Category Five Read Online Free Page B

the muddy water.
    â€œOh God. Lauren, hang on!” Donovan couldn’t erase the image of his own mother’s hand as she slipped beneath the water for the last time. He’d been frozen, unable to help her—the same paralysis threatened to seize him at the sight of Lauren.
    â€œDonovan! Catch!” Ian yelled from the top of the hill. He threw down a wire cable from the Toyota’s bumper mounted winch.
    His trance broken by Ian’s words, Donovan released Lauren’s lifeless hand and was on his feet. The cable had tangled and onlycome halfway down the slope. Donovan scrambled up the treacherous hillside. Driven by the fear that he could already be too late, he dove for the heavy hook. His hand closed around the cold metal and he slid back down toward the car. Working as fast as he could, he urged himself to go even faster. Donovan looped the cable around the rear axle and secured the hook. His hand came away covered with a thick, reddish liquid. For an instant he feared it was blood, then recognized it as brake fluid.
    â€œPull!” Donovan screamed and gave Ian a thumbs up as he staggered away from the Mercedes. He tried to position himself to get to Lauren in a hurry when the car was clear of the water. The slack in the cable vanished. Donovan could hear metal begin to bend as pressure was put on the axle. He took heavy gulps of air. “Please hurry,” he whispered to himself. Donovan felt like every one of his nerve endings was on fire as the Mercedes started to budge. His muscles were taught, ready to spring into action. With agonizing slowness, the Mercedes began to inch up the hill.
    â€œFaster!” Donovan yelled, but he knew Ian was doing the best he could. As the car moved another foot, Donovan charged to the passenger side door. He reached in and found Lauren’s hand. He pressed his fingers into her wrist searching for a pulse…He found none. He held her tight as the powerful winch began to overpower the suction holding the car. Water began to pour from the seams as the winch pulled the vehicle to higher ground. Donovan held Lauren’s lifeless hand until he could finally begin to see her face; first her chin, then her blue lips, finally her nose and closed eyes.
    â€œStop!” Donovan yelled. Without hesitation, Donovan reached in and slid his fingers into her mouth. It felt free of debris. Crouched awkwardly on his knees, Donovan leaned in and put his mouth over hers and began forcing air into her lungs. With his powerful right hand, he pushed on her breastbone,urging her heart to beat. Her face was slack and gray. Donovan wasn’t religious, but he was cognizant of a barrage of prayers going skyward…pleading for God to let her live. Tears burned his eyes as he blew his life-giving air into her mouth. From his left he saw Ian’s hands reach in and grasp her wrist, checking for a pulse.
    â€œNothing yet,” he said, gravely. “Keep going man! Don’t stop.”
    Donovan focused on each breath. He willed her to open her eyes. He desperately wished there was a way to inject his life force into her. He held her head in his hands and fixed his gaze on her closed eyes.
    â€œLauren!” he shouted, not sure if he was more angry or afraid. “Stay with me Lauren. Don’t give up!” Donovan forced more air into her lungs. It was nothing at first, but he thought he felt her mouth quiver. He took a fresh breath and again put his mouth to hers, pushing his oxygen deep into her lungs.
    Lauren twisted her head and gagged. Brown water spewed out of her mouth and nose. She turned away and coughed, her breath coming in raspy gulps.
    Donovan felt his eyes fill with tears. He tried to support her head with his hands but she turned away. He didn’t think he’d ever been so happy to see her green eyes as when she finally opened them.
    â€œLauren. Can you hear me? Are you hurt?” Donovan could see her try to focus on him. He