Chapter 24: Cut Off

When the tunnel entrance collapses in front of him, Reid is so shocked he almost doesn't stop himself in time. He has to

back-pedal, crouch and cover to keep from being hurt or killed by the falling rubble. The entire front of the mine gives

way with a horrible grinding and grumbling roll of destruction. It takes a moment for the rocks to settle, but Reid is

already moving before they do-while calling out Drew's name.

He coughs and chokes on the dust, forcing his way forward, slamming his shins into sharp boulders, ankle aching from

twisting over a clump of rocks. Reid's mind is empty of thoughts of himself, the pain a distant cry he ignores. He can

only think of the boy he left behind at the tunnel mouth, his friend now somewhere in the wreckage.

Reid forces his way on, the spool of cord still clutched in his hand. It's almost completely dark in the tunnel now, most