Page 357 of Hidden Depths

One half had already lifted.

Ocean water thundered beneath it, pouring into the lower chamber.

A huge wheel turned slowly beside the gate.

Its gears hadn’t moved in decades.

Until tonight.

Mom pointed toward a control housing on the opposite ledge.

“I can close it from there.”

The metal walkway between us and the controls had partially collapsed.

Below it, water churned through the chamber.

Ben tested the remaining section with his boot.

“It might hold one person.”

“I’ll go,” Mom said.

Nathan stepped in front of her.

“No.”

“You don’t know the mechanism.”

“Tell me.”

“It requires two controls to be engaged simultaneously.”

“Then tell Storm.”

Mom looked at me.

I nodded.

Ward did not.

“Absolutely not.”

“Ward—”

“No.”

A shot struck the railing beside his hand.

The men had caught up with us.

“Cover!” Ben shouted.

Ward pushed me behind the gate housing as gunfire filled the chamber.

Nathan covered Mom with his body.

Ben fired toward the tunnel.