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."Are you okay?""I think so.We need to find Doc, but I don't know if I can walk.I-I hit my leg, when I fell."A growl strangled in his throat."Which leg? Let me see."I tried to straighten out my hurt leg-it was the right one-and groaned again.His hands started at my ankle, testing the bones, the joints.He rotated my ankle carefully."Higher.Here." I pulled his hand to the back of my thigh, just above the knee.I moaned again when he pressed the sore place."It's not broken or anything, I don't think.Just really sore.""Deep muscle bruise, at least," he muttered."And how did this happen?""Must have.landed on a rock when I fell."He sighed."Okay, let's get you to Doc.""Kyle needs him more than I do.""I have to go find Doc anyway-or some help.I can't carry Kyle that far, but I can certainly carry you.Oops-hold on."He turned abruptly and ducked back into the river room.I decided I wouldn't argue with him.I wanted to see Walter before.Doc had promised to wait for me.Would that first dose of painkiller wear off soon? My head swam.There was so much to worry about, and I was so tired.The adrenaline had drained, leaving me empty.Ian came back with the gun.I frowned because this reminded me that I'd wished for it before.I didn't like that."Let's go."Without thinking, he handed the gun to me.I let it fall into my open palms, but I couldn't curl my hands around it.I decided it was a suitable punishment, to have to carry the thing.Ian chuckled."How anyone could be afraid of you." he mumbled to himself.He picked me up easily and was moving before I was settled.I tried to keep the tenderest parts-the back of my head, the back of my leg-from resting on him too hard."How'd your clothes get so wet?" he asked.We were passing under one of the fist-sized skylights, and I could see the hint of a grim smile on his pale lips."I don't know," I muttered."Steam?"We passed into darkness again."You're missing a shoe.""Oh."We passed through another beam of light, and his eyes flashed sapphire.They were serious now, locked on my face."I'm.very glad that you weren't hurt, Wanda.Hurt worse, I should say."I didn't answer.I was afraid of giving him something to use against Kyle.Jeb found us just before we hit the big cave.There was enough light for me to see the sharp glint of curiosity in his eyes when he saw me in Ian's arms, face bleeding, the gun resting gingerly on my open hands."You were right, then," Jeb guessed.The curiosity was strong, but the steel in his tone was stronger.His jaw was tight beneath the fan of his beard."I didn't hear a shot.Kyle?""He's unconscious," I said in a rush."You need to warn everyone-part of the floor collapsed in the river room.I don't know how stable it is now.Kyle hit his head really hard trying to get out of the way.He needs Doc."Jeb raised one eyebrow so high it almost touched the faded bandanna at his hairline."That's the story," Ian said, making no effort to conceal his doubt."And she's apparently sticking to it."Jeb laughed."Let me take that off your hands," he said to me.I let him have the gun willingly.He laughed again at my expression."I'll get Andy and Brandt to help me with Kyle.We'll follow behind you.""Keep a close eye on him when he wakes up," Ian said in a hard tone."Can do."Jeb slouched off, looking for more hands.Ian hurried me toward the hospital cave."Kyle could be really hurt.Jeb should hurry.""Kyle's head is harder than any rock in this place."The long tunnel felt longer than usual
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