“Jesus, here, how the fuck?”
“His parents gave him the property.”
Must be nice.
Nodding my head, I move away from the house.
“Where are we going?” Z asks, falling in line behind me.
“Think about it.” Turning, I look at him for a moment. “Far enough away from the house, but close enough where you can still monitor it.”
“Yeah,” he nods his head. “You search over there.” He motions to the left of the property. I keep my eyes scanning everywhere.
“Oh my God,” Tate mumbles through the comms.
“What?”
“I think you’re right. I just remembered him telling me about how the property had been a place his dad had plans for. He was one of those preppers.” She pauses. “He told me about an old bunker that was out there. I just never gave a shit enough about it to look.”
Rushing towards the back of the property, I stop as a hollow sound comes from where my foot lands. Taking two steps back and hearing it again.
Kneeling down, I swipe away the dirt, revealing a hatch. “I think I found it.” It comes out in a whisper as I pull the door, but it doesn’t budge. “Shit.”
“Coming.” Both say in my ear.
Looking around, trying to see if there’s anything that I can use.
“Yes,” whispering as my eyes land on the crowbar sitting to the side as if someone was trying to keep it concealed, but here for their own use.
Gripping the bar, I hope this is enough. Hooking the claw underneath the lip and using the leverage of the bar. It doesn’tbudge.
“Goddamnit,” I mutter as I push again, but still no give. Trying to hype myself up as I place my foot on the opposite end and step down with all my weight. The sound of the metal reluctantly moving against itself brings me relief. The rusted springs creak as it lifts. Reaching down and lifting it the rest of the way up.
There are ladder rungs on the wall leading down into the darkness. Pulling out my phone, I glance around. Hopefully, it’s as safe as it seems. Not bothering with the rungs, I jump down, landing hard and feeling a slight sting in my ankles but not letting it slow me down. The tunnel extends past where my light can see, but I keep moving.
“Eli!”Z shouts from the opening.
“Yeah, down here.”
“Wait for me.” Tate calls out in my ear.
I’m not waiting for either of them. I can’t take one second longer of her being held than she needs to be.
Almost 50 feet into the tunnel, my light shines on a door in front of me.
Please be here.
Time slows down as I move towards the door, surprised when the knob turns easily, opening up to reveal a room.
An empty room.
“Fuck!”shouting, covering my face with my hands.
How could she not fucking be here?
“What is it?”
“The room’s empty.” I whisper, feeling the water threatening to fall.
