“Can’t you help us right now?” Ashley whined in a question. “I don’t like being down here. The snow keeps shifting around us and I’m afraid we’re going to slip off at any moment.”
Warning bells went off in James’ head, knowing that if the snow was shifting, that changed the scenario. Rather than being able to wait, they needed to get ready in case the situation became too dangerous to await the arrival of the helicopter.
James pulled his rucksack off his back and placed it on the ground. He opened the sack and pulled out two harnesses and rope.
“What are you doing?” Ross asked from beside him. “You heard what command said. We’re supposed to wait for the helicopter to get here.”
“We need to be prepared in case the snow under them gives out and they slide off that ledge. There’s nothing for them to hang on to, so their only chance will be for us to pull them up.”
“If we try to pull them up, we’re going against a direct order.”
“If we wait and that snow slides, they’re as good as dead,” James countered. “I won’t wait around and watch those women die when there’s something I can do about it.” James attached and secured the two harnesses to the rope, then started to send it down. “I’m lowering two harnesses. I want you both to take one and slip your legs through the holes and secure the harness around your waist.”
“Are you going to pull us up?” Melanie asked with confusion. “I thought we were supposed to wait.”
“If the snow is shifting around you, we need to be able to pull you up at a moment’s notice,” James explained as he attached the other end of the rope to his own harness after wrapping it around a nearby tree. “I want one of you to attach the rope to your harness, while we wait. You can unhook it once the helicopter gets here.”
“If we have to go up on this rope, I’m going first,” Ashley said, jumping up and pushing her friend away from the rope. “I’m not dying on this mountain.”
“Be careful, any sudden movements can cause the snow to shift again,” James warned from the top.
“Too late,” Melanie cried out as she glanced around in fright. “I can feel the snow moving.”
“We need to pull them up now,” James demanded as he dug his boots into the snow.
Ross joined him and wrapped his gloved hands around the front of the rope. Together, they pulled in a quick but even pace. A few seconds later, Ashley was at the top of the cliff.
“It’s about time,” she grumbled under her breath. “I’ve been stuck on that ledge for hours. I need a Bailey’s and cream, hot shower, and full body massage immediately.”
“Let’s get your friend up first,” James stated as he tried to mask his disgust for Ashley.
“Oh, right, her,” Ashley said with a shrug. “I guess I can wait to have my arm looked at until you heave her up here.”
James held in the sigh that threatened to escape. What was wrong with this woman? Didn’t she understand her friend was in a life or death situation which was far more important than a broken bone?
He quickly removed the rope from around Ashley, avoiding eye contact with the woman. He knew that if he looked at her, she would see how much he disliked her.
“Hey, not so rough,” she said in anger. “I’m sore all over.”
James didn’t apologize, but instead turned back to the edge of the cliff and lowered the rope down. “Melanie, it’s your turn.”
“I’m scared,” she cried out. “The snow is fluctuating even more than it was before. I don’t want to move and make it worse.”
“Listen to me, you’re going to be okay, Melanie. I know you feel like you can’t do this, but you can,” James assured her. “All you have to do is take the rope and snap it into the ring on your harness. Once you do that, the rest is up to us.”
“Okay, I’m going to try.” Melanie slowly shuffled over and reached for the rope. Just as her hand grasped it, the snow started to give way. Luckily, she was able to attach the rope before the loose snow completely slid off the ledge. “Don’t let me go,” she cried out. “I can feel the ground going out from under me.”
“I won’t let you go,” James promised as he looked down at her. “Ross, get over here and help me,” he shouted over his shoulder.
The other rescue officer came over and grabbed the rope a second time. They started to pull her up, but they didn’t get very far before there was a loud cracking sound, followed by a “whumph.” James’s stomach seized with fear. He knew it meant there was an avalanche somewhere further up the mountain.
“Pull faster,” James ordered with grave concern as he looked up at the mountain and saw a snowy torrent heading straight for the ravine. “We need to get her up here now.”
They doubled their pace, but it wasn’t fast enough. She wasn’t even halfway up when the snow hit the ledge. It pulled the rope tight, nearly pulling James and Ross over with it.
“We can’t hold onto her,” Ross called out. “The avalanche is going to take all of us with it. You need to release yourself from her.”
“I can’t do that,” James yelled back. “I told her I’d keep her safe.”
“She’s lost, James. You have to let her go, or you’re going to be lost too.”
James couldn’t do it. Even though he knew Ross was right, he didn’t have it in him to let Melanie go. He could feel the rope pulling him forward and he knew at any moment, he was going to topple over the side.
From the corner of his eye, James saw Ross pull out his knife. He sliced downward and cut the rope, causing the bottom half to slip over the edge and fall into the ravine.
“No,” James yelled as he lunged toward the edge of the cliff. All that was below was a sea of white death. Melanie had been swallowed up whole, and James was left with the horrible knowledge that he’d failed to do his job when it mattered most. He didn’t save Melanie, and he was going to have to live with that for the rest of his life.
2
“And cut,” Donald Henderson, the director for Nicole West’s latest movie, shouted. “That’s a wrap for scene fifteen. Good job everyone,” he said with a grin. “That’s it for today.”
Nicole relaxed and pushed her blonde hair behind her ear before picking up a bottle of water from the nearby craft services table. It had been a long day and she was exhausted. She couldn’t wait to get back to Clear Mountain Resort, where the cast and crew for the movie were staying during the location shooting. Her bed was calling to her and she couldn't wait to fall asleep.
“That was an…interesting choice for that last scene,” Tayla McCormick, the best-known crime drama actress, observed as she followed suit and grabbed a bottle. “Did you mean to make yourself tear up that way?”
“And what way is that?” Nicole questioned defensively. She knew that Tayla had wanted to play Nicole’s character, and been forced to settle for the supporting role instead.
“It was as if you looked like you were, well, for lack of a better word, constipated. I wasn’t sure if that was what you were going for, but if it was, you did a great job,” Tayla said with a smug grin. “I’m sure you’ve got more great moments like that for us tomorrow. I can’t wait to see what you have planned, as I’m sure the audience will be too, when they watch your performance.”