FanFic: "Ground Fire" (Hawaii Five-0) - Chapter 6 of ??
H5O* H5O* H5O* H5O* H5O*
CHAPTER SIX
Still bolstering Danny's weight, Kono and Tortorro fell to their knees at the same time once they'd cleared the last rock-strewn field to reach what needed to be their final destination. Out of breath and wheezing, injuries which were bad had become much worse. It was nearly impossible to be quiet as they argued against their bruised bodies.
With every stumble, Danny accidentally pulled against him and Tortorro was fighting blinding pain across his ribcage. Constantly biting her lip and swallowing convulsively, Kono was nauseous from a now persistent dizziness. Danny was virtually limp between them and only managing a semblance of movement due to their continued assistance. He felt each struggling and he wanted to help more. He knew that he should, yet not a single portion of his body would listen.
Unable to feel his extremities, small cold shudders rippled uncontrollably through his muscles. Long, long minutes went by before he muzzily realized that they had all stopped moving.
"Kono?" They all desperately needed water. Exhausted and parched, Danny's mouth was refusing to cooperate as he strangled in each inhale. Her name came out as a moaned whisper followed by a few slurred syllables. "This .. it?"
"S'okay, Danny. Yeah." He felt her hand find his forehead to push back sweat-soaked hair. "Just hang in there. We're going to stay here."
"Hmm." He managed a relieved sound of sorts as his head bounced uselessly on his neck. They all needed to rest and recoup whatever energy reserves that they could manage. Unable to see more than vague outlines in the darkness, he finally permitted his eyes to fall blearily to the dirt just under his very nose. He was intent on staying alert as they readied themselves on the ledge, but that spot of dirt was the very last thing he saw before he lost consciousness.
Helplessly gagging from her concussive head wound and over-exertion, Kono sagged for a moment as Danny's weight fell completely into her. Unable to rest, she blinked back unwanted tears from her eyes as she fought to get her roiling stomach under control. Her injured right arm was the least of her own troubles once the sickening feeling had begun to take up a more permanent camp. To her left and on the opposite side of Danny, Al Totorro was not in any better shape. The only difference was that he felt no immediate need to vomit up his much earlier afternoon lunch. Looking away from the man, Kono sized up the ledge they had finally reached.
"Over there. Up against that far wall." She was relieved to see a heavy overhang that would protect them all from the elements. Shadows would protect for a time from prying eyes. Struggling to their feet, they worked together to finish the last few steps needed. Once she and Tortorro eased Danny down, the criminal collapsed in a heap but using two hands, Kono kept her weapon at the ready as she peered down the murky black hill.
"Maybe we lost them." Slumped to his side, Tortorro was tapped out, but far from stupid. "Maybe for a little while at least." He knew that they certainly hadn't lost their trackers for very long. The location was truly the best they could all do and it provided them at least with a chance of survival. With a resentful groan, he changed positions to sit where Kono indicated, far from Danny and herself but still protected.
"Maybe." Thumbing the space between her eyes, Kono measured Tortorro as he leaned his head back into the rocks and wearily closed his eyes. As with herself, he was drenched in sweat and still trying to gain control of shuddered breathing. His face was creased with pain and his wrists remained cuffed to lay listlessly in his lap. However, with Danny down, she needed the criminal at least awake and aware.
"No way. Keep alert. Open your eyes and tell me if you see anything moving down there." Kono roughly tapped Tortorro's leg with her foot as she edged past the man. She needed to check on Danny and couldn't do two things at once.
"I … I can't ..but." As his voice angrily rose in volume, Tortorro gestured meaningfully towards his face. He was almost blind without his eyeglasses and he genuinely had difficulty seeing.
"Try and keep it down." Glaring at him, Kono roughly toed his leg again. She understood his issue but didn't have the energy or wherewithal to deal with his excuses. "Just .. try. If something looks off or if you hear anything strange, tell me."
"Fine." With a rueful shake of his head, he did as he was told figuring he would likely be able to hear an out of place sound. He also could at least make out any odd shadowed movement.
There was almost no natural light left as clouds gathered overhead which made it difficult for Kono to thoroughly check Danny's wound. She did know that he'd been continually losing blood despite her best efforts. Unable to fully rouse him and getting no more than a resentful mumble at her prodding's, Kono was forced to keep his weapon for her own use.
"Damn it." She whispered. Restless under her hands, Danny's pulse was erratic and his skin clammy. With his system in shock, she was on the verge of helpless tears.
"How is he?" Glancing over to where she bent over the detective, Tortorro felt obligated to at least ask the question. The detective had powered through with their combined help, but Tortorro had felt the man's strength fading with each short step. In the gloom, he frowned when he saw her worriedly shake her head after checking the belted makeshift bandages. It indicated that the wound was problematic despite her attempt at caring for it.
"He'll be fine. He just needs to rest." Thankful for the darkness which concealed the shine to her eyes, Kono used her headache as an excuse to wipe her face. She ignored the strange sound Tortorro made deep in his throat. Angered by it, she refused to offer him more even when he almost courteously inquired about her own injuries. Instead, Kono turned away from Danny to study where they had come up from.
In truth, Kono's stomach was far from cooperative as she battled another round of strong nausea. Two hands were a pre-requisite in holding her weapon with any hope of accuracy. Slamming her left hand over her mouth, she gagged again around a curse. She wasn't going to be as successful this time though and with a sudden lurch, fell into a short spasm of dry heaves off to the side.
Unable to do anything, Tortorro watched the woman regain self-control only to then assume a defensive parallel position from where he sat. Without water and no supplies would definitely stress their ability to survive the long night. Slowly, he resumed his own job of surveying his stretch of the steep slope. Working together out of necessity, the two could only wait for what might unfold next.
~ to be continued ~
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