Sierra Sunrise - Chapter 24
Title: Sierra Sunrise
Author: the-boys-n-me
Pairing: Jack/Ennis (AU/AU)
Rating: PG
Word Count: 3477
Disclaimer: Annie Proulx owns the characters from BBM. I'm writing for fun, no money involved.
Summary: This is the sequel to Sierra with Ennis and Jack starting their new life together. This story follows them through their first summer working in and around Yosemite National Park. Things aren't always smooth, but they're determined to make it last. Some new characters join the story, and we'll also see some favorite (and maybe not so favorite) characters from before.
Feedback: Comments are welcome and helpful in many ways. I very much appreciate any and all comments I receive.
Notes: If you'd like to read or reread "Sierra," it can be found HERE and "Sierra Snapshots" are five one-shots taking place during their nine month separation between summers, and they can be found HERE
Thanks to Bethie bcatjr who is a great beta and purrson.
Chapter 1 , Chapter 2 , Chapter 3 , Chapter 4 , Chapter 5 , Chapter 6 , Chapter 7 , Chapter 8 , Chapter 9 , Chapter 10 , Chapter 11 , Chapter 12 , Chapter 13 ,
Chapter 14 , Chapter 15 , Chapter 16 , Chapter 17 , Chapter 18 , Chapter 19 ,
Chapter 20 , Chapter 21 , Chapter 22 , Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Ennis squinted and tried to focus on the blue thing hanging on the tree across from where he'd fallen into a heap. His tired, aching body felt as if he'd walked five miles, but he figured it hadn't been anywhere near that in the shape he was in, even considering how many times he'd rested along the way. How many times was it anyway? He'd lost track.
With each step, everything had looked the same....up until now....that strange blue thing that fluttered now and then when the breeze caught it. He watched and wondered if it was a bird of some kind....but, no, it wasn't a bird, it was too small and not the right shape. For some reason that struck him as funny, and he found himself chuckling. If he wanted to know if it was a bird, all he had to do was get up off his ass and take a better look.
He moved into a position where he could get to his feet with as little pain as possible. His legs felt achy and wobbly, and he wondered if he could even stand, much less walk, but he managed to struggle to his feet. At least his head didn't throb anymore, or maybe he didn't notice it as much because of the rest of his complaints. With painfully slow steps and his eyes fixed on the tree, he moved over to the blue object. When he got closer, he realized that it was a piece of paper....a stupid piece of trash blown in. If it had at least been a bird, maybe he could have killed it and ate it.
Yeah, right, a raw bird would taste real good, wouldn't it?
Well, it would taste better than what he had, which was nothing. No food, no water....and judging from the sun, it was well past noon, so another night spent in this miserable forest was on his agenda. He stared at the blue paper, and then he looked into the sky....the bright blue sky. He focused on the sun and realized that it seemed brighter than usual, as if the maze of branches had thinned out, allowing more rays to shine down, and for him to see more blue.
When a gust of wind swirled around the tree, the blue paper flapped rapidly as if waving to him, demanding attention. Looking closer, he reached out to touch it, and something seemed familiar. It wasn't just a piece of trash....it was tied on the tree on purpose.
Shit, this tree is one that's marked for removal....Jack and his team were right here marking trees.
Could that mean civilization wasn’t far off? Was there a trail nearby? This shred of hope fueled the fire within him, giving him the strength to begin walking again and using the energy he had left to try to figure out what this meant....a marked tree, less dense forest....he must have finally gone in the right direction. A short distance farther he came upon another marked tree. The blue tag might as well have been a work of art as beautiful as it looked to him.
This has to mean something. I must be headed in the direction that'll get me the hell out of this place.
He stopped to contemplate his next move. If he wasn't careful, he could end up going the wrong way and find himself back in the deep, dense forest again. That thought scared him shitless, so much so that he stood frozen for a time trying to figure out what to do.
He became aware that he'd been staring at the second marked pine tree. It had grown crookedly and had seen better days, obviously the reason it had been marked for removal. Craning his neck upwards trying to judge the height of the mostly bare branches, he wondered what he might see if he could manage to climb up. He'd have a clear view due to the sparse amount of needles if he could only make it up there....but what about the limbs? Were they too brittle to hold his weight? The bark certainly looked brittle, and some of it had fallen to the ground around the trunk.
