He clenched his jaw, teeth gritted against the pain, and forced himself to roll over. The blanket-wrapped creature lay just feet away, untouched. Whimpering softly. Raymond groaned, pushed to his knees, and crawled to it.
He pulled the bundle against his chest and rose, one foot at a time, his breath ragged. He staggered to the truck, opened the passenger door, and gently placed the creature on the seat. Then he climbed in behind the wheel, every muscle in his back screaming in protest.