“Batman, I’m not impressed with your cave so far,” she said, watching him to evaluate whether he could wait until she stabilized Burt and Cid.
“Hell of a time to have the Batwing in the shop,” he said.
Mia flashed her light over her husband and winced when she saw the rebar protruding from his thigh. “That’s got to hurt.”
“I’ve felt better. See to the others, and then stop by on your way back up. I’m in desperate need of some attention.”
“He’s got six rubbers in his pocket, Mia,” Mike called up. “That should take you guys about six minutes…”
“Ahem, I believe you’ve underestimated my husband,” Mia said and continued to lower herself to the ground. She stepped out of the harness.
Mike pointed to Cid. Mia knelt down and ran her hands over her fallen friend. He had a lot of bruising and several broken bones. “Cid, I’m going to turn you on your back. Audrey, could you help me?”
They worked quickly but gently. Mia continued to move her hands over Cid.
“What’s the prognosis, Doc?”
“You’re never going to be able to play the piano again, but I think I can set these bones and start mending them. I’m worried about your liver and spleen,” she said honestly. “Let’s get you topside as soon as possible.” Mia turned to Mike. “I’m going to need your strength up there. Put on the harness, and I’ll pull you up.”
“I can climb,” Mike said. “Save your strength.”
“Okay. I’ll work on Cid. Audrey, help Mike stabilize the rope.”
“Yes, Mia,” Audrey said and braced her body to the task at hand.
Mia knelt down, took a deep breath, and unlocked the healing chamber of her mind. She knew that each time she did this, she increased the possibility of starting the transformation process, but her friends and husband would not survive unless she did so. “I call upon the mages of the four winds,” she said. “Give me your power to heal.”
Cid watched as Mia’s hands glowed. She started with his head and moved her hands over every square inch of his body. Soon the pain had dulled. He still felt weak, but he would live.
Mia got up and wiggled her back around. “Just getting the kinks out.” She looked up at Mike’s progression and waited until he had disappeared into the black void before moving the litter towards Cid.
“I’m going to pick you up.”
“Mia, I weigh a ton,” Cid protested.
“I’ll help,” Audrey said.
Mia nodded. “On three. One, two, three,” Mia said as they lifted the investigator and settled him into the litter. Mia and Audrey strapped him in. “We’re ready when you are, Mike!” Mia called.
Mike looked over at Murphy and nodded. Together they pulled Cid up past the beams, and when the litter was within reach, they hauled it up, and Mike dragged Cid into the bar. He untied the investigator and helped him to move slowly to a booth where Mike insisted Cid lay down.
“Just until Mia’s voodoo has a chance to work,” he said.
“Make sure you have her look at your ribs,” Cid said. “You have a rasp to your breathing.”
“Listen, super ears, you do your part and heal, and I’ll do mine, which is hero work. After you all are fine, I’ll have Mia play with my bones.”
“Why do you make it sound so dirty?” Cid asked.
“It’s a talent.” Mike picked up the litter and headed back to the open trap and called, “Litter coming down.”
Mia was already working on Burt. She had removed Mike’s field dressing and studied the break. “Burt, I’ve got to pull on this leg and ease it back into place first. It’s going to hurt like hell. Feel free to pass out, but don’t fight me, K?”
“I’ll do my best. Spawn of Satan! What the fuck are you…” Burt stopped talking.
“He’s out,” Audrey observed. “Or dead.” She bent over him. “He passed out. His breathing is steady,” she reported.
Mia had her eyes closed, allowing herself to be used by the magicians who permeated the dimension that the Gray Ladies had taught Mia to access. Knowledge that would take years for her to learn was pushed into her mind for her to take when needed. She started the healing process before she splinted the leg.
Audrey caught the litter and moved it as close to Burt as she could. She knew from experience that underneath the soft layers was a heavily-muscled man. Burt was going to be difficult to move.
Mia stood up and surveyed the situation. “We’ve got to wake him. He’s got one good leg and two good arms. He’s got to help us,” she insisted. Mia knelt down again. She touched his face. “Burt, wake up.”
Burt opened his eyes, and the pain of his leg, although not as extreme as before, assaulted his senses and he groaned.
“I’m sorry to do this, but you’ve got to help us move you,” she insisted.
“I’ll do my best. Get me to my feet, er, foot.”
Mia and Audrey waited until Burt sat up before lifting the man to his feet. Mia acted as a crutch. Burt moved the five feet slowly and managed to lie down in the litter before the pain was too much and he fainted once again.
“Wuss,” Mia said.
This brought a guffaw from Ted.
“Careful, you’re next, Martin,” Mia said. She turned to Audrey. “You’ve got to go up there. Mike can’t lift Burt on his own. Murphy’s low on power…”
“Mia, catch,” Ted said from above.
Mia looked up just in time to see the small cube drop. She snagged it before it hit the ground. She handed this to Audrey, explaining, “Before you give it to Murphy, you need to switch it on here.”
Audrey nodded, sliding into the harness. “How do I work this thing?”
Mia showed her and was pleased to see how fast the researcher picked up the technique.
“Audrey is on her way up!” she called. While she waited, Mia adjusted the straps securing Burt in the litter.
“Mia, how are you doing?” Ted
