Page 66 of Sawyer’s Mistake

Kopf raised his hands. “I didn’t mean anything by it,” he said, sounding almost apologetic.

“Let’s go. We can worry about the vehicles later,” Storme decided. A chunk of concrete fell a few feet away from them. Sawyer sheltered Saoirse’s head. “Everybody, head to the kitchen!”

“Why don’t you fly?” Ray said.

They all looked at him like he was mad. “Stop, Ray, please,” Saoirse begged.

“The tunnel connects with a plane,” Ray said.

“Planes can’t fly anymore,” Meir said, shaking his head.

“Normal planes can’t. This one can. I designed the special filter to protect the engine.”

“Why the fuck didn’t you say that before?” Kopf shouted.

The cover to the ventilation shaft seemed to weigh a ton. It didn’t budge when Storme pushed. “I need help,” he panted.

In seconds, Meir, Zander, Kopf, and Prado were there. The five men put their weight behind it, pulling together.

In the main room, rocks the size of fists started falling, destroying the furniture.

“My books,” Ray shouted. He made as if to go back, but Sawyer stopped him. “I don’t think so, old man,” he said. “We’re leaving now.”

“I’m … I’m not going with you,” Ray said, bewildered. “I live here.”

“Not anymore you don’t,” Sawyer said. “You’re coming with us even if we have to drag you out of here.”

Ray tried to wrench his arm out of Sawyer’s grip.

Saoirse put a hand gently on Sawyer’s arm, silently asking him to let go. As soon as he was free, Ray visibly relaxed.

“Come with us,” she asked quietly. “We’re going to need your help finding Pangea.”

The old man looked like he was going to argue but then nodded. One by one, they all filed into the kitchen.

“Shit, they’re through! We’re running out of time, Storme!” Sawyer shouted as an enormous clawed foot made it through the hole. It was still too small for the body to go through, but it was a matter of minutes until it could. Sawyer pushed them forward.

A loud crash from the other room told her the men had managed to dislodge the cover.

“Eva, Saoirse, Alix, get ready!” Storme shouted.

Prado ran past them in the opposite direction, his rifle ready. “Get out of here!” he shouted, “I’ll cover you!”

Sawyer nodded, propelling the women forward.

Meir was already inside the vent, leading the way. Eva went in next, diving into the opening like she’d been doing this all her life. Storme stopped her to place a soft kiss on her head before she disappeared.

Saoirse crawled in after her friend, squashing her breasts in the process. Eva had made it seem so much easier. The opening was a tight fit for her, and she wondered how Meir was pushing his shoulders through and how the rest of the men would fit.

What if Sawyer doesn’t fit? What if he plans to stay behind?

She stopped and tried to turn around, an impossible feat. A hand on her lower calf centered her. Somehow, she knew it belonged to Sawyer.

“I’m right behind you, little one. There’s only one way out, and it’s forward,” he said quietly. He sounded pained, but she realized the best way to help him was to keep crawling. So she crawled further, until it was so dark she couldn’t see Eva’s form in front of her but heard the other woman’s panting breath.

“You’re doing so well,” Sawyer praised, behind her.

His encouragement kept her crawling. She heard scratching noises ahead of and behind her and hoped against all hope that the sounds were made by their boots. She didn’t want to think of what kind of creepy-crawlies could be hiding in this damp, humid space.