Carmine (Rage MC: The Prospects #7)

Chapter Eleven.

Molly

W hen I awoke the next morning, Carmine had already gone back out. Tiredly, I headed for the showers and grabbed some pastries as I sought out Susan.

“Here. What do you make of these readings?” Susan asked, shoving some papers at me. Squinting, I peered at them and frowned.

“Is that the latest seismic activity?”

“Yes.”

“How did the flow’s speed react to them?”

“The increase was slight, then it slowed,” Susan reported.

“Interesting. In my opinion, the lava flow is slowing gradually, which means it must be close to emptying the excess,” I suggested.

“That’s what I thought. The seismic readings are also dropping.”

“Which means the waves aren’t getting the pushback they were before. What I’d love to understand is how long this was building for. We need more information. Because now it’s happened once, it will happen again,” I said.

“Agreed. I’ve already put a team together. We have them looking at other places that don’t have active volcanos and yet are showing signs similar to what we had here,” Susan replied.

“Do we have a working thesis, though?”

“Yes. Yours. We can use the patterns you found and apply them to other states until we create a proper programme. But if this is happening elsewhere, the quicker I get a team out there, the better,” Susan said.

“Oh.”

“You look overwhelmed, Molly. Don’t be. Once we finish up here, I’d love for you to come work with me at Eros and formulate a plan for how to track these anomalies.”

Emotionally, I choked up at being offered such a prestigious role.

Susan patted me awkwardly on the arm. “Molly, you earned this with your dedication and determination to prove something was wrong. You certainly stood your ground because you knew you were right. As I told you before, take the accolades you earned them.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. “Did we lose much of Rapid City last night?” I asked, uncomfortably changing the subject.

“The updated map is over there. Please do check it out,” Susan said and turned to Chief Howser, who called her.

I wandered over, needing some quiet time, and checked out the map. I winced as I saw how much it had absorbed. From the SD-44, it had finally slowed down at Lodge Street. But it had split and rolled down Canyon Lake Drive when it reached Canyon Lake. That meant there were two lava flows, and I wondered if that was the reason it had become slower.

The lava had flowed up side streets, and I glanced at the TV and saw burning images of houses. Yes, damage had been done. The map I was looking at showed that roads from Lakeview Drive to 7 th Avenue and Elmhurst drive were gone. The lava had flowed over and buried them. That entire section of Rapid City had now been evacuated.

Sadly, I shook my head at the level of destruction. It was shocking, but nothing I’d not seen before.

“You okay, Doc?” someone asked, and I looked up and saw a dirty Klutz.

“Hi!”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you. I worked the night shift. I’m heading for the showers, but noticed you here and thought I’d come over.”

“No, you’re fine. I was just thinking how lucky we were. There’s been no loss of life, although the damage to property is huge.”

Klutz looked uncomfortable.

“What did I miss?” I asked, concerned.

“Three hikers are missing, and they’d been in the area of the eruption. Search and rescue are out looking for them now,” Klutz replied.

My gut told me all I needed to know. “Carmine’s one of them that’s headed up into the Hills, isn’t he?”

“Yes,” Klutz admitted.

Slowly, I nodded. Okay. To enable Carmine to do his job, I needed to gather as much information as possible about the eruption. Then Carmine would come home safely.

“Molly, Carmine is trained to do this. He won’t risk himself or his team.”

“I understand. Go and shower, Klutz, I’m fine. Honestly,” I said with a forced smile.

Klutz reached out and squeezed my shoulder before lumbering away. I turned my mind to the data. Carmine needed me.

Carmine

The level of destruction was shocking. Even though we were keeping a wide berth of the lava flow, we saw the damage done to the plantation and animal life. Sadly, we’d put bullets in the heads of several badly burned animals to ease their suffering.

The heat was intense, and I was sweating buckets in my gear. We’d donned breathing apparatus a while ago when the air became thick with sulphur and lord knows what else. I can’t believe three fuckin’ idiots had headed up here to watch the ‘fireworks’, as they put it. Their friends had reported them missing this morning after dithering all night on whether to call someone or not.

That decision to delay may have cost the hikers their lives. While I believed they needed to learn a harsh lesson, I didn’t wish anyone dead.

