Ross climbed out of the car. From the rubble, another figure stumbled out–Jason. But Danielle wasn’t at his side. In an instant, Ross’ face turned deadly cold. “Where is she?” Ross barked, stepping forward.

Jason stayed mute, too scared to answer. He’d left Danielle behind. He didn’t want to die.

Alex felt sick to his stomach. ‘Dr. Shelly’s still in that wreckage. She couldn’t be…’ he thought.

Just then, the aftershock that had lasted over ten minutes finally stopped.

“I asked where Danielle is,” Ross snapped again, his voice more furious than ever.

Seeing the shaking end, Jason swallowed hard, like he was weighing his options. “She’s buried under the rubble. I couldn’t get her out alone. Come help.”

Under the debris, Danielle was coated in dust, surrounded by total darkness. Her mind was fuzzy, but she knew Jason had bailed. Biting her lip, she was terrified and helpless, with no phone to call for help. She feared the stones above might collapse any second, crushing her to bits.

Jason led them to a pile of rubble. “Dr. Shelly’s down here.”

Ross didn’t say a word, stepping up to move the stones. He was afraid to call Danielle’s name, scared of getting no response.

Danielle faintly sensed someone above, her mind clearing a bit. “Ross, is that you?” she croaked.

He heard her. “It’s me,” he said.

Danielle felt like an eternity had passed, her eyes filled with tears, her voice quivering. “What took you so long?”

Jason stood quietly by. To him, Danielle had always been tough, but in front of Ross, she showed her soft side.

Ross’ heart broke at the sight. “Stay right there. Don’t move.”

Thankfully, they had enough hands. Five men worked together to shift the stones, and soon they were cleared one by one. The moment Ross saw Danielle under the rubble, he lunged forward, lifted the stone pinning her foot, and scooped her into his arms. His hands shook as he held her. “Thank God you’re alive.”

Danielle counted herself lucky. After all those stones came crashing down, she’d only hurt her foot–way luckier than those who didn’t make it. Wrapping her arms around Ross’ neck, she closed her eyes. “Ross, my foot is killing me.” Her voice was tiny. “I thought I’d never see you or Sheary again.”

“Shh. It’s okay now. You’re safe,” Ross said.

The terror that had consumed her melted away the second he was there.

Jason stood off to the side, his eyes filled with pent-up anger. He couldn’t penetrate the intimate bubble they’d formed–a picture of an utterly devoted couple.

I didn’t leave Danielle on purpose. If I’d stayed, I couldn’t have gotten help. Ross would have done the same. I ran to find rescuers, not because I gave up, Jason kept repeating this to himself, needing to believe it.

Feeling much better, he stepped between them. “Dr. Shelly, I’m so relieved you’re all right.”