This week I’m sharing a selection from “Return to Demeter” that was one of the funnest to write. Ryder and his friends kidnap the paralyzed class bully, Barry Hales, from the hospital, steal an ambulance and race to be picked up by the Pegasus to take Barry back to Demeter for medical treatment. It was a bit of slapstick and starts to show Ryder’s growing character. Enjoy
Ryder and Randy moved to the Emergency Room entrance and waited. Joel and Cynthia went into the hospital. Ryder was starting to get nervous, as they only had a short window of time before they would have to leave, but finally an ambulance came into the driveway, lights flashing, but no siren.
The EMTs quickly opened the doors to the back and began hauling a woman out on the fold down gurney. Bonita Flores was on the gurney and sounded like she was in pain, but she turned her head toward Ryder and winked before continuing her moaning. As the gurney wheels hit the pavement, Ryder texted the message, “Go, go, go!” to Cynthia.
Less than a minute later a nurse and medical assistant were rushing a patient out the emergency room door. “We have to transfer this patient to St Marks,” Cynthia yelled as they exited the building, “Medical emergency.”
Loading Barry into the back of the ambulance, Randy squealed the tires as they pulled out of the hospital entry.
“How long do you think we have?” Cynthia yelled up front to Ryder.
“It depends on how well you sold it,” Ryder returned. “Maybe five minutes if we’re lucky. Seven if we get a miracle.” Turning to Randy, “Have you figured out how to turn on that siren yet?”
“Where are you taking me,” Barry wheezed fearfully.
“Don’t worry, I’m not dumping you in a swamp,” Ryder gritted his teeth. “I’m just keeping my promise.”
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the airport. Debbie, and Becky were already on board and seated as planned. All the luggage had been stowed. Randy had cut the siren and lights when the bulletin came out over the radio. Fortunately, there were back roads that Randy knew of to get to the local airport.
“How much more time do you think we have?” Cynthia seemed close to panic.
“We have three or four minutes, if they low-jacked the ambulance, and I imagine they have. We better run.” Ryder commanded.
As the ambulance squealed to a stop with gravel flying, Joel quickly opened the back door, as Ryder and Randy jumped from the front of the vehicle.
“What are you doing?” Shad Ryder asked incredulously.
“Barry asked me to fix him. This is the only way I could think of to do it,” Ryder shot at his dad.
Elise Ryder put her hands over her face, trying to resist a giggle. They had included Elise as a necessary partner in their plot realizing the last hurdle could be the toughest.
“You’re kidnapping Barry Hales?” Shad Ryder continued.
“Conscripting him,” Ryder retorted.
“He has you there,” Elise laughed.
“Whatever. Get him on the Osiris or you’re all going to be busted.” Ryder’s dad said in an exasperated tone.
They could hear the sirens in the distance as they wheeled Barry’s gurney toward the ship. “Where are you taking me?”
“We’re taking you to fix you,” Ryder reiterated, as they moved him up the ramp.
With the lights of three police cars approaching, Captain Jonas White, retracted the ramp, while telling the passengers to buckle up. Lieutenant Baron helped put the restraints on Barry. “Up, up and away,” Captain White pronounced as the Osiris shot straight into the air.