Alive and Alone

by W. R. Benton

  Colonel Wilcox drove to the Wade house and knocked on the door. When Cathy opened it, he smiled and said, “I have some additional information.”

  “You’re smiling, so it must be good news then.” She replied as she motioned for him to enter.

  “Well, some of it is excellent and the rest is maybe bad, but it depends on your view.”

  Walking into the living room, Wilcox saw Marie sitting on the sofa watching television.

  “Have a seat and let me know what you’ve got,” Cathy said and felt her fear returning.

  “First, your David had a bit of a run with a Badger, which he lost. According to the P.J. on the ground, one of David's legs is scratched and clawed up a little. He also suffered a few bites. Overall he’s in good condition, but I’d suspect a little sore right now.”

  “What about rabies?”

  “According to the base conservation department, there are no documented cases of rabies in the area and never have been. We’ve kept records since the Second World War and not a thing has ever been recorded. That means our P.J. can most likely just treat him for puncture wounds and minor cuts and be done. Now, there is always the danger of infection, because badgers will eat almost anything and they’re dirty.

  “Frank, I’m a nurse, or did you forget?”

  “No, just reminding you is all.”

  “Now, was that the good or bad news?”

  “Bad, the good news is we’ll have a five hour window the day after tomorrow to go in and bring our men home.”

  Cathy jumped to here feat, screamed and then said, “Oh, thank you, Jesus!”

  Wilcox, a little embarrassed lowered his eyes.

  “And thank you and your men too Frank! I’m so happy right now!” Then she suddenly quieted, sat back down, and asked in a low voice, “Do you think it will really happen?”

  Shrugging, with his hands out, Wilcox replied, “Cathy, I’m going by what my weather boys told me and I have the general’s permission to launch the mission, so yes, I think it will really happen.”

  Marie asked, “What’s a badger?”

  “It’s a cocky little critter, not much bigger than my housecat, which thinks he’s the king of the woods. He’ll attack anything and I do mean anything. They’ve been seen attacking grizzlies, moose, and of course, humans. Small, but mean too. I think David can tell you all about them in a couple of days.”

  “I don’t think I ever want to see a real one!” Marie said and then laughed.

  “Your brother is okay, or Sergeant Banks would have reported otherwise. See, the P.J. has a lot of training in the medical field, so he’s fully capable of treating any one of us. David is almost as safe with Banks as he would be with a doctor.”

  At the mention of a doctor, Cathy broke into tears.

  “I’m sorry Cathy I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “Frank, it’s me, not you. I have to learn to accept the death of Jim and that will take time.”

  “Smile for me, please, because we’ll have Dave home soon and two days from now you’ll have dinner with your boy.”

  Lowering her head, Cathy replied, “I hope so, but this has been a real rollercoaster of a rescue.”

  “Some are like this, but very few. Usually we have the survivors out within 24 hours or so. It’s the weather that has been holding us up.”

  Giving him a weak smile, she said, “I know and I’m not blaming you for a single thing. I appreciate all you, the Air Force, Civil Air Patrol, and FFA have done for me and my family.”

  Standing, Colonel Wilcox said, “It’s our jobs, remember?”

  “That others may live, right?” Marie said, gave a thumb up, and then smiled.

  “The leg looks bad to me,” Vittles said from beside the fire. The night was very cold and Banks had told him it was fifty below zero.

  There came a loud popping sound outside the shelter and David asked, “What was that noise?”

  “Likely a limb just broke from the cold. If it gets too cold the moisture in tree limbs freeze and they can explode,” the old trapper said with a grin.

  “You’re not serious!” David said with a frown on his face. He suspected the old trapper was pulling his leg.

  “As serious as I can be. Things start to change in weather this cold. Right now, if we were out, any exposed flesh would freeze in under a minute.”

