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"He's dying,” Michael said softly, stopping just behind her. She swallowed the lump in her throat and blinked back sudden tears. “No. I won't let him die." He couldn't die and leave her alone. She couldn't cope with it.
"Jasper has fed on him. There's barely enough blood left to pump his heart..." Michael's voice faded, and she glanced up quickly. He was listening to the silence, his face as still as his thoughts, giving nothing away. Evil closed the air around them, and her heart lurched in sudden fear. Jasper's plans were about to be revealed. She reached out and touched Jake's pallid cheek. His skin was colder than her fingers.
"Jake? Please, wake up."
No response, nor did she really expect any. They had to get him to hospital if they were to have any hope of saving him.
"We can't stay here—"
"And I won't leave him!"
"Nikki—"
"I don't want to hear it, Michael.” She clenched her fists and glared at him. She wasn't about to leave Jake here to die, as she'd left everyone else in her life she'd cared about to die.
"I was only going to say we have to get going. Now, move aside, so I can pick him up." She rose and stepped to one side, watching him haul Jake's unconscious figure upright. Something quivered in the air between them. She spun—too late to see what it was. She bit her lip, and clenched her fists. Jasper was playing games, again. Damn it, she had to ignore him, had to... An explosion ripped across the silence. The ground bucked, and she screamed, staggering sideways as the darkness filled with fire and imminent death.
Michael grabbed her arm and held her upright. An ominous rumble ran through the darkness. Jasper hadn't finished with them yet.
"Go,” Michael shouted, and thrust her forward.
She ran, dodging falling dirt and stone, the flashlight's beam barely picking out the ground a foot away. Dust filled the darkness, a thick cloud that tore at her throat, making it difficult to breathe. She had no idea where she was going. She just ran, staggering from side to side in rhythm to the earth's contortions. Michael was at her back, his breathing labored. She didn't want him to die, and knew they all would if they didn't get out of this tunnel soon. The thought sent fresh energy though her legs.
"Swing left."
Her foot slithered on the slick footing. She threw out an arm for balance and struggled to keep upright. Hopefully, Michael had a far better sense of direction than she did. The falling debris made the darkness an alien world. It was difficult enough to breathe, let alone remember which tunnel was where. Another explosion ripped across the darkness. Rocks rained down from the ceiling. She threw up her arms, trying to protect her head. Debris hit her, bruising her hands and shoulders. She stumbled, falling, and jarred her knee. Michael's arm went around her waist. With a grunt, he lifted her up and ran them all out of immediate danger.
After several minutes, he released her and pushed forward once more. “Move, move,” he said. His fear was tangible, filling the darkness. Not fear for him but for her. The knowledge lent her feet wings.
"Turn right now!"
She swung, dodging rubble, her breathing sharp and labored under the thickening cloud of dust.
"Watch it—"
Michael's shout echoed as her instincts cut in. She twisted sideways, barely avoiding the foul gasp of a zombie. She slipped, and cursed, then twisted around and shone the light into the creature's eyes. It leapt at her anyway. She dodged and flicked her knife into her palm.
Michael grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
"Let me,” he said, and thrust Jake at her.
Jake's weight hit her, and she grunted, staggering backwards until she hit a wall. Rock dug sharply into her back and pain ran hot down her legs. She cursed but wrapped an arm around Jake's chest, holding him upright.
Another rumble ran through the darkness. She glanced upwards, wondering uneasily if Jasper's plans included bringing the entire mine down on top of them. Maybe it was just a neat extra. A chill ran through her. Jasper was close, so very close. She sensed his evil, felt his gloating... A figure loomed out of the darkness. Nikki swallowed, fingers clenched around the knife. Michael, not Jasper. Relief shot through her, its intensity shocking.
"Go,” he said, and took Jake from her.
The water grew deeper, inching back towards her chest. She remembered the snakes she'd encountered earlier. Real or not, it wasn't an experience she wanted to relive. She faltered, not certain what to do next.
Another explosion ripped across the darkness. The roof above her collapsed, and a rush of rubble and dirt swept her off her feet.
"Nikki!"
Michael's cry was cut off as she was swept under the water. Dirt and stone fell around her, encasing her, trapping her under the foul waters. Panic swelled. She kicked her legs, desperate to get free, to get back to the surface. Fire burned in her chest, and she fought the desire to breathe. More rocks fell, churning the water, confusing her senses. Pain exploded through her body, and the need to open her mouth, to suck in air, grew desperate.
She thrashed sideways as rock smashed against her shoulder, and her head hit something solid. Red fire spread through her brain. She gasped in agony, swallowing water, crying a denial as darkness engulfed her.
* * * *
