Chapter 154

At the first ominous rumble, Joel dropped everything and ran for the ruins. He didn't need to see the cloud of dust puffing out to know part of it collapsed. With Ruth inside!

Darting into the tunnel, blinking furiously at the cloud silting in the air, he tried not to panic. Kendrick's with her. He'll keep her safe. Unless they got flattened by a rock.

Not impossible given the size of some of the chunks he found obliterating their passage. What eased his mind somewhat was he didn't scent blood or hear any cries for help or of pain.

He took this to mean they managed to escape the architectural disaster and took refuge or searched for