Page 4 of Mountain Reawakening

And that is my ultimate gratitude for today.

Chapter Four

Tanner

The trail I’ve been following and losing on and off for nearly three hours has no rhyme or reason. It’s crossed back and forth across the expanse of the forest, even going in circles at times. I’m almost positive the signs I’ve found are from Maisie. Every so often I find a partial print of a small foot in soft soil, indicating I’m on the right track. It’s worrisome that the prints have included toes, which means she’s out here barefoot.

My team is spread out around the area searching as well, but no one has discovered anything more concrete to go on.

Periodically I call out Maisie’s name with my hands cupped beside my mouth, with no response. It’s concerning she still hasn’t been located by now. I’m frustrated because this is taking much longer than expected. The desire to erase the devastation and worry as soon as possible from the cerulean eyes of her mother only exacerbates the helplessness.

I growl at losing the trail yet again. Circling the area cautiously to avoid potentially destroying signs, I yell for Maisie once more. I stand quietly, listening for any response. A rustle of brush by a nearby nurse log draws my attention. Scanning the vicinity, my gaze catches on something purple tucked into a depression in the ground by the log.

My pulse races as I scurry toward the spot. Nausea swirls in my belly at the sight. “Maisie?” I call softly, not wanting to startle her.

The purple moves. Rising up, Maisie rubs her eyes before blinking at me slowly.

“Hey sweet girl, my name is Tanner. I’m here to take you back to your mommy.” I squat down next to her to appear less threatening and intimidating.

“You knowed my mommy?”

“Yep, she’s worried about you. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“My feets hurts some.”

“Can I take a look at them?”

At her nod, I lift her feet into my hands. “It looks like you got some scrapes. Is it okay if I clean them?”

“Otays.”

I swing my pack off my back and retrieve my med kit. Pulling out the alcohol wipes, I warn her, “Now this might sting some, but we need to get your feet cleaned so they don’t start to hurt worse, okay?”

Her eyes wide, she nods.

I’m as quick and as gentle as I can be getting the worst of the dirt off. She’s a courageous little thing, pressing her lips together and only whimpering once. “You’re doing great Maisie. You’re such a brave girl. Okay all done. How about we get you home?”

She nods again before holding out her arms.

I take off my flannel shirt. “How about we put this on you so you’re not so cold?”

“Otay. I gots lost. Is Mommy mad?”

I chuckle as I help her thread her small arms into the much too large garment. Rolling up the sleeves so they don’t hang to her feet, I assure her, “She’s not mad at all, sweet girl. She’s just worried.

“Ready?” I ask, swinging her up into my arms after radioing my crew I’ve located her safe and sound, with no immediate medical required. She’ll be checked over by Alana, our paramedic, when we get back, just to be sure.

“You’ve been on quite the adventure, haven’t you? How’d you end up clear out here?”

“I woked up early. I was being quiet sos I didn’t wake up Mommy. I saw a bunny outside and wanted to catch it.” She starts telling me the story of how the bunny got her lost.

They say children are resilient. I’ve never been around them enough to confirm this to be true, but if the little blonde haired cherub in my arms is any indication, then they couldn’t be more right.

She chatters nonstop almost the entire hike back. The relief of locating her almost brought me to my knees. Seeing her sit up when I called her name was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. Even after hundreds of successful rescues.

When she crawled right into my arms, clinging to me like a koala cub to its mother, my chest ached for all I’ve lost

Eventually, she falls asleep against my shoulder. Exhausted from her ordeal, I’m sure.