Delta crumples to the ground, trembling as Sasha licks her face. “Good girl,” she cries. Tears spill down her cheek, and her leg is throbbing now. Blood stains the rip of her jeans, and it's growing worse by the second. “Shit,” she looks inside the rip and gulps. “This is gonna hurt.” The gash is about five inches across, but she doesn't see bone, only flesh. “That's a lot of blood,” Thinking quickly, Delta jerks off her light jacket and takes off her long T-shirt. Using a piece of a broken can, she slices the sleeve off and ties it around her thigh above the wound, which causes her to scream again. The rest of the shirt is used to pad the cut and soak up the blood. Feeling dizzy, Delta groans and takes note of her condition.
“We're screwed.” Thinking fast she does the only thing she can think to do. She unclips Sasha from her leash and looks into her eyes, “Sasha, Focus,” she orders, “Guard.”
Sasha was trained to guide and protect. Nothing will get by her unless she is released from that command.
Delta shivers, now wearing only a black tank top, she pulls her jacket back on and laughs. “Some adventure this turned out to be.” Glancing at the mill she wishes for a pen, imagining the silver mill during the height of the rush, soon, unable to fight the warmth of the sun she closes her eyes to rest.
Daniel drives as fast as he can to the turn-off. Once on the jeep trail, he can only go so far before they have to park. He leaps out and looks around, yelling for Delta. Reaching behind the seat, he grabs his walkie-talkie and hands his dad the other.
“Dad, you stay here in case she comes back. I will run up the trail and see if I can see any sign of her.” Daniel and Abby run up the gravel route to the summit of the overlook. It takes about ten minutes at the pace he is setting. Panting for breath, they take a second before looking around. “Nothing.”
“Look, Dad, that's Granite Ghost town over there. Do you think she went there?” Abby asks, staring at it.
“No, she isn't from here Abby, she wouldn't even know what it is.” But it looks like the nearest town, he thinks with a frown. “Maybe?” He turns to head back down the mountain, and Abby calls to him.
“Daddy, I just saw a flash down there!”
“That sounds like a dog…” they listen and sure enough the sound of a barking dog echoes across the valley. “Shit!” He radios his Dad as they make their way down to the truck. Chase is already inside with it running when they jump inside and tear off back down the hill.
“How long, Dad?” Daniel growls softly. Chase doesn’t answer immediately. He takes the jeep trail that leads to the Ghost town.
“Depends on the condition of the road, son.” The town was closed because of the hazardous conditions. Once the wealthiest silver mine on earth, it is now a shell of what was once a bustling town of three thousand miners and prospectors.
“She’s gonna be alright, Daddy. Sasha is with her,” Abby reminds him.
“True,” he squeezes her hand on his shoulder as they bounce along the dusty trail. They creep along at about ten miles an hour before they are forced to get out and walk. The sign for the town is in front of them. Abby holds the first aid kit and walks between Chase and Daniel, who both are carrying rifles.
Delta’s scream echoes off the brick buildings and through the town, terrifying Daniel to his core. He breaks into a run, straight up Main Street and in the direction of Sasha's furious barking. Daniel isn't sure what's worse, the fear or the silence that follows. Unsure which way to go he has to wait for a sign. “Delta!” He calls and gets no answer.
Chase catches up with Abby in tow. “Which way, Son?” He asks quietly.
“You two go that way, I’ll check out the mill,” Daniel decides.
“Come on Abby, she can’t be far.” They only make it two steps before Daniel yells again for Delta. This time, Sasha hears Daniel and starts barking.
Relief washes over the group, and they run the rest of the way down Main Street. Coming around a corner, they see Delta on the ground and Sasha in front of her. The dog stares at them, and her head drops low. She's on guard and won't back away until released.
Sasha licks Delta and causes her to open her eyes.
“What is it, girl?” She asks, pushing up to her elbow. “Cease, Sasha.” The dog runs straight to Abby, barking in excitement.
Delta looks up at Daniel just as he squats down to brush her hair from her face. “Hey, beautiful,” he says causing her to smile and him, burst into tears.
“You found me,” she babbles as his hug envelopes her.
“Of course, I did.” Lifting her chin, he presses a hard kiss to her mouth soothing them both. Chase walks up smiling down at her and offers her some water while Abby is busy giving Sasha some water from her hands. His face pales when he sees the blood-stained shirt wrapped around her leg.
Delta is so stunned by the feel of Daniel that she can only stare at him. Chase calls to Abby for the first aid kit. “Okay, Delta, I'm gonna need to check your leg,” Chase says kneeling down beside her. Daniel looks down for the
