Ben flew into the clinic and Tyler slammed and locked the door behind them.
“You’ve found her.” Dr. Hika slapped the wheeled bed. “Put her down, as carefully as you can.”
Ben hated to let her go, but he did. “She was inside the old gardening shed at the edge of the jungle.”
“I know the one. The bush grew over it years ago.” The doctor checked her pupils and she flinched and cried out. “She’s waking. Get some ice chips from the corner freezer. I’ll get an IV hooked up. She’s badly dehydrated.”
Ben grabbed a plastic cup from the bench and scooped ice into it. He dribbled a chip over Saria’s lips. She sighed, opened her mouth and licked his fingers.
Cradling her head, he offered her more. “Open your eyes for me, Saria.”
Her lids fluttered and her beautiful brown eyes focused on him.
“Talk to me.” He had to hear her voice.
“Keep wetting her throat, Ben. Give her some time.” Dr. Hika inserted the IV into her wrist then fiddled with the bag hooked onto a pole until clear fluid dripped down. He peered into her eyes. “Saria, I’m giving you some nutrients as well as pain relief in the IV. If you can, tell me where you feel the most pain.”
“M-my back.” Her voice was raspy. “Something’s wrong. Infected.”
“I’ll take a look now.” To Ben, he said, “Roll her onto her good shoulder, the one without the grazes and make sure she can see you at all times. I don’t need her panicking.”
Smoothly, Ben rolled her.
Tyler cleared his throat. “I’ve just sent a message to Gilchrist and Kupita to let them know what’s happened, and copied it to Lydia and Brigs as well.” Tyler cupped Saria’s cheek. “Your sister is so worried about you.”
“M-miss her,” she garbled then grasped Ben’s arm. “S-sorry. Didn’t check. Forgot. Opened door.”
“It’s my fault. I should never have left you unguarded.” He kissed the top of her head. “I’ll never make that mistake again.” On his life, he wouldn’t. “Can you tell me anything about the man who took you?”
“Had hyena tattoo, like Kern and Ladd Hyena. A-after Lydia. Said Mia sent him.”
“That’s good.” He nodded at Tyler. “Pass the information along.”
“I’m onto it.” Tyler’s fingers flew over the keys as he sent another message.
The doctor buzzed around Saria. “The wound’s definitely infected. I’ll add antibiotics to your IV. How’s the pain? Is it lessening?”
She mumbled and her eyelids drooped.
“Saria, no.” Ben shot a look at the doctor. “Do I need to keep her awake?”
“I’m keeping an eye on her vitals. Let her sleep if she can.”
Ben stroked her matted hair as her breathing evened out.
The doctor re-bandaged her wound, washed her face and shoulder and applied a salve. He checked the IV and seemed satisfied. “It’ll be a long night, so feel free to pull up a chair or use the couch in my office if you need to rest.”
“Thanks. We will.”
The doctor gently rolled Saria onto her back and draped a sheet over her.
Ben sat next to her, his fingers firmly threaded through hers as he wished her right back to wakefulness. He pressed his lips to her ear. “If I’d lost you, I would have died. I need you, Saria, alive, and with me.”
His heart ached with how much he needed her.
Saria wriggled her trapped feet and tried to shove against whatever held her down.
“Stay still, baby. You’re free and you’re safe.”
“Ben?” She forced her eyes open then blinked at the harsh brightness of the overhead light. Everything spun then slowly settled. She was safe, back with Ben. “Are you real?” Her voice was crap.
“I’m here.”
Images assailed her, of a man with shaggy brown hair and a hyena tattoo. Dr. Hika had cared for her and Ben had fed her ice chips. Tyler had been here too. “Is Lydia okay?”
“Brigs is watching her, and she remains on the ship. Dr. Hika’s just stepped out, but he’ll be back in a minute or two.” His gaze searched hers. “How do you feel?”
She tried to sit up, but the pressure on her bladder made her groan. “I need to use the bathroom.”
“I’ll take you.” He grabbed the IV pole, wrapped one arm around her waist, and helped her slide off the bed and onto her feet.
“Is there any sign of the man who did this to me?” She leaned against the solid warmth of him, her fingers bunched in his cotton shirt and her forehead pressed against his chest. He crowded her, big and tall. No one could hurt her if he was here. He’d never let them.
“No, but we’ll find him. We have his image and soon we’ll have his exact ID. Come on. This way.” He aided her into the large rear bathroom. The overhead fan whirred and fluttered the coral-colored shower curtain.
“What time is it?” With no windows, she couldn’t tell.