At last, though, the tunnel gets just a bit wider. I manage to slide my way under her.
“Hold on,” I whisper.
She locks her hands around my neck just a little too hard, and I can feel them pressing down uncomfortably over my windpipe. It’s making me a little dizzy, especially with the blood loss from the wound in my upper arm, but I don’t complain. I’ll power through it. Anything for her.
I’m starting to get really antsy though. Because as much as the tunnel is widening, it’s still pitch black, and I wonder when we’ll start to see the sun shining through. Where the hell is this taking us? Why isn’t anyone following us?Arewe going to get to theopening, or will we be stuck forever in the depths of this cave?
No, impossible. It can’t happen. I have to save Piper. No other outcome is possible.
Just when I’m starting to feel really defeated, I suddenly realize I’m seeing specks of dust twirling in the air before me.
That means the darkness has shifted. I can see. Just a bit.
Slowing my breathing to keep up my stamina, I continue to crawl through the muddy tunnel.
Muddy.
Had it been muddy earlier on, it would have freaked me out, because it would have meant water had been running through it, and another wave could drown us. I can’t think of a worse fate than to drown helplessly underground.
But the dirt was dry back there. Parched. Which means the water only managed to get to here. Which means…
Thank fucking God.
We’ve reached the end of the tunnel.
Moments later I tumble onto the ground, wincing, Piper still locked to my neck.
Then I grab her and fold her to me again.
“We made it, cricket. I told you I’d save you, didn’t I?”
I’m still facing the tunnel. Stupid. I guess the blood is making me a little lightheaded. Or maybe it’s finding my girl again. Whatever the case, I never think to turn around. Until I notice Piper’s expression.
She seems a little more awake than before, and her eyes are fixed on some point behind me.
I turn slowly and find myself face to face with… a gun.
Fuck.
Chapter 23
Quill
Idon’t need to know which side this guy is on.
He’s wearing a leery grin, stubble pricks his chin, and little beady eyes glint along with the barrel of his gun.
And there’s no doubt of his intention as he stares at us with the satisfied air of a hunter who’s caught his prey. He intends to kill us.
Well, maybe nothedoesn’t.
“Coltello,” he calls, still facing us with the smirk that distorts his already ugly features.
In my arms, I feel Piper tensing.
“Please,” she whispers hoarsely. “Please let him go. You only want me.”
Forgetting her bruises, I squeeze her tightly in my arms. This is all wrong. I’m the one who needs to be saving her. Not the opposite.