Free Wildfire Run by Dee Garretson Page B

his side of the car scraped against the wall and he felt his body moving sideways through the air. His head smashed against Adam’s headrest, his legs flying up, and his foot hit Callie or Theo; he couldn’t tell which.
    Theo yelled, “Callie!” but Luke didn’t look back, because he saw an arm come up over the front of the car and he knew Colonel Donlin was falling beneath it. The air bags in the front seat burst open. Comet shot up and catapulted over him as the car jerked to a stop. Luke closed his eyes, trying to shut out the pain in his head. He heard sirens in the distance.
    â€œYou okay, Luke?” Grant asked. Adam was talking into his microphone to Sal.
    â€œYes,” Luke said, pushing himself back. “The colonel…he…”
    â€œI know,” Adam said. “Stay put.”
    Luke looked at Callie. Blood was pouring out of her nose as she lay against Theo, who was staring straight ahead, his head tipped to the side, a puzzled look on his face.
    â€œMy door is blocked,” Grant said. “I’ll have to come out your side, Adam.” He slid over and out the door.
    Adam was already out, opening Theo’s door. Luke heard a creaking sound above them, then a much louder grinding noise.
    â€œWatch—” Adam’s voice was cut off as part of the gatehouse roof came crashing down.

19
The Gatehouse
    Horrified, Luke saw a beam hit Grant’s shoulder. The agent collapsed under the weight, falling down out of Luke’s view. Adam had disappeared too.
    â€œLuke, are you okay? Can you climb out?” Somehow Isabelle was already partway in the car next to Theo. “Who is bleeding? There’s a lot of blood. Luke, are you okay?”
    â€œLet’s get out,” Luke said to Callie. “Isabelle, Adam and Grant need help.”
    â€œLuke, listen to me. Are you hurt? ”
    Isabelle’s voice reminded him of something Sal had drilled into him: “In an emergency, listen to the agents.”
    â€œI’m fine,” he said, trying to keep his voicecalm. “Callie’s nose is bleeding because I think my foot hit her. We’re all fine. Now help Adam and Grant…and the colonel. I saw him go down in front of the car.”
    â€œI will, but I’m going to help you first.” Isabelle took hold of Theo’s arm. “Come on out, Theo. Watch where you’re stepping. Callie, tip your head back and pinch your nose,” Isabelle ordered. “It will stop the bleeding.”
    â€œI lost my glasses,” Theo said. “I think I hit my head. I lost my glasses.”
    â€œI didn’t see what happened to Adam!” Luke said. “Where is he?”
    â€œLuke, listen to me. The faster you all get out of here, the faster I can help Adam.”
    â€œI lost my glasses,” Theo repeated.
    â€œCan you unbuckle your seat belt, Callie?” Isabelle asked. Callie didn’t move.
    Luke took a deep breath. He knew Isabelle would insist on getting them out first. “I’ll do it,” he said. Callie’s face was a mix of tears and blood. She kept wiping the tears from one eye, smearing more blood each time. He reached over her to undo the clasp.
    The electricity was out and the fallen beams were obscuring most of the remaining windowsof the three sides of the gatehouse still standing. He couldn’t see anything but flashes of green trees and hazy sky though them.
    â€œWe need to leave the building before anything else falls.” Isabelle took Callie’s arm and guided her away from the car, and then reached in for Luke.
    â€œI don’t need help,” Luke said. He climbed out, balancing on a pile of rubble, and saw Adam crumpled on the ground a few feet from the car.
    â€œNo!” Luke yelled, pushing his way around Isabelle and kneeling beside Adam.
    Isabelle knelt down beside him. “He’s breathing, Luke. I can see his chest moving. I think he got hit in the head