Q is for Quake



 

Jim’s senses were on high alert. He and Blair had been trailing the criminal for over an hour and now he was leading them through the rain soaked forest that he had called home since breaking out of prison.

Blair tried not to look over at the water on the other side of the rope handrails. The old rope handrails, on an old wooden bridge, a small, old wooden bridge over cold rushing water. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath to steady himself. But that was a little hard to do given the sway of said bridge.

When they were not quite halfway across, the Sentinel stopped, tilted his head and listened.

“Umm, Jim? Hey Big Guy, this isn’t the place or time to stop.” He hoped to convey his unease without sounding like a scared…a scared kid. After a moment of inactivity, Blair was curious as to what was going on. He was sure Jim wouldn’t purposefully keep him there unless it was important.

No answer, then a slow shake of his head. “It’s not him. Come on, Chief, let’s get going.”

Before they even had time to take one step, Blair felt a tremor causing the old bridge to rock even more than it already had been.

“Earthquake!” Blair grabbed hold of Jim’s arm as the tremor increased.

They started running back to the side they had just come from and had gotten about twenty feet when the bridge crashed down into the water and the tremor stopped. Out of breath and adrenaline coursing through their systems, they sat on the wet grass, contemplating their luck at reaching the river bank in time.

Jim put his arm around his partner and pulled him close. Blair heaved a deep sigh and melted into the embrace. He felt safe in the arms of his Sentinel. He stopped shaking as Jim kissed the top of his head.

"That was a little closer than I would have wished, but we made it.”

“Yes we did. Come on, Chief, let’s get out of here.” He stood, pulling Blair up with him. “We’ll need more help to get our escapee now.”

Blair was certainly very glad to hear those words. “Your wish is my command. Lead on before this expedition gets any more exciting. Like the aftershocks.”

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