“Break!” Gunner shouted and held his hand up. “Everyone, take a good drink to replace your fluids,” he ordered.

I didn’t disagree. We all carried enough bottles of water to last so we could take a few healthy mouthfuls.

“Ten minutes of rest,” Gunner called.

I sank back and dreamed of an ice-cold shower, which would be heaven. Idly, I wondered what Molly was up to.

She was out for the count when I woke this morning, and I hated leaving her. Nothing was better than curling up against my girl. Instead, I was out here chasing idiots who were convinced they knew more than those in charge.

“Gear up,” Gunner called.

Damn, that had been a fast ten minutes.

“Can you believe we’re out here, this close to a fuckin’ volcano, because of three assholes?” Savage asked, and I snorted.

“If it were me, I’d have left them,” I replied.

“Me too. But seriously, did none of them have a brain cell?”

“Clearly not. You can hear them whine now… ‘It’s a once in a life-time adventure, dude’. And off they trotted,” I said.

“Grace and the kids are at the command centre, and I’m missing time with my woman because of these fuckin’ dicks. I might have been getting me some loving instead of this shit,” Savage bitched.

Amused, I sent Savage an incredulous look. “Did I need to know that?”

“Bro, you’re missing out too,” Savage pointed out.

Damn if he wasn’t right. Savage laughed as I scowled.

“You finished complaining? At least you’ve got a woman,” Bobby Lucas said, slapping me around the head.

“Thought you were dating that woman. What’s her name, Donna, Dolores, Dana?” Savage replied.

“Dhalia, and we were till I found her checking out engagement rings and leaving wedding magazines about. Three fuckin’ months and the bitch expected to get a ring.” Bobby looked scandalised.

Highly amused now, I laughed at him. Bobby was thoroughly put out.

“Guess Dhalia wasn’t your one,” Lex said with a wicked grin.

“Not likely. The idiot only ever ate salad. I take a woman out for a meal, I want her to eat a proper meal. Not rabbit food,” Bobby growled out.

“Dude, I love taking Vivie out. She doesn’t give a fuck what people say. Vivie eats what she wants and enjoys every bite,” Lex agreed.

“Molly is the same, although she’s more difficult.”

“How come?” Lex asked.

“Her parents and school taught Molly to eat what was put in front of her. First time we went for a meal, I asked what she liked. Molly had no idea. Took a while for her to figure out some foods she enjoyed,” I replied.

“Jesus, they need a beat down. Who does that to a kid?” Bobby commented, wrinkling his nose in disgust.

“Yeah, whenever Molly eats, I’m making her consider whether she enjoys it or is eating for sustenance. It’s a battle,” I added.

“What a load of crap,” Savage growled out. “Grace was like that, just grateful to eat. But I’ve figured her and the girls out now.”

“There’s somebody out there for you, Bobby,” Lex said, clapping him on the shoulder.

“Yeah. I don’t want much. It would be great to have someone drama-free, unlike your old ladies. But you fuckers keep snapping them up as soon as they appear. How long was Molly around before you snatched her up?” Bobby asked me.

I laughed. “Actually, dude, Molly was here three years, and we all missed her. But the day I met her, I sensed Molly was mine.”

“Shit, you are telling me Molly was around for years? Carmine, respect to your mom and dad, but fuck off,” Bobby griped. It would have annoyed me, but I saw the wink he sent Lex.

“You’re old, man. Molly likes someone with stamina,” I teased, and Bobby stiffened with offence. The rest of us laughed.

“Hey, you got an age gap there? Molly looks younger than you,” Savage asked.

“Molly’s five years older, dude,” I replied.

“Wow, cougar!” Lex exclaimed, but I ignored him as the dog barked.

I turned to the handler. “Got something?”

“Tia’s picking up a scent,” he answered as he allowed the canine to lead the way. We followed, coming dangerously close to the still-flowing lava.

“Dude, take Tia back. We’ll look around the area. This is too dangerous for her here. We’ll meet at that broken rock and tree,” Gunner ordered the handler.

“Yeah. I’m getting Tia out of here,” the handler agreed.

“Anyone here? Search and Rescue, call out!” Gunner bellowed as we spread out.

The heat was intense, urging us to leave quickly.

