Streets rifted, houses demolished and thousands of lifeless bodies painted a scene so gray that they looked around out of pure protocol, until a surprise jumped out of nowhere.
The leader of the rescue team pointed to a peculiar mound of rubble topped by a daisy. It was totally striking because the flower contrasted with everything around it. So it was there, under the wreckage, that they found a semi-conscious girl with an long, oval face, almost transparent skin and hair as white as the flower's petals.
The rescuers named her Spring as she became the only survivor of that catastrophe in the valley.
Five years or so passed by , and Spring had become a strong and agile teen after training with those who saved her life. Even at such a young age, she was already telling the new team members about extraordinary feats for each mission assigned.
The more experienced ones constantly congratulated her, and already considered her to be an elite rescuer. However, so much praise did not soften her at all, and she was always looking to improve.
Like every summer, she entered the “Guardian Angel” cup, hoping to be the champion for the first time after four years on the podium.
Every type of emergency was simulated to test the rescuers' skills over the course of an entire week.
For Spring it was exciting not only because she felt she could finally be the champion, but also because the boy she liked would be watching her do it.
The final stage consisted of going down a hill as fast as possible and then passing through a zigzagging obstacle circuit of tires, monkey bars and, finally, a mud race.
Spring was Sydney's challenge. She was a few years older than the New Sun Valley girl, but just as quick and talented at getting out of harm's way.
Their gazes met several times before they got into position. There was a lot of tension between them. The steps of each one on the top of the hill seemed to want to intimidate the other and to cause any slightest mistake.
A satisfactory check of ropes, harnesses, belay devices and quickdrawers put an end to the waiting, and within seconds Spring and Sydney plunged into their final challenge with all their fellow rescuers chanting their names.
It looked like Spring was in the lead with consistent hand and leg movement, propelling her body like a pale arrow bound for victory.
Meanwhile, Sydney, with pained expressions on every bounce, looked somewhat exhausted from the previous phases and went down trying twice as hard to try to match Spring.
Things were looking very good for those who had bet on Spring, until for no apparent reason her rope snapped in half. Her body then descended, amidst screams of horror, faster than ever, and had it not been for the reflexes of the emergency team and a trampoline, the teenager's life would have ended immediately.
Still shocked, Spring was consoled by her mentors and peers alike. Some hugged her, others wiped away the tears that flowed like pearls from her reddened eyes.
On the other hand, Sydney got no such reception. In fact, as she approached where everyone was standing, she began to get hateful stares and muttered insults, which grew into a mob unexpectedly aggressive to Sydney.
“Stop, everyone, what do you think you're doing?” shouted Spring nonchalantly as she saw what was going on.
“She sure cut a piece of your rope before the competition,” said one.
“Yeah, she cheated to win,” added another.
Instantly, Sydney wanted to reply to them, but Spring once again talked first.
“Guys, she'd rather lose a hundred times, than hurt any of us. Where is the comradeship?” said Spring before going to hug an embarrassed Sydney.
The leaders of the rescue team finished calming everyone down and, hurrying to dinner, made sure everyone went to their tents. The Hudson River area was often visited by small wild cats at night and they didn't want any surprises.
As a sign of support, Spring invited Sydney to her tent to spend the evening together while they talked.
“...and after many years, my aunt, my mother's sister, wanted to confess to the boy at school that she always liked,” Spring confessed.
“And what happened next, did he turn her down?” asked Sydney anxiously.
“Just the day before the earthquake happened,” Sydney lamented. “I think you have to be braver to live a more fulfilling life,” she finished saying.
“Be brave, I'm sure he likes you too, Spring! There are many who make fun of your look, but I think you are unique both inside and outside. That captivates hearts,” Sydney commented.
The talk went on longer, and if it hadn't been for Spring accidentally seeing the clock out of the corner of her eye, they would have dawned telling more about the love affairs in their lives.
As naturally happens after so much takes place in a single day, the girls fell into a deep sleep that took them so far away from reality that they did not notice a catastrophe happening around them.
Not too late in the morning a heavy rainfall caused the Hudson River, already abundant, to overflow its banks and begin to wash away everything in its path.
Rescue leaders tried to save as many lives as possible, but the emergency was beyond their human capabilities. Despair and sadness flooded their souls even more knowing that the stricken Spring was nowhere in sight.
No one could understand what was happening. No one could believe there was such bad luck. But it did not last much longer.
“Look! This has to be a miracle,” exclaimed one of the rescuers pointing to the top of one of the small surrounding hills.
The fatalistic air quickly changed to shouts of jubilation as the leaders saw Spring and Sydney show signs of new life by helping one last comrade to make it to the top.
They calmed the waters further when the sound of helicopter propellers could be heard in the distance. The rescue leaders stared at each other as if wondering who had requested it, and no one knew it was Sydney until the next day when they were all safe in the town of Hudson.
“We thought the river swept you away, girls” one of the rescuers commented worriedly.
“No, when the river took us out of our tent, we knew the worst was coming, but we didn't flinch,” said Sydney.
“That's right, because we were so tired, we didn't have time to get all our gear off. That saved us,” explained Spring who then went on to tell everyone how they managed to climb the lowest hill in sight and some of their companions.
The Hudson rescue community had mixed feelings about what had happened, but not failing to recognize the heroism of both girls, they were presented with the “Guardian Angel” cup amidst an outpouring of applause and words of affection.
