Someone nudges our hands, and I look down to see Zeus gazing up at us. I can’t help laughing. Cole and I let go of each other, and I squat to Zeus’s level while taking his face in between my hands and allowing him to lick the side of my face.
“We didn’t forget you, you’re part of our family,” I say. Then Zeus burps, and I cringe away from his mouth. It smells like fish. “For that, I might just disown you, though.”
“How about we go downstairs and take a look around?” Cole suggests. He picks up his gun and focuses on the mission again. “If it’s clear of guards we should head back to the underground. As soon as we can.”
“Cole, before we go, I just want to say you’ve already redeemed yourself … I think you should know that.” He lifts his eyes to mine, and the pain that radiates through them takes me aback. “Whatever secret you’re keeping from me, you need to get it out, otherwise it’ll consume you … and us.”
His posture tightens, and his hand flexes at his side. “Soon … I promise, okay?” His shoulders slump as soon as he says it.
I wipe my hands on my pants and straighten my shoulders. He’s right, we should go, but I hate not knowing what’s eating him. If something happens to us, I don’t want anything left unsaid.
Cole traverses the steps lightly and slowly. Zeus scampers down behind him, and I bring up the rear. Cole turns around and raises his eyebrows at me, waiting on me to follow.
I take one last look at the wall where we told our stories. It’s in permanent ink—our commitment to each other and to the resistance. I can’t help wondering what Sutton would think about our small band of revolt members being in the Hole. Or how he’s holding up. Or if he’s okay. Then I feel the building shudder.
“Cole?”
“Yeah?”
“Did you feel that?”
“Feel what?” he asks half-heartedly, poking his head out the doorway.
“The walls; they’re shaking.” I hop down the last step and put my hand on the wall.
“Well, that’s never a good thing.” He leans out the door as he scans the alleyway. The air’s stagnant and heavy with moisture. Sweat pours off my forehead. “It’s clear,” he says. “Let’s go.”
I hear a sound like a thunderclap. “What is that?” I ask in a shaky voice.
Zeus barks, sprinting across the room toward Cole as our eyes meet in a moment of panic.
“Get down!” Cole says as he dives to the floor.
Dust and ash billow around us. I fall to my knees, covering my head with my arms, pressed against the wall. Crashing and banging echo all around. When I try to breathe, my lungs fill with particles and dust, making me cough. My body trembles, but I can’t move.
I brace myself as the walls come down around me. A slab of concrete lands next to my head, and I begin yelling. “Make it stop!”
The earth shakes beneath me, and I press my fists against my head. When it stops, I’m still squeezing my eyes shut. All I hear is the sound of my heartbeat thrashing in my ears.
“Lexi!” a voice yells.
I cough, twice, three times, and raise my head. A layer of gray ash covers everything. I pull my shirt up over my nose and try to breathe.
“Lexi, answer me,” Cole says with panic in his voice.
This time, I shake my head, and I hear him clearly.
“I’m here,” I say. “I’m all right.”
I cough again, wondering what the hell happened. Slabs of concrete encircle me like a cocoon. The wall I crowded against is still standing, miraculously. I thank my lucky stars Cole’s alive. We’re both alive.
“Where?” he asks in a panicked tone. “I don’t see you.”
“I’m … ” I don’t finish. Where am I? Trapped. “Against the back wall. I think.” When my eyes come into focus, I reach out and touch the concrete that surrounds me. My skin is clammy, and I clutch my throat. “Oh my God. Get me out, get me out … Cole, please get me out of here!” It feels like the walls are slowly moving closer to me and soon I’ll be a pancake. My heart pounds as a sharp pain shoots across my chest.
“Don’t worry; I’ll get to you,” he says.
“I’m going to have a heart attack.” I dig my nails into the back of my neck and clench my teeth so hard, I’m afraid they might break.
“No you’re not. Close your eyes and just keep talking to me.”
Zeus starts scratching away at the concrete that surrounds me. He whines and whimpers, and he moves all around. I hear him digging and breathing hard, trying to get to me through the pieces of cement floor.
“Zeus, good boy. Let’s find our girl,” Cole says, as Zeus continues to tear away the debris.
I retreat into the fetal position and cover my face with my hands. I swallow hard, only to gag on the dust ball that’s stuck in my throat. It’s an awful feeling. Gagging, gasping for air, and fighting the panic filling your lungs. I want to be brave. I want to be found. I don’t want to die.
“Okay, Lexi, you have to calm down,” Cole says. “I need you to help me out here. I know this is difficult for you, but try to think about me and not your fear.”