He decided to see if the lower branches would hold his weight. In his weakened state it would be a challenge, and the last thing his sore ribs needed was to be jarred by a fall. The trunk wasn't exactly straight, which worked in his favor, otherwise it would have been impossible to reach even the first set of limbs. He put his foot on the misshapen trunk and tried not to groan as he stretched up to grab the lowest limb to hoist himself up.
Steadying himself on the trunk, and using the bristly limb for support, he sucked in breath and tried to ignore the excruciating pain in his side. His hands would have benefited from his gloves, but they were long gone, lost somewhere out in the forest.
So far, so good, but he hadn't yet tried to stand on one of the dead limbs. He examined the soundness by pulling on one. It felt firm and didn't even creak, but actually climbing onto it with all his weight would be the real test of its strength.
Startled by a screech in the tree next to him, he looked to see a feisty squirrel that seemed to think of him as a threat to the food supply. Well, standing there thinking about climbing wasn't getting him to where he needed to be, so he took his attention away from the squirrel and reached for the next branch that would take him higher. Grabbing it and using his feet to walk himself up the flaking trunk, he hollered a few choice cuss words, partly because of the pain, and partly to help give him strength. Anything to get up higher, and it worked....he stood on the branch and it held his weight. If the rest of the branches were as stable, he might be able to see something when he got high enough. His resolve to get up that tree to find out if he could see where the hell he was grew stronger with each level he attained. He'd get high enough to see above the trees if it killed him.
When he'd made it about half way up he heard a strange sound. At first he thought the wind had come up and rustled the pines, or that it must be some kind of bird, but when realization hit him, his heart skipped a beat. The unmistakable noise of a helicopter....he listened closer and looked into the sky. Where was it? Was he imagining it? But it soon came into view, and seeing was believing. But, dammit to hell, he was half way up a tree with no way to get down quickly. The helicopter pilot couldn't see him with the other pines all around him. He tried to wave his arms anyway, but the chopper flew on. "Fuck!" he shouted aloud. He told himself that even if he'd been on the ground it probably wouldn't have helped anyway, but he felt so helpless standing in a tree while help had been so close.
He dragged himself up another level. Exhaustion and disappointment had zapped what little strength he had to begin with, and it seemed like slow motion to make it to yet another branch, and another, until he could finally see out above the bushy pines. He scanned the area - it was mostly trees, trees, and more trees. His eyes felt dry and blurry, so he closed them for several seconds, hoping that when he opened them again he'd have more clarity. He tightened his grip on the tree branch when he began getting dizzy. Opening his eyes helped him get his bearings again. He figured that closing his eyes at a hundred feet off the ground wasn't a good idea.
He checked out the view again, and this time, in the distance, he clearly saw a cut through the trees. What was it? It looked larger than a simple trail....a road maybe? No, it couldn't be a road....and then it dawned on him....it must be the railroad tracks. It was hard to tell how far it was, but his best guess was a mile. He thought back to the horseback ride that had started him on this downward spiral. He recalled Hank saying that the train ride was four miles long. He wondered which part of the railroad this was....how much farther to get to civilization?
First things first. Number one was making it down out of the tree, and that was no small order, even though he'd be climbing down at an angle due to the lean of the tree. If he could manage to get down without falling, then make the walk to the tracks and follow them, how far he didn't know, he could see a light at the end of the tunnel. He refused to give up.
The trip down the tree took considerably longer than the climb up. There were times when he barely kept hold of the branches. Nicks and scratches marked his hands and arms by the time he stepped to the ground from the distorted trunk. His shirt, fit for the rag bin, sported rips and tatters. He didn't have an ounce of strength left, and he couldn't even feel triumphant that he'd made it down in one piece and had spotted a possible way out.
He collapsed in a heap under the gnarly skeleton of the pine tree. Before passing out, he heard a low nasal whine, and through his haze, caught a glimpse of black wings gliding above - a lone turkey vulture preparing to land on the claw-like branches above.
**********
Jack couldn't bear the thought of leaving the base station and going home without having found Ennis. Leaving him out there for a third night was almost more than he could face. He hadn't wanted to quit searching, but Don had convinced him that they simply had to stop for the night. Don looked exhausted and distraught, so Jack didn't balk when he insisted they return, but he sure didn't want to admit defeat.
