The Rescue

They'd summited early, just before dawn. Katie had never been this high up, and she felt she could touch the heavens she was so close. But they had to get down now, before the storms hit later in the day.

But as they descended, she tripped. She was buckled in, the same as the others, but on the level of the pitch, it didn't stop her from bashing her ankle into a jagged rock. It broke instantly, even with the protection, and Katie let out a blood-curdling cry.

"Shit," Devonte said. They were still too high up to copter her down. "I'll have to carry you down."

"No, we're too high up," Katie said. She looked fearful. "I'll just be a burden."

"Ain't never lost a client, ain't never going to lose a client," Devonte said firmly. He picked her up. She was lighter than he expected. She felt good really, parka and jackets and all.

"Thank you," she said, burrowing her head into his neck."

"Don't thank me till we get down," Devonte replied, chuckling.