trembling uncontrollably.

“Down,” he gasped.

“Drum! Drum!” Osian panicked somewhere above him.

“I’m okay.” Though every nerve ending told him otherwise.

“Good,” Kit called. “Stay exactly where you are. Keep the rope attached.”

Drum lay on his side, fighting for each shallow breath.

“The police…” Drum gasped.

“What about them?”

“The men who did this.” His voice faded between breaths. “They need arresting… We need evidence.”

There was a pause.

“I understand,” Kit replied. “Leave that with us.”

“Drum?” Osian again. Gentler now. “I’m staying right here.”

Despite everything, Drum smiled. “How…did you find me?”

“I went to Sparlow. Spoke to the werewolf at the café.”

A weak laugh escaped Drum before it dissolved into a painful cough.

“That’s Kit,” Osian continued. “Turns out he’s a weredog, not a werewolf. I need to apologise to him for that. We went to the cottage. Will kept the police officer distracted while Kit picked up your scent.”

“Smart.”

He shifted slightly. The pressure in his chest eased just enough to steal one deeper breath.

“You’re right about calling the police,” Osian said. “We can’t just pull you out and disappear. This is a crime scene now. Kit and Grant are with mountain rescue. They’ll be the ones who officially find you.”

“You?”

“I’ll stay until I have to leave.” There was a tiny pause. “I’m not walking away until I know you’re safe.”

“How will they explain…finding me?”

“Kit and Grant were out running. They thought someone was trespassing in the old workings, came to investigate, heard you shouting. Grant fetched rope and water and called it in.”

“Believable.”

“That’s the idea.”

Time dissolved after that. Sometimes he heard voices. Sometimes only dripping water. Once he thought he heard someone crying. Maybe Osian. Maybe himself. He wasn’t sure.