Page 75 of Rascal

“Kill me if you must, you psych ward reject, but release her. She’s a baby, Kira. Your name, you lunatic, is Kira Barnes. Bitch, I’m fuckin’ Hallie Milton, and I’m done playing into your illusions!” I yelled.

I grabbed Mia Charlotte’s hand and killed the light on my phone. Mia Charlotte screamed.

“I’m here,” I soothed as Kira began ranting.

I shuffled backwards and kept going. Yes, I had found the tunnel. Suddenly a bright light flicked on, and we all blinked. Kira rushed at me, and at the same time, from the cave entrance, I saw a few tumbling rocks. The idiot had pried one of the support beams free.

I shoved Mia Charlotte in front of me as Kira swung at my head once again. A loud crack resounded, and some bigger stones came loose.

“Keep fighting, you stupid bitch,” I hissed and stayed near the weakened post. Kira let out a wordless snarl and launched herself with the plank swinging hard. She hit as I darted to the side, and then a rumble started. Kira’s eyes grew wide, but I kept moving. I grabbed Mia Charlotte and began dragging her down the tunnel. Rocks tumbled noisily as Mia Charlotte shrieked, but I didn’t stop, and then a huge one smashed into the middle of my back.

I pushed Mia Charlotte hard, and she flew away as the ceiling crumbled around me. Something smacked my head, and the last thing I saw was the flickering light from Kira. An enraged scream sank into me as I lost consciousness.

“Please wake up, it’s dark, and I’m scared,” a little voice begged.

“Mia Charlotte?” I groaned.

“Yes, it’s me. Hallie, it’s me!” Mia Charlotte exclaimed in relief.

“I’m awake, honey, give me a second.” Something felt wrong, and I tried to sit up. Shit. I was on my stomach, and my legs were pinned. Crap.

“Mia Charlotte, are you hurt?”

“No. You saved me.”

“You’ve not found my phone, have you?” I asked with little hope.

“No, Hallie. It’s so dark. I only found you.”

“Okay, sweet girl. I’m trapped and can’t drag myself out, and I’ve no idea how unstable this rockfall is.” Let alone how injured I was. My lower half felt numb. “Mia Charlotte, I can’t reach behind myself, so I’m going to need you to.”

“Then what?”

“Find the first stone and push it off me. One at a time. If you hear a rumble or if stones fall, move away quickly. Understand?” I ordered.

“Yes, Hallie.” Mia Charlotte sounded terrified, but I knew the girl wouldn’t leave me. It was too dark, and she was scared. Mia Charlotte’s hands smacked me in my forehead and then felt their way over and down. She found the first stone near my shoulders and pushed it off. It rolled away easily enough, as did the next three.

“Hallie, I think there’re stones on top of this one,” Mia Charlotte said tremulously.

“Okay, kiddo, you’re doing well. Find the top one and slowly push off me.”

Minutes ticked past as Mia Charlotte obeyed. There was a slight rustle, and we froze, but nothing happened. She removed the next two, and I tried wriggling free. Neither of my legs moved, although my right one felt a tad looser.

We worked together one stone at a time until I heard a rumble.

“Move, Mia Charlotte, now,” I ordered sharply, and Mia fled. Some stones fell onto my back, and I winced at the pain, but the pressure on my legs eased.

I dragged myself forward and swallowed a scream. Agony flooded me, and I knew both my legs were badly hurt. But I sighed in relief; we could escape. “Mia Charlotte, you did it! I’m free.”

“Hallie, I can’t find you,” her scared voice came back.

“Keep talking! I’ll find you.” Mia Charlotte began babbling about anything and everything. Blindly, I searched with a definite limp; I couldn’t put weight on my right ankle.

“Got you!” I cried and grabbed her shoulder.

“Yes!” Mia Charlotte exclaimed.

“Hold my hand tight, kid; we’re going to get out of here.”