Avalanche!

by Frieda Wishinsky

  Alex closed his eyes.

  I’ll just rest for a few minutes, too. Only a few minutes. Maybe then …

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  “Alex! Alex! Can you hear me?”

  Alex opened his eyes. A young woman with flaming red hair was standing over him as she and a man lifted him onto a stretcher. As they carried him over the rutted, lumpy snow in his yard, a jolt of pain shot through him. Each bump made him wince. Everything ached. But help had arrived!

  “Thank you,” he muttered.

  “My name is Arlene. You don’t have to talk. You and your friends have been through a lot.”

  “Are they okay?”

  “Your friend Ben is on his way to the hospital. We moved him first. He needed the most attention.”

  “Will he …?”

  “His condition is very serious, but it looks like we got to him in time. Your friend Owen said you two dug Ben out. You may have saved his life.”

  “Where’s Owen?”

  “He’s on his way to the hospital, too. Both of you were asleep when we arrived.” Arlene grinned. “Avalanches are exhausting.”

  “You’re not kidding,” said Alex.

  “Just lie back and take it easy. It’s going to take us a while to transport you to the hospital. The roads are in bad shape. Debris, wires, trees and lots and lots of snow are blocking the road. This avalanche took the whole town by surprise.”

  “Do my parents know?”

  “They know you’re okay. The road coming in is closed, so they’re meeting us at the hospital. Go ahead, rest, Alex.” Alex closed his eyes. There was a warm blanket around him. He was still cold but he wasn’t shivering. He was so tired but he was safe. Ben was alive. He was breathing. And Owen was okay, too.

  * * *

  The next thing Alex knew he was in a bed in a pale green room.

  A nurse was standing beside him, checking his pulse. “My name is Nancy. How do you feel?”

  “Woozy. Tired. My wrist hurts like crazy.” He looked at his left wrist and noticed the cast.

  “You broke your wrist. That’s why they put it in a cast. You’re not left-handed, are you?”

  Alex shook his head. He looked down at the cast around his wrist. “I don’t remember anyone putting this on.”

  “You were dazed when they brought you in. Are you still dizzy and nauseous?”

  “A little, but not as bad as I was right after the avalanche.”

  “Can you sit up? I’ll help you.” The nurse leaned over and put her arm around Alex’s shoulders. She gently helped him sit up. “How’s that?”

  “Better.”

  “Maybe resting helped, although it’s hard to rest in a speeding ambulance with shrieking sirens. And it’s a bumpy ride.”

  “I don’t remember the ambulance. I don’t even remember arriving here. Where are my parents?”

  “They’ve been here the whole time. They just stepped out to make some calls. I finally convinced them to go out and stretch their legs. They were incredibly worried about you and your friends.”

  “Are my friends okay?”

  “Your friend Owen is next door resting. He was awake when they brought him in. He can tell you more about how he feels soon. Your friend Ben is being observed in the ICU. We’re observing you and Owen too, you know.”

  “I’m okay, except for my wrist and some bruises. Why do I need to be observed?”

  “You could have a concussion. We’ll keep you here overnight to check you out. Don’t worry. The food isn’t as bad as they say. How about some water?”

  “Thanks.” Alex gulped the water down. He hadn’t realized how thirsty he was. He handed the cup back to the nurse as his parents and Emma walked in.

  His mother and father rushed over to hug him. Emma took his hand and squeezed it.

  “We’re so relieved you’re okay,” said his mom. “What a nightmare.”

  “Yeah. It was scary,” said Alex. “The avalanche came out of nowhere.”

  “But you and your friends made it through,” said his dad. “That means everything.”

  “Did you see Ben?” asked Alex.

  “Not yet. His dad is with him in the ICU. The doctors are taking good care of him,” said his mom.

  “Will he be okay?”

  “They’re very hopeful,” said Alex’s dad.

  “Can I see him?”

  “You need to stay in bed and rest. The doctors want to be sure you don’t have a concussion.”

  “I’m better. Please, I want to see Ben. I’d feel a million times better if I saw him.”

  “Me, too.”

