Roméo’s chin quivers, and he winces with every boom and crack. His hands fumble along the wall as Grace follows behind, hunching under the weight of her backpack. She ducks her head, keeping it low. Her eyes lift to mine, her expression sad and fearful. No, stay focused.
All I hear is the pop, pop, popping and the bang, bang, banging of rapid gunfire. I clench my gun with clammy hands as my backpack straps cut into my tense shoulders.
Cole quickly opens the main hatch as the hammering of the guns behind us grows louder. He wrenches the bolts open and slams the door outward. It bangs against the ground. A small cloud of dust shakes upward.
He turns toward us and waves us forward as moonlight creeps into the tunnel. I step out behind him, ready for anything, and sprint across the street. The others trail behind me, each one of them gently tapping the one in front to let them know they’re safe. I exhale with relief when everyone shows up in one piece. We sit in a position half-sheltered by darkness, across the street from the entrance. I smash my back against a wall as Zeus sits obediently beside me, twitching with a thirst for more action.
Bruno pulls a grenade from his belt. He glances at Cole, who nods.
“Man, if I throw this … we’re never getting back down there,” Bruno says.
“Toss it,” Cole says in a low voice.
If we can’t go back inside, then where’ll we go? And if we get the medical records, then what? I catch Roméo’s face and wonder if he’s thinking the same thing.
The firing ceases. But my head still thrums with the echo of bursting guns. I squint to see inside the dark entrance. The hatch has been pushed to the right by Cole. It’s gray and well camouflaged, tucked between two cement block buildings. A dark green metal awning of some sort connects them, sagging overhead. It’s a wonder it hasn’t collapsed yet. It casts just enough shadow over the entrance that most wouldn’t suspect its presence. Bruno stands outside the hatch, waiting with steady hands.
They should be approaching the narrow hallway leading into the wider berth of the tunnel. My finger tightens on the trigger of my gun. My breathing’s ragged, my vision focused. They must know they’re vulnerable, that, for once, we have the upper hand.
In a split second, Bruno pulls the tape off the spoon, slips the pin out, and throws it into the tunnel. I hear it tumble through the hallway. Voices echo into the street as they scream and scramble to get away.
“Cover!” Bruno shouts. His hulking form races across the street as we all dive for positions of safety. I yank Zeus against me, cowering against the building.
The grenade explodes. A puff of ash and smoke and dust spirals above the entrance. Bruno grabs another grenade and lobs that one in too.
The hatch is almost blown off, hanging by one hinge and punctured with little chunks of cement. Slowly, the metal awning hanging between both buildings drops down with a crash. The brittle edges of it slice into the ground. Anyone within a few block’s radius had to have heard that.
I hold my breath, waiting. Bruno jumps out from his position of cover and holds his gun at the ready. He approaches the hatch. He carefully lifts the sharp metal edge of the awning so he can peer inside. Thick, gray clouds of smoke billow out, and he waves Cole to come closer for a look.
Cole follows him, holding his gun tight to his shoulder, as Bruno steps down into the tunnel. Their bodies disappear. I grit my teeth. I feel so helpless, but I know if anyone’s going to get it done, it’ll be Bruno and Cole.
Gunshots split the humid, moonlit night. I jump to my feet, exposing myself, but not caring. Zeus barks, and we both sprint across the street.
Not Cole, please. Not anyone.
In the midst of the trailing smoke, I watch as Bruno and then Cole exit the tunnel. Paths of sweat form light streaks on their grimy faces. Relief washes over me, and my shoulders relax. They’re alive, uninjured. Cole’s eyes meet mine, but his posture doesn’t ease a bit. Even in the moonlight, I see his forearms flexing.
“All clear,” Bruno says.
“Who was that?” Roméo asks.
“Guards, an entire squad,” Cole says in a strained voice. “And there’ll be more.”
I turn around, and see Grace struggling under the heavy load she carries. I run to her and offer to help her off her knees, but she shrugs me off.
“Can I carry something for you?” I ask as I reach out my arm.
“No, dear,” she says too quickly. “I can do this, but thank you.”
That’s when I notice numerous people standing in the street. They come silently, and their eyes follow our every move. I swallow hard and put a sweaty hand on Zeus’s back. He seems as uneasy out here as he did underground. He won’t sit, and he woofs at every sound.
“Oh my,” Bill says. “Follow me.”
His voice sounds steady and sure. The way he carries himself stuns me, not what I’d expect after witnessing all the drinking he does on a daily basis.
“Lexi, stay within arm’s length,” Cole says. “I’ll shield you with my body if it comes to that.”
“They’re not going to shoot me.”