Escapade

Airson reached the elevator first. He called back. "I found it!!" He pressed the button several times, but there was an error buzzer with each try.

Akasan and Zhi Nu caught up.

"What are you waiting for? Open it!" Zhi Nu said.

"You don't think I tried that already? It won't open."

"They shut it down…" Akasan muttered.

Zhi Nu checked behind her. "We have to do something. They'll send the strong ones after us soon, and we'll be goners."

"Still have those clouds?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"Can you get these doors open?"

Zhi Nu nodded. She bent her fingers in alternating patterns.

The clouds shot into the elevator's crevice and forced the doors open.

"What now?" she asked.

Airson ran inside and kicked out the top, opening the way to the upwards tunnel back to the surface.

Zhi Nu walked in and looked up. "We're over 200 floors below, right?" She swiped her hand.