  Alex looked up. Owen, in a green hospital gown like the one Alex was wearing, was standing at his door.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “I asked my mom to find out about Ben but the doctors wouldn’t tell her much either,” said Owen. “Mom’s checking on Aunt Wendy and Uncle George.”

  “We’ll talk to Ben’s dad and let you boys know what we hear. Try not to worry,” said Alex’s mom rubbing his back. “How are your aunt and uncle, Owen?”

  “Not great. Uncle George is badly bruised and they said he has hypothermia from being out in the cold, so they’re keeping him warm. He was buried in the snow, but he had an air pocket near his face when the avalanche threw him near a broken board.”

  “And your aunt?”

  Owen’s lip quivered. His eyes suddenly filled with tears. He wiped them away and looked down at the floor. “Aunt Wendy wasn’t breathing when they found her. They revived her but she’s … she’s on … a breathing machine now. They don’t know if she’ll make it.”

  “Oh no. I’m so sorry, Owen.” said Alex’s mom. “Please tell your mother that we’re here to help in any way we can. Your uncle and aunt have been so kind to us.”

  “Your uncle always hurries over when we have any problem with the house,” said Alex’s dad. “And your aunt brought over a casserole the first night.”

  “And remember how she always makes extra meatballs and brings some for me ’cause I liked them so much when they invited us for dinner?” said Alex. “And she made us cupcakes just before … the avalanche.” Alex bit his lip. It hurt to think of Mrs. Henshaw.

  “Their house is destroyed,” said Owen. “We don’t know where they’re going to live. We don’t have room. We only have a small apartment in town.”

  Alex’s dad nodded. “I know. Our house is gone, too.”

  “Where are we going to live?” asked Emma.

  “For now we’ll stay at the resort. My manager has arranged everything.”

  “I’m glad that my real bed is back in Halifax,” said Emma. “But my toys and my books and the doll house Grandma bought me for my birthday are in our house here. And now …” Emma began to cry.

  Her mom hugged her. “We’ve lost a lot of stuff, Emma. But we have each other.”

  Emma wiped her eyes on a crumpled tissue from her pocket.

  “Look,” said Mr. Mason. “It’s dinner time. Let’s head down to the cafeteria and get something to eat. Do either of you want anything from the cafeteria? I know they’ll serve you dinner but we can grab you something, too.”

  “I’m not hungry,” said Alex.

  “Me neither, but thanks, Mr. Mason.”

  “Okay. We’ll be back soon.”

  As soon as Alex’s family walked out, Owen sat in the chair beside Alex’s bed.

  “I have an idea,” said Alex. “Let’s go to the ICU and find out about Ben before the nurse gets back to your room.”

  “They might not let us in. I bet they only let in family.”

  “But we’re Ben’s friends. That’s almost like family.” Alex slipped off the bed and stood up.

  “Okay,” said Owen. “Let’s go. But we both look weird in these green gowns. I have to keep tying mine so it doesn’t open in the back.”

  Alex tried tying his gown tighter but it was hard with a cast on his wrist.

  “Here. I’ll help you,” said Owen.

  “Than
ks.”

  Owen tightened Alex’s gown. “I can’t tell which side of these gowns is the front or the back. I asked the nurse and she said it didn’t matter.”

  “Both ways look dumb,” said Alex.

  “I know. Keep checking your gown. We’re going to get a lot of laughs if they’re open.”

  Alex smiled and took a step. Then he stopped.

  “Are you still dizzy?” asked Owen.

  “No. Just getting used to walking again. Come on, let’s find the ICU.”

  The boys peeked down the hall. There was only one nurse at the front desk. Her eyes were glued to her computer. She didn’t look up as they tiptoed down the hall to the elevators.

  “Which floor?” asked Owen.

  “I don’t know. Let’s ask this man.”

  A hospital orderly was pushing a patient in a wheelchair down the hall. “Which way to the ICU, please?” asked Alex.

  “One floor up,” said the orderly. “Unit C.”

  The elevator opened. The orderly rolled his patient inside and Alex and Owen joined them.