We all started shouting and taking pauses. After a few minutes, I began to wonder if Tia had led us astray when Bobby yelled. We headed in his direction and found a guy lying curled up. He looked burned on his legs and was barely conscious.

“Are you here with friends?” Gunner asked as we gave him a drink.

“No. I was coming back and fell and hurt my ankle, I’ve been crawling to avoid the flow. It’s surreal I’m running from lava,” he gasped.

“Can you walk at all?” Gunner inquired, looking around. We’d need a stretcher to carry him out. The man shook his head.

Bobby pulled out the collapsible stretcher, and we quickly built it and rolled the guy onto it.

“We gotta get him a safe distance down. The choppers won’t fly this close. Even though there’s not a lot of volcanic ash, some has been noted,” Bobby stated.

“Tanner,” Gunner turned to the fireman, “and Lex, carry him back and get him airlifted to the hospital, and then go to the command centre. We’ll continue searching for the others.”

“Not a problem. We can return,” Tanner offered.

“No, I don’t want you two getting lost looking for us. I’d prefer you to go to the centre, and we can meet there,” Gunner replied.

They finally nodded, and we loaded the wounded guy up and watched them set off at a pace.

“Move to where we were. It’s far too hot here,” Gunner ordered.

“These guys could be anywhere,” Lex muttered after we’d taken a break.

“Yeah, but we gotta find them. They’re here somewhere,” Savage complained.

I understood how he felt. My own temper was being stretched by the heat.

We continued, calling out for them, and after several hours, Gunner called for a stop.

“What’s your opinion?” he asked Savage.

“If the fuckers are here, God knows. The dogs not alerted once and they might be miles away,” Savage replied.

“If we finish this grid off and call in. Then, we’ll need to consider where they might have headed. The assholes would have wanted a vantage point to see the fissure and lava flow,” I said.

“Where do you think they went, Carmine? You were present when it erupted,” Gunner inquired.

“They’re either up here or up Buzzards Roost Trailhead.”

“That’s my gut feeling too,” Savage agreed.

“Finish this grid and then reassess,” Gunner decided.

We walked for another hour, looking for any sign of life, and discovered nothing. The friends who’d reported them missing had claimed they’d come this way, but we’d not found anything.

“Wait,” Bobby said as we turned back.

We all stopped and listened.

“Tia’s not alerting,” the handler murmured.

“There!” Savage muttered, pointing north.

“That takes us very close to the lava. Are you sure?” the handler asked.

“Yeah, but stay here with Tia. It’s too dangerous up there,” Gunner ordered, nodding at the dog.

“Gunner, I’m not sure. There’s four of you left and three missing hikers,” the handler pointed out.

“We’ll carry them out if we have to. Wait while we check,” Gunner stated, and we moved forward.

After ten more minutes of searching, we found them. Two were unconscious, while one banged a travel mug against a rock, creating the noise Savage heard.

Gunner quickly assessed their injuries as the conscious man spoke.

“It was a laugh. We didn’t honestly anticipate finding lava here. Not really, despite what the reports said. When we heard the explosions, we thought it was a joke, like someone was mining. We literally ran into the lava stream. Graham stumbled and put his hand right in it. He’s been unconscious since. Mike and I grabbed him and ran, but Mike fell and hit his head. I couldn’t leave them, and then the lava came closer,” the guy rambled.

The idiot wasn’t wrong. Through the trees, I saw the lava moving at a crawl. It was far slower than when Molly and I had seen it yesterday. That shook me up a little. It felt like we’d been at this for days, but we hadn’t.

“He’s burned his lungs by the sound of his breathing,” Bobby muttered.

“Yeah, they all have, and Graham’s lost that hand,” Savage replied.

I’d caught a quick glance, and the mangled mess of burnt flesh and bone had twisted my stomach. Luckily, Gunner had wrapped it and hidden it from sight, or I might have emptied my stomach.

“These two can’t walk; they’re gonna need carrying out. The chatterbox isn’t going far, either. He’s got a broken ankle,” Gunner announced.

Crap, four of us and three wounded who couldn’t walk. I shrugged off my rucksack.

“I’ll take Mike,” I offered.

“Well, I don’t like Graham’s colour, I’ll take him,” Gunner replied.