  Banks, speaking as he opened his medical bag said, “What he’s saying is true David. Weather like this is a real killer. Be thankful we have a fire, shelter and sleeping bags. If not, we’d have a rough night of it, with no promise it would be warmer in the morning.”

  “Why do you have a needle in your hand?”

  “Dave, your injury has an infection and I need to give you a shot of penicillin. Do you know if you’re allergic to any drugs or anything else?” Banks asked and then pushed the plunger just enough to rid the syringe of air.

  “Not that I know of and I’m sure dad would have said something about it if I did.”

  “Okay, I need for you to lower your pants and roll over on your belly.”

  “What! I’ll do no such thing.”

  Banks and Vittles laughed hard. After a few minutes, Banks said, “David, as cold as this medicine is I have to give it to you in your rear. Besides, that’s were a doctor would give it to you anyway. If we don’t treat this with antibiotics, you’ll only get worse.”

  “I’ll do it, but I don’t like it!” David said as he unbuckled his belt, unzipped his pants, and then rolled over.

  “Good and I’ll remember you don’t like this!” Banks replied and then grinned at the young man’s spunk.

  “Ooowww, that stings!”

  “Beats dying of infection, doesn’t it?”

  “Yea, but you didn’t say anything about it hurting.”

  “You can roll back over and pull your pants back up now. The sting is slight and knowing you’re a man, well, I didn’t see a need to warn you.”

  Redressing, David asked, “How long will the lump be in my rear?”

  “Until the medicine warms a little more and is absorbed by your body.”

  “I hope it’s soon, because my leg really hurts.”

  “I have another pain killer I can give you, but I won’t give it to you until later today. It can lead to addiction and I don’t like using it.”

  “I can survive until later, because my dad warned me about drugs.”

  “The use of drugs is fine, as long as they are not abused. Just follow your doctor’s orders and you’re safe enough, most of the time. The key to safe drug use is talking to your physician on a regular basis.”

  “Ya got some opiate based drugs?” Vittles asked.

  “Yep, codeine and it works for moderate to serious pain. I just don’t like using them if it can be avoided.”

  “From the look of his leg, it has to hurt ‘em some. I’m sure he won’t turn into a junky over the next few days. Although I did see drugs abused in Vietnam a few times.”

  Banks laughed and replied, “I’ll give him some near bed time to ease the pain so he can get some sleep tonight. And, we’re not in a war zone. Now, you and I have to go out into this storm and gather some more wood.”

  Two days later, Zee and his crew lifted off from Elmendorf with the ambient air temperature minus forty. The sky was a clear blue and the trees were covered in frost as the chopper moved toward the rescue point.

  Nearing the site Zee said, “As cold as it is, I want Williams to go down the hoist and help bring them up, if need be. Hopefully I can land and then bring them aboard.”

  Staff Sergeant Williams replied, “Copy, sir.”

  “With this weather like it is, make sure they’re bundled up good for the ride up if we have to use the wench.”

  “I got a beeper on guard.” Captain Baldwin said in a casual voice.

  “Radio on guard frequency, this is Save One, do you require assistance?” Zee asked after he keyed his microphone.

  “Roger that, this is Angel One and I need a
ride home.”

  “Angel One, we are ten mikes to from your location, over.”

  “Copy Save, I have you visual.”

  “I see a large yellow panel of some sort.”

  “We are fifty feet to the west of that marker. It’s the raft, so keep it in mind if you land.”

  “Understand you are fifty feet west of the marker. John, move your people from the shelter and position them to your east. Make it about a hundred meters from your camp.”

  “Will do, Save.”

  Turning, Banks called out, “Grab your coats and what gear you want to take home and let’s move!”

  Vittles and David were soon standing beside Banks as the chopper approached. Smiling, David asked, “What now?”

  “We need to move a hundred meters east and wait. Once the bird lands we can board.” Then speaking into the radio he asked, “Save One, are you sending a P.J. out?”

  “Affirmative on the P.J..”

