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But time was running out.
If I wanted to rescue him, I needed to act fast. Who knew what they were doing to him right at this very moment.
BOOM!
The explosion shook the ground beneath the soldiers’ feet and sent reverberations through my body. A huge plume of orange-red fire blossomed like a summer rose toward the sky.
Most of the explosion had been underground. There was no doubt in my mind that the base was now totally destroyed.
I hoped Chax managed to get out in time—even if it was in Iron Hoof’s custody.
Let him still be alive, I prayed, long enough for me to rescue him.
The stars were wiped from view when we entered an overhang of rock and descended into a world of darkness. Not even moonlight reached this place. I couldn’t see a thing and assumed the Yayora couldn’t either until I considered their large yellow eyes.
Could they see better in the dark than me? There had to be a reason for their yellow eyes, didn’t there?
I heard the rush of a cascading waterfall and a shift in the air as tiny molecules of water splattered against my face. The soldiers altered their grips on my body to negotiate a tricky section.
“I can walk,” I said.
No one said a thing as they continued carrying me deeper into the earth.
“I said, I can walk,” I said.
The soldiers came to a stop and a single pair of feet approached me from the side.
“If you get lost in here, we’ll never find you again,” Stari said.
I felt her breath on my face. It was so dark I couldn’t make her out.
“I won’t get lost,” I said.
Stari considered my words carefully. I imagined the look of consideration on her face.
“I won’t try to escape,” I said. “I want to help you guys.”
“Let her walk,” Stari said. “But hold my hand. We don’t want to lose you down here. You’re too valuable and I’m not in the habit of breaking my word.”
I held her hand and felt at the floor with my feet as we moved forward. Stari wouldn’t slow down and had to drag me behind her. My feet caught on invisible rocks and sank in shallow recesses. Sharp corners nicked my shoulders before I finally had enough.
“Wait,” I said.
“We can’t stop,” Stari said. “More Yayora are coming. If we hold up the line, we put them in danger. Let the soldiers carry you.”
I let go of Stari’s hand and shifted position. I stood behind her with a hand on either side of her waist.
“Okay,” I said. “Go.”
I felt the muscles tense in her back when she had to raise her foot higher than usual, when she turned to move around a sharp bend, or ducked to avoid an overhang.
I heard the squeak and squeal of creatures that sounded suspiciously like bats. I was even more grateful I had Stari taking point. I could use her as a shield.
“Where are we going?” I said. “The center of the planet?”
“No,” Stari said. “That’s much too far. And too hot.”
It was hard to understand these creatures’ humor sometimes.
