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Emergency crews needed two days to reach Nereus. Cho and Inksuuk had joined the ship via a thorneway, then Cho spent much of the remaining time worrying about Elsapi. Would they be too late to rescue her and her family?
The storm ravaged the continent, burying it under over three meters of ash in some places. By the time the ship landed at the winter grounds, there was no sign of anyone. They scoured the desolate landscape past the river where the Nuukimak fished during their winters.
Cho began to fear Elsapi and her family had never made it. Had the quinniq attacked them as well? Or had they suffered some other accident? Cho decided she’d hike all the way to back to the Nuukimak village if need be to find the girl.
Voices drifting up out of the ground drew Cho to a deep shaft.
“Anyone down there?” Cho asked, using the flashlight app on her wrist-comp to search for the bottom.
“Yes,” a raspy male voice answered. “We’re here. Help us!”
“I found someone!” She waved for help.
Everyone closed in around the hole.
“What is this?” Cho asked, hoping Elsapi was among those trapped below.
“A well,” Inksuuk explained. “Taps into drinking water for the winter once the river freezes over.”
Emergency personnel lowered ropes into the hole and instructed those down there to hook themselves in with straps. After a moment’s discussion, they pulled out a woman covered in dirt and grime. Elsapi’s mother.
“Is Elsapi with you?” Cho asked. “Is she okay?”
The woman nodded, her eyes dazed and tired. She needed support to stand.
Cho exhaled in relief.
A medic led the mother away for treatment. A few minutes later, Elsapi emerged from the hole wrapped in Tigua’s arms. The girl clung to her father and buried her head between his head and one shoulder.
“Do you or your child need medical attention?” another medic asked Tigua.
“Just tired and hungry,” Tigua answered.
“If you’ll follow me, we can provide food and do a precautionary health check.”
Instead, holding his daughter to his chest, Tigua moved toward Inksuuk.
“You made it.” Tigua smiled. “Where are the others?”
Inksuuk placed a hand on Tigua’s free shoulder. “We made it to Space City. It’s....” He hesitated a moment, seeming to search for words. “You’ll never believe what it’s like. But it’s safe, much better than this. Come with us.”
“We can’t travel,” Tigua said “The area’s too treacherous. We never would’ve made it if not for that cleft we found as boys.”
Inksuuk smiled. “Ahnai almost killed me for going down there.”
“My father as well,” Tigua responded.
“We aren’t traveling by sled,” Inksuuk said, gesturing to the ship. “They have other means of travel.”
Noticing it for the first time, Tigua gaped, his eyes widening. “In that?”
“It flies,” Inksuuk said.
“We should get inside,” the medic interrupted. “Get you checked out and leave.”
As they started for the ship, Tigua hesitated and turned back to Cho. “Thank you for coming back for my family. You saved us.”
Cho nodded, accepting the thanks, before turning her attention to the little girl.
“Hi, Elsapi. It’s me, Cho. Do you remember me?”
The little girl lowered her head to her father’s chest where she could see them. Her hair was matted, her face smudged, and her lips a little blue, but she smiled.
“We came to rescue you,” Cho said. “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
Elsapid nodded before burying her face back in her father’s chest.
“She’ll be fine, thanks to you,” Tigua said.
Cho teared up. Elsapi’s alive. She’ll be fine. She’ll have the chance to live her life and make her own choices, whatever those may be.