Seeing Dorothy sitting there looking frightened and tense when they dragged themselves in from searching, made it all the harder to resign himself to the fact they had not found Ennis, and they were going home. He could see that Dorothy needed rest, not out in the wilderness on a chair, but back at the house. They'd come in separate vehicles though, so he seriously considered telling them to go on ahead, but like Don had said, what could he do at night?
He looked around for K.E. and didn't see the jerk, but it wasn't long before he appeared with Phyllis and Doug. Jack leaned close to Don to whisper, "Guess he felt well enough to go back out." He motioned with his head toward Ennis' brother.
"He's trying," Don said tiredly.
Phyllis headed over, and her long face did nothing for Jack's somber mood, but he knew she couldn't help it. Hell, every last person there wanted nothing more than for Ennis to be found safe, and it just wasn't happening.
Phyllis hugged him. "We'll see you tomorrow bright and early."
"Thanks for everything," Jack managed to get out.
The last thing she said before leaving surprised him. "K.E. seems like a nice enough guy underneath his rough exterior."
He wondered what she'd seen in him to make her say such a thing, but he was too worn out and in such deep despair, that he didn't think on it much. He felt like screaming toward the mountains and falling down on the dirt crying. If it would help, he would do it. He sat down by Don and Dorothy....they were like Ennis' parents....they were going through hell along with him, and he had to try to be strong for them. Ennis would want that.
It surprised him to see Pete on his way over. He stood up with effort to greet him. "Hi, Pete."
"Jack....I've been out searching with another fella from work. Sorry to say we didn't see any sign of him."
"Thanks for trying," Jack said, trying hard not to let his voice quaver.
"I'm heading home, but I'll try to come back tomorrow sometime."
"Thanks."
He watched Pete leave, and only then did he realize that he hadn't asked if he'd met Don and Dorothy. He sat back down, dreading what he knew was coming....Don was sure to say they should go home....and he just didn't want to leave. He wondered if Gavin and Brian had already gone. No one in their right mind would stay in the dark. It wasn't long before his question about their whereabouts was answered when they came dragging in, obviously having no luck either. K.E. still sat across the clearing and hadn't made any moves to come over, which suited him just fine.
"Hey," Gavin said.
He stood up and Gavin gave him a semi-embrace. "Sorry....we didn't find anything," Gavin said in a subdued tone.
He couldn't answer, and he was glad when Don stood up to have a few words with Gavin. He heard him mention the Visitor Center and realized that Don and Gavin probably needed to get back soon. After all, they had jobs, and the Visitor Center didn't run itself. The thought of them leaving caused a sudden overwhelming fear to wash over him, but he tried not to get worked up over it.
Brian stood silent a few steps away looking worried sick. When he wasn't standing around looking like a nervous wreck, he was staring at Gavin with a stupid expression on his face. At least he wasn't chewing bubble gum at the moment. If circumstances were different....if Ennis was there they'd probably share a good laugh about Brian's lovesick look, but with his lover and partner missing and facing another night of uncertainty, he just couldn't take it.
"Anyone need something to drink?" Brian asked.
"We're gonna head home soon," Don started, but he seemed to think again and said, "Well, maybe a can of soda if there's any left. What do you want, Dorothy?"
"Some water would be nice," she answered.
"Anything for you, Jack?" Brian asked.
"No thanks."
He noticed Don's look of concern when Brian and Gavin headed to the cooler near where K.E. sat. Jack watched to see what might happen, but to his, and he was sure everyone's relief, things remained calm. He just didn't think he could take any more turmoil right now.
"I'm gonna take a little walk," Jack said.
"A walk?" Don asked.
"Don't worry, I'm not going far."
"It'll be dark soon," Don reminded him, as if he wasn't fully aware.
That was the problem....the reason he needed some time alone....Ennis would spend another night out in the forest, and he was worried sick and needed to try to pull himself together.
"I'll just be over by the train," Jack said.
He walked the forty paces to the locomotive and stood in the shadows, leaning against the engine and gazing out toward the forest. He wished he could stop time and keep dusk from fading into darkness. Feeling heartsick, he didn't know how to go on. The thought of driving back home....his and Ennis' home....was overwhelmingly depressing, but he knew he had no choice, and he had to think of Don and Dorothy too.