  Alex and Owen stepped out on the third floor.

  “This way,” said Alex pointing to a sign and an arrow.

  “Wait a minute. You need tightening again,” said Owen as they reached the double doors of the ICU.

  “Oops. They might not let us in if my gown is open.”

  “They might not let us in no matter what. Look.” Owen pointed at a button next to the doors. A sign above it read “Push to request admittance.”

  Alex pressed the button.

  “Yes?” said a nurse. “Can I help you?”

  “We’re here to see Ben Green. We’re his friends.”

  “I’m sorry. Mr. Green can’t have visitors except for immediate family.”

  “But we won’t bother him. We just want to see him for a minute. We want to know how he’s doing.”

  “Do you know his father? Why don’t you speak to him? He was just here.”

  “Where is he now?” asked Alex.

  “He stepped out for some fresh air.”

  “Can you tell Ben that his friends Alex and Owen were here to see him?”

  “I’ll see that he gets the message,” said the nurse.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “Where were you?” asked Alex’s mom. “We came back and you were gone. One fright a day is enough for me.”

  “Owen and I went to the ICU to see Ben,” said Alex.

  “They didn’t let you in, did they?” asked Alex’s dad.

  “No, and they wouldn’t tell us anything either. They said we had to ask Ben’s dad.”

  “We just saw him in the elevator. Ben’s conscious but his breathing is still shallow. He has a bad case of hypothermia and they’re keeping him warm. He also has frostbite and a broken ankle but they won’t operate on his ankle until he’s stable.”

  “But he’ll be okay, won’t he?” asked Alex.

  “He hasn’t spoken yet and they’re worried about the trauma to his brain. They’re monitoring him.”

  Alex bit his lip. He didn’t want to cry. Not in front of Owen, his parents or Emma. But the news about Ben wasn’t good. He could tell from the expression on his parents’ faces that they were worried about him, too.

  “You look much better,” said Alex’s mom.

  “I feel better. I want to go home. Well, home to the resort. Let’s ask the nurse if I can leave. Please.”

  As if on cue, Nurse Nancy marched in with a tray of food, medicine and a thermometer.

  “Did I hear something about my patient wanting to go home?” she asked.

  “Yes. I’m much better.”

  “You do look better but I’m afraid we’re going to have to keep you here overnight. If you continue to improve, we’ll kick you out by early afternoon tomorrow. Here’s a tray of food I put aside for you.”

  Alex lifted the metal cover on the tray. Mac and cheese, green beans and applesauce.

  “Is it any good?” he asked.

  “It’s gourmet.” Nurse Nancy’s eyes twinkled. “Well, maybe not gourmet. But it’s not bad for hospital food.”

  “I hate green beans,” said Alex.

  “And I won’t tell the chef if you don’t eat them. I’ll be back in twenty minutes to take your temperature. Make sure you’re still in bed, Alex. I hear you’ve been wandering around the hospital.”

  Alex’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”

  “Word gets around fast here. And I have my spies.” Nancy winked at Alex.

  “Are you Owen’s nurse, too?”

  Nancy laughed. “Yes. And Owen was late for his ice pack. He confessed that you two had been trying to break into the ICU to see your friend.”

  “We didn’t break in. We pushed the button and asked to visit him. But the nurse wouldn’t let us in.”

  “Well, I have some fast-breaking news about your friend in the ICU.”

  Alex’s heart began to pound. “What is it?”

  “Ahhh, here’s the man who can tell you himself.”

  Alex looked up. It was Ben’s dad.

  “Dave. What are you doing here?” asked Alex’s dad.

  “How’s Ben?” asked Alex.

  “Better! He just started talking a few minutes ago. He recognized me. He asked about you, Alex. The nurse told him you and Owen were trying to see him.”

  “That’s great news,” said Alex.

  “I wanted to come and thank you and Owen for digging him out. They tell me you saved his life.”

  Alex blushed.

  “It may be a while before Ben’s back to normal,” Ben’s dad continued. “He’s still a bit confused and he doesn’t remember what happened. He knows there was an avalanche but all he can remember is this mountain of snow coming at him.”