  “Okay,” Banks added, “When the P.J. exits the aircraft we’ll go back with him one at a time. David, since you’re injured I want you to go first, then Vittles, and last will be me. Now, let’s move out a ways.”

  “Angel One, this is Save One, do you have smoke?”

  “Roger on the smoke. I am popping it now!” Banks pulled the lanyard on his MK-13 Mod-O flare and a thick orange smoke filled the air.

  “Why the smoke?” Vittles asked.

  “So the pilot can see wind direction and land into the wind.”

  “Cool,” David said, “That’s smart!”

  Banks laughed and watched the chopper as it lowered slowly toward the ground. He used both arms to signal the pilot from the air to the snow. It seemed to take it forever, but he knew it was because he was cold, tired and hungry.

  “Angel One, I’m on the ground. Willie will be out for you in a few seconds.”

  “Remember, we go back to the bird one at a time. I don’t need any confusion and here comes Willie right now,” Banks reminded the two survivors.

  The man approaching wore his dark visor down on his helmet and hunched over as he walked under the big rotating blades of the helicopter. When he neared he asked, “Can all of you walk?”

  Banks replied, “We’re fine Willy, but take Wade first, he’s been injured slightly.” Then extending his hand, he and Staff Sergeant “Willie” Williams shook hands.

  Within a few minutes, the survivors were loaded, strapped in, and the chopper was rising from the frozen tundra. When the aircraft had gained about a hundred feet of height, Williams handed each of them a hot cup of coffee. Smiling, he gave a thumb up and all three returned the sign quickly.

  In the cockpit, Zee was speaking to the command post, “Roger, we have the survivors and are returning to base.”

  As if in disbelief, the pilot heard Colonel Wilcox ask, “Understand you have all three, is that correct Save One?”

  “That’s a big Roger, colonel, all three, so I’d suggest you give this boys mom a call, sir!”

  “Well done, Save One, very well done.”

  “We’re coming home, Save One out.”

  CHAPTER 19

  THE AIRCRAFT made too much noise for any of them to speak without a headset, so the three survivors sat quietly with their eyes closed. All were cold, David was excited, Vittles was worried about the loss of his cabin, and Banks felt satisfied. He’d done what needed to be done and overall he found no fault in his actions. Every few minutes Williams would appear and see if they needed more coffee or anything else during the flight. While each was shivering, though wrapped in thick wool blankets, so David knew his body temperature was low and he was very likely dehydrated. Knowing this, he still drank cup after cup of the steaming hot coffee. Banks had warned him earlier not drink too much coffee, because the caffeine only made dehydration worse, but David was cold his hands shook.

  An hour after liftoff from the tundra, Williams appeared and said in almost a scream, “In five minutes we’ll land. Wait for my instructions before you leave the aircraft. Each of you will visit the hospital first. Nod if you understand me!”

  All nodded and then suddenly David felt fear gnawing at his stomach. He’d be facing his mother and now he had to tell her dad was dead. Oh, he was aware she knew, but it was something he had to tell her himself.

  The chopper stood still in the air for a minute or two and then slowly began to lower to the ground. From the window in the side door, David could see two ambulances and scores of people, including the press. He grew more concerned when he heard the aircraft touch ground. A few minutes later the engines began to give a different pitch, so he knew the aircraft engines were shut down.

  Hands reached in and helped the three to waiting ambulances as a military representative said, “The survivors are being taken to the hospital for routine medical evaluations. Following the evaluations, the United States Air Force will hold an official press conference in the medical facility.”

  Once in the ambulance, David was strapped to a gurney and the man beside him said, “I am Technical Sergeant Lopez and if you need anything during the short ride, let me know.”

  “I’m fine, but when will I see my mother?”

  “She was at the hospital the last time I saw her, with Colonel Wilcox. But, it might be an hour or so before she’s allowed to see you. The doctor wants to give you a good going over before you have any visitors.”