Tears streamed down his face, and he couldn't even find the strength to wipe them away. Life was a bitch.
After a few minutes, he turned his head to look over toward the canopy, and it was hard to make out the people sitting there. He thought he could still see K.E. sitting by himself near where Adam and a few others were still hanging around. He couldn't bring himself to join his group just yet, and he fixed his gaze back toward the forest.
If only I could find you, Ennis....if only you could find me....
All of a sudden he detected movement straight ahead. His first thought was a deer, and he strained his eyes to try to see it again. At first he saw nothing more, so he began to think he'd imagined it....until he saw it again. He stayed as still as a statue listening and watching....something....or someone staggered in the dim light. Jack stood up straight and took a couple steps toward the form. He heard a definite moan. The hair on his neck stood up. Was it a human or an animal?
My God, could it be Ennis?
Not the least bit concerned with his safety, he raced toward it. Whatever it was swayed unsteadily, falling to the ground. That's when he could tell that it was a person, and it had to be Ennis. Jack scrambled to where he had ended up, sprawled in the dirt.
He knelt next to him and leaned in. "Ennis....Ennis....can you hear me?" He rubbed his fingers across Ennis' dirty face.
"It's Ennis!" he shouted toward the rescue workers. "Help me....it's Ennis!"
Within seconds people swarmed onto the scene. "Make room for the paramedics," Adam directed.
He didn't want to let go of Ennis. Don and Gavin had to pull him away. "Let them do their job," Don said.
"He found his way out of the forest," Brian said.
"He sure did," Dorothy said. She wrung her hands while watching the scene unfold.
Jack gasped for air. He wanted to know how Ennis was....if he'd be okay. "Is he conscious?" he asked urgently, hoping for an answer, but the rescue workers were intent on tending to Ennis.
After a few more seconds, he heard the voice of the paramedic in charge. "He's coming to."
Adam was assisting by applying cold compresses while a paramedic checked vital signs. A couple of other men had brought a stretcher and placed it down next to them.
Jack cut through the crowd of rescue workers and knelt by Ennis' side again as he came to. "I'm here, Ennis," he said, reaching for his arm, rubbing it so he'd know he was there.
"I need to start an IV," the second paramedic said.
"Give him some room to work, Jack, otherwise you'll have to move out of the way," Adam said.
"We can work around him," the head paramedic said.
"Jack," Ennis groaned.
"I'm right here. Don and Dorothy are too. We're all here for you," Jack said. He took Ennis' hand in his.
While the paramedic worked on inserting the IV, Jack eventually remembered to look for K.E., and there he was with everyone else, watching the scene in front of him. No doubt he'd seen every detail of what had passed between Jack and his brother. He searched K.E.'s face, but he couldn't tell what thoughts were hidden in his mind. He looked shell-shocked.
Jack stayed right by Ennis' side as they moved him onto the stretcher. "We're taking him to the Community Medical Center in Oakhurst. You can follow in your cars," the head paramedic said.
"It'll take some time to get him strapped onto the stretcher and taken down to the parking lot," the second paramedic added.
Ennis groaned, and Jack could barely make out his voice. "Am I really back?" he asked.
"You're really back," Jack said, squeezing his hand.
Jack was more than grateful that no one else had attempted to crowd in around Ennis. The rescuers were very considerate to allow him the space to stay, and he didn't want to mess that up. That thought had barely passed through his mind when all of a sudden Brian was on his knees right next to them. "Cody's fine, don't you worry," he said to Ennis.
Ennis said something incoherent, and Jack didn't think he really understood what Brian said. Talking about a horse now just wasn't right. If Ennis was of a mind to know exactly what was going on, he'd have asked about Fred, and he hadn't. Jack couldn't help but glare at Brian. Gavin must have noticed, because he stepped forward and tugged on Brian's arm to get him to leave. Jack was sure that Don and Dorothy would like to say something to Ennis, but they had enough sense to stay back. There'd be time for talking later on.
Somewhere in the commotion, he heard Don ask the head paramedic if Ennis would be okay. He tried to hear the answer, but he only caught a few words....something about getting him stable. Ennis looked like he'd been through hell, but once he got rested up and rehydrated, surely all would be fine.
His prayers had been answered, Ennis had come back.
TBC
today
yesterday