Chapter 23: Going Up

After a few tries, they managed to lift the box up to the top of the elevator. They moved the box under the four ropes hanging from the ceiling. Chris tied the four ropes to the metal rings on the corner of the box. Chris noticed something he didn't before. On the side of the box wrote "Joleena" on the side of it.

"We're at the top. You guys good down below?" asked Jackson.

"It's all set for you to take it up," replied Chris.

Thirty second later the box ascended up the elevator shaft. The three teens watched the box as it went up until they could no longer see it. Heather and Francis climbed down from the top of the elevator and made their way back to the storage room to grab another box.

"I have a question," Heather said, turning to Francis.

"Ask away," replied Francis.

"Did you stay with Alexis last night, or did you go back to your room?" she asked.

"What does it matter to you," he replied.

"You told me I could ask a question."

"You are correct, but I never said I'd answer it," Francis said smugly.

"Jerk," she commented as she spun around and hit Francis on the back of the head.

"Ouch. Fine, the answer is yes. I was comforting her."

"Did that include the shower package?"

"SHUT UP!" Francis screamed.

"Now you know what it's like."

The two walked into the room and grabbed the next coffin. The box was labeled Marissa. They got on either end of the box and lifted and made their way to the elevator. Nothing was said as they walked back. The box was heavy for the two of them, so it took some time to get it back to the elevator.

After three minutes of stopping and going, the two brought the box to the bottom of the elevator. They yelled up to Chris, signaling to throw the ropes down to tie up the box. Four ropes fell from the roof like vines. Francis and Heather tied the ropes around the rings on the corners of the box. Chris help Francis raise Heather to the top of the elevator. Once she was up, the two of them pulled the box up to the top of the elevator. They removed the ropes used to pull the box up and waited for Jackson's signal.

"We unloaded the box up here and the ropes are coming back down. They will be in a free fall so get into a corner or something," said Jackson through the radio.

Ten seconds later the ropes came hurdling down and hit the floor causing a loud bang to echo up the elevator shaft. They once again tied the ropes to the metal rings.

"We're all good down here, send it up," ordered Chris to Jackson.

Within seconds the elevator lifted the box into the sky. They repeated this process two more times. Once for Max, once for Carmella.

After the last box was lifted Jackson called down to them.

"In that storage room there is a platform with the same metal rings. That's your way up. Of course, all three of you can't fit on the thing at once. You'd be too heavy. You have to do it in a group of two and a group of one."

"Got it, we'll be ready in five," Chris replied.

Heather climbed back to the bottom of the elevator and left with Francis for the platform.

"I have a question Heather," said Francis.

"Well let's hear it," she replied.

"How far is your relationship with gotten?" he asked.

"Last night I discussed getting married."

"What! How'd he take it?" Francis asked.

"Well, being the asshole that he is sometimes, he put down that idea," she replied.

"Are you too still together?"

"Of course. By the way, you are way over your one question that you asked for."

They arrived in the storage room and grabbed the platform. It was light enough that Francis could have carried it himself, but because of how long it was, Heather had to assist.

They brought the platform back to the elevator and tied it the cables. Francis got on by himself and went up first. Once the platform returned to the bottom, Heather and Chris boarded the elevator.

"We're still a couple, aren't we?��� Heather asked.

"What would make you think we weren't. Just because I didn't accept your proposal last night doesn't mean can't be a couple. Maybe if I will accept it another time if you ask again," he replied.

"Fine then. Will you m"

"No" Chris interrupted.

"Hey! You didn't let me finish. I was going to ask if you could move closer." She said with her cheeks puffed.

"Sorry," Chris apologized as he moved closer.

Heather wrapped her arms around Chris and whispered in his ear.

"Will you marry me?" She asked in a serious tone.

"No."

She leaned back and smacked him across the face causing him to almost fall off.

"Fine, the answer is yes, but that answer can change."

"You're so mean sometimes," said Heather.

"I try," Chris joked.

"That's not the idea."

The elevator reached the top. Jackson helped Chris and Heather off the platform and on to the floor. The instant chill of the cold outside air hit Chris and Heather like a wall. They began shivering the second they got off the elevator. The five greeted each other once again and headed for the room that held the suits.

They each put on their respective suits. Because Alexis was not from this bunker, she didn't have a suit that was fitted for her. Luckily, there was a suit one size larger than her that she could wear. Once they got their suits on, Jackson opened the door. Francis and Alexis grabbed one box and Chris and Heather grabbed another. After they delivered their boxes outside the returned to the bunker to pick up the third and fourth box.