The entire corridor goes silent.
And then the ceiling starts coming down.
36
Clay
The ceiling cracks overhead with a thunderous sound.
Concrete dust explodes into the air.
Everybody moves at once.
“BACK!” Russ shouts.
Too late.
A massive section of tunnel collapses behind us with a deafening crash, sealing off the corridor we just came through beneath tons of concrete and twisted metal.
The shockwave slams through the tunnel hard enough to knock Nora and Eli off their feet.
The little girl screams, miles has with him screams. She was supposed to be with the other ones safe near that warehouse. But she followed us, so we kept her with us. Now I wonder if that was a good idea.
Hannah grabs her instantly.
“I’ve got you—I’ve got you.”
Always protecting somebody.
Even while the world caves in around her.
The emergency lights flicker violently overhead.
Then half of them die.
Darkness swallows the tunnel except for scattered red flashes farther down the corridor.
The air changes immediately.
Thicker.
Harder to breathe.
Gabriel looks up sharply.
“The ventilation system’s failing.”
Perfect.
Absolutely perfect.
Another crack splits across the ceiling.
Concrete rains down near the collapsed shaft.
Miles swears under his breath.
“We need another way out.”