  Nodding, David closed his eyes and relaxed. He was finally home. Then he thought, Dad, I made it! I want you to know, I didn’t give up! I love you, dad!

  The medical technician saw the tears on David’s face, but never knew the reason.

  Two hours later, as he rested in a hospital bed, his mother entered the room with Colonel Wilcox. She ran to his bedside and held him closely, not saying a word. Finally, after about five minutes, David said, “Mom, look at me. I have something to say to you.”

  She broke her hug, looked into her son’s eyes as he said, “I was with dad when he died. He was a brave man, mom, and while in pain he kept telling me how to survive.”

  Cathy gave a cry of anguish, threw her arms around her son and said, “Let’s not talk about your father right now. I’m so thankful to have you home!”

  Seeing Colonel Wilcox, David said, “Thank you for bringing me home, sir.”

  The colonel extended his hand and said as they shook, “Welcome home David. We got to you as soon as we could.”

  “I know you did and Sergeant Banks deserves a medal for what he did for us.”

  “We’re well aware of the performance of Sergeant Banks and he’ll have his medal.”

  At that point, a flight surgeon entered the room and asked, “David, other than your badger marks you’re in great shape. I understand Sergeant Banks gave you some penicillin for the infection, so I’ll give you some pills to take at home. As far as I’m concerned, you can leave now, if you want.”

  His mom was still hugging him, so David said, “Mom, did you hear the doctor? I can go home now. Mom?”

  Smiling, the colonel said, “Give her a few more minutes David, she thought she’d lost both of you.”

  Kissing her on the forehead, David said, “I’m home now Mom and I love you.”

  A week after returning, David was the guest on a nationwide talk show. He was nervous and sat between his mother and sister.

  The director raised three fingers and then lowered them one at a time. Finally, he pointed at the show’s host.

  “Good morning, I’m George Burton and welcome to Your News This Morning. We have a special guest with us today, David Wade, who survived weeks in some of the roughest country in the world the frozen wilderness of Alaska. David is a young man who survived a bear attack, temperatures as low as minus fifty, and who walked miles over frozen tundra. Good morning David.”

  “Good morning.”

  “David, at any time during your situation did you ever feel like giving up?”

  “I felt like giving up every single day and it was hard, especially
after my dad died. I would have given up, but my father taught me determination when it came to survival. He called it the will to survive.

  “Why didn’t you give up, David?”

  “I promised my dad I’d live and it was a promise I had to keep. I called on God when I felt really low.” David said as his eyes watered and then added, “My father was a very special man and when he died he was more worried about me than himself. How many folks would be like that? Don’t you see, I had to live for my dad.”

  “He sounds like a very courageous man and you’re a lot like him, I might add.”

  Wiping his eyes, David replied, “I hope I’m one tenth the man my father was.”

  Marie was sitting quietly when the show’s host turned to her and asked, “Marie, how did you feel when you discovered your brother was alone and your father dead?”

  Marie blinked a few times and then said, “I don’t mean to be rude, but what kind of a dumb question is that? How do you think I felt? You remind me of a report I once saw on TV where a woman lost her whole family in a house fire. The reporter had the nerve to ask her, ‘How to you feel?’ Are all reporters stupid or just some of you?”

  Taken back by the sudden attack, the host blushed and quickly said, “Well, perhaps you took my question in a negative way. I meant would you explain your feelings for our viewers.”

  David and his mother exchanged grins, knowing little Marie had just put the major reporter in his place.

  “David and I are normal kids and that means we fight at times. I love my brother and I’m very proud of him. I respect him a great deal now, knowing he survived all alone on a mountain. Like anyone who loves another person, I was frightened he might die alone on some snowy clump of rock not knowing I loved him.”

  “Does that mean you’ll no longer fight?”

  Marie laughed and replied, “I suspect we’ll still fight at times, but not over little things like we once did. Didn’t you fight with your brothers and sisters?”