  “When will they move him out of the ICU?” asked Alex’s mom.

  “They want to monitor him further. He’s got bad frostbite on his left hand. He lost his gloves in the avalanche but we’re hoping he doesn’t lose … a finger.” A streak of pain crossed Ben’s father’s face. “But his breathing is better. The doctors think he’s going to be all right.”

  “That’s the best news ever!” said Alex.

  “I also came to ask you and your parents if you’d consider staying at our place until things settle down.”

  Alex’s eyes lit up. He looked at his parents.

  “That’s very kind, but we wouln’t want to impose,” said Alex’s mom.

  “Nonsense. I’d welcome the company. And I know that when Ben’s feeling better, he’ll need someone to help him build another snow fort.”

  The thought of building again with Ben made Alex smile.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  On Thursday morning Alex got ready to return to school. But it felt weird to be going back. His stomach churned like the first day of school in September.

  So much had changed. He’d had to rest at home after being released from the hospital on Sunday. He’d had nightmares every night about snow crashing through their house and burying them. Each time, his parents rushed in to find him sitting up in bed shivering. His mom, read to him until he finally fell asleep.

  For the last five days when he’d woken up, his first thoughts were of Ben. He’d been allowed to visit him in the hospital for the first time on Wednesday, but they’d only let him stay for ten minutes. Ben smiled when Alex walked in but he hadn’t said much. He was still weak. He was having surgery next week for his ankle. Alex promised he’d come every day to visit. That made Ben smile again.

  Alex and his parents had visited Mr. Henshaw in the hospital, too. Sadly, Mrs. Henshaw hadn’t made it. She was too weak to survive her injuries.

  Mr. Henshaw was getting better but he was having a hard time accepting that his wife was gone and that the house they’d lived in for thirty years was a pile of bricks, metal and wood. How could life change so fast?

  * * *

  “Have a good day,” said his dad, pulling up to the front of the school.

/>   Alex walked down the hall to his class. The bell was about to ring. As he neared his classroom, one of the kids shouted, “Hey, let me see that article!”

  “Wow. Our class is famous,” called another kid.

  “I’m glad an avalanche didn’t hit my house,” said a third.

  As soon as Alex walked into the room, he was surrounded.

  “Hey, Alex. Welcome back. How’s Ben?” asked Sophie.

  “He’s better,” said Alex.

  “Did you read the article?”

  The Glory Chronicle had run a front-page article about the avalanche on Monday. But a reporter had interviewed Alex and Owen on Tuesday for a longer feature article.

  “Not yet.”

  “Here.” Sophie thrust a copy of the day’s paper into his hand. “You’re big news!”

  Alex scanned the headline: The Avalanche That Shook Glory. Before he could read more, Mr. Moore walked in, the bell rang and the kids scurried to their seats.

  “Welcome back to class, Alex and Owen. We’re all relieved that you’re both on the road to a full recovery. I’ve also just spoken to Ben’s dad and I’m happy to report that Ben is on the mend, too. He had a rough time but he hopes to be back at school in a few weeks. We’ll have to open a lot of doors for him since he’ll be hobbling around on crutches.”

  “We can do that,” called out Sophie.

  “Great. I thought I’d start the day by reading the article in today’s Chronicle. Then we can talk about avalanches, why they happen and what you do in case you’re caught in one. We can also ask our new avalanche experts for their take on the subject.” Mr. Moore smiled at Alex and Owen.

  Then he began to read:

  No one can imagine that on a bright, sunny February day an avalanche will roar down a mountain, hit your home, your friends, your neighbours and you. That was the case for three Glory kids, Alex Mason, Ben Green and Owen Slater, who were happily building a snow fort Saturday afternoon. Everything was going well. The thick, slightly wet snow was just right for a fort. The sun was shining on Mount Ava, behind the Masons’ house. There wasn’t much wind.

  “It was a perfect day to build a snow fort,” recalls Alex. “Then we heard this terrible sound. When we looked up, we saw the avalanche coming straight for us.”