“Shit,” Tate whispers, I’m sure not meaning for it to be picked up by the comms.
“We’re gonna find her.” Z says, trying to reassure me, even through the hesitation in his voice.
Taking the comms out of my ear, I fall backward against the wall, forcing down my emotions because if I let them float to the surface, I won’t be able to contain myself.
A muted ting grabs my attention as I look to my left. Taking a couple of steps closer before hearing it again. Pushing the comms back into my ear.
“Wait,” I whisper to them. “I hear something.”
“Wait for us,” Z calls out as I imagine he’s making his way down the rungs.
Ignoring his suggestion, I pan the light in the direction, seeing another door as I exhale.
Twisting the knob, but it doesn’t budge. Realizing the door’s pulling against the latch and lock dangling just below my face.
Stepping back, crossing my right hand holding the gun over top of my left, bracing my wrists together for stability.
Firing, the lock breaks in two; the bottom half falls to the ground.
Lifting the hook from the latch, I push the door open again, and feel relief washing over me when it slides from the frame.
Still with my wrists bracing against one another, I enter the room. My light lands on her face as she stands next to a metal pipe with a chain in her hand.
“Sketch.” It comes out in a gasp as I rush across the room, pulling the comms from my ear and shoving it into my pocket.
“Eli!”she cries out as her arms wrap around me, and I’m pulling her close.
“Thank God!” whispering, placing a kiss in her hair.
It’s so dark in here, I can’t see anything; I can’t even see her as she’s pressed into my body.
“I didn’t think you’d be able to —”
“Shh,” I whisper as I smooth her hair. “I’m here now. I’ve got you; you’re safe.”
“I love you.” Even in the darkness, our lips find and press against each other. Relief washing over both of us.
Even with my eyes closed, I can tell when the lights flipped on.
“Oh, that’s why,” Tate whispers from behind me.
Pulling away from Drew, I smile at her safely in my arms. That is until my eyes trail down her body and I gasp.
“You’re bleeding.” My hands come down, searching her, trying to find the source of the dried blood.
“Eli,” she reaches, stilling my hands. “It’s not my blood.”
There’s a sense of relief that comes over me again until our eyes lock and I can read the pain in hers.
“Low?”
Slowly, she nods her head.
“Is she...?” Z trails off, afraid of sending his sister over the edge after everything else.
“I don’t know.”
I move to the side, but my arms are not leaving her as she talks with him.