“In that case, I’ve got the chatterbox.” Savage sighed.

“His name’s Dan,” Gunner said, and Savage nodded.

“I got your shit. Let’s go because that is far too close for my liking, and even with the breathing apparatus, I’m struggling,” Bobby admitted.

The three of us picked up the men in a fireman’s carry and followed Bobby back to the dog handler. Once there, Bobby radioed in to say we’d found them, and they were badly injured. We moved at a steady pace, not too fast because of injuring ourselves, but not too slow either. Finally, we reached a clearing, and a chopper came in to pick up the wounded.

“Think they’ll make it?” I asked Gunner.

Gunner’s expression was serious.

“Graham will lose the hand if they do. There was nothing salvageable. That means an amputation. Mike hasn’t regained consciousness. Carmine, he’s probably got severe brain trauma. Dan was in the best condition, but that ankle was a mess. The bone had completely snapped, and I didn’t even remove his boot. However, all three will experience lung burns to some extent. It depends how burnt they are after breathing in that hot air for over twenty-four hours,” Gunner said bluntly.

“Harsh lesson to pay for ignoring the shutdown,” Bobby commented, shaking his head.

“Fuckin’ hard. But despite that, there’ll be idiots who’ll always ignore advice,” Savage agreed.

I felt sad for them. A foolish decision had cost them dearly. I just hoped it didn’t take their lives. They hadn’t seemed much older than me, and that was shit. Cocky confidence had led them up the wrong path. No doubt they’d regret this forever. That was such a shame.

The boldness of youth, egged on by their friends, but nature wasn’t to be trifled with. Dan would have a limp, Graham had lost a hand and as for Mike, who knew? It brought home how fragile our lives were. I was lucky. I had been since Phoenix Michaelson left out a plate of food for a starving boy and gained his trust. My life had been blessed.

But my past had tempered the usual brashness we had in our late teens and twenties. I knew firsthand that there were dangers you couldn’t always see coming at you. What these idiots had done was something I would never do because I’d already learned patience, temperance, and self-control.

On the field, players often baited me, trying to get a rise out of me. That was fine, let them. Their words couldn’t touch me. After the insults I’d experienced on the streets, players were amateurs. But I winced as I wondered what would be waiting for me at my next game. No doubt some rival teams were cooking up some shit to say.

“Carmine?” Gunner asked softly, and I blinked.

“Yeah?”

“Where’d you go, son?”

“Thinking how lucky I am,” I replied.

Gunner shook his head. “Maybe at first, but something bothered you. Your face twisted, prospect.”

“You going to pull rank?” I questioned with a laugh.

“Yup. Uncle rank and brother rank. Spit it out,” Gunner retorted.

“Gunner, they might have been me. In different circumstances, I might have been that stupid, but I was grateful that my past had taught me restraint. Then, after I congratulated myself on being an adult, I realised that rival teams certainly had some ammo to throw at me on my next game,” I admitted.

Gunner laughed at my honesty and then frowned. “That can easily be resolved.”

I didn’t ask for the meaning behind that because I understood what Gunner meant.

“It’s fine, we always give insults. I just need to man up.”

“You know something, Carmine? We don’t often say shit like this, but I’m dead fuckin’ proud of the person you become. It would have been easy for you to have acted out and been an asshole. Instead, you all took the opportunities given to you and ran with them. Even more, you paid it forward at an early age.

“I hope my children turn out to be like you. You, Tye, Serenity, Harley, and Cody are the examples I hold up to my kids. Phoe did an excellent job of raising you five, and she’s so damn proud of you. We all are. I love you, kid, and that won’t ever change,” Gunner said and reached out to hug me.

I clung to my uncle for a while, thankful that I had crossed Phoe’s path. Mom was a special woman. Few would have done as she did. And Gunner was right. Rage wasn’t big on saying I love you, but they were fuckin’ huge on showing it.

Gunner slapped my shoulder.

“Love you too, Uncle Gunner,” I murmured, squeezed him once, and stepped back.

“Not sure when you became a man. It seemed to happen overnight, Carmine, but understand this, I’ll ride at your side anytime,” Gunner said and stamped off after Savage and Bobby.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. In an MC, that was the biggest compliment he could have given me. Fuck, I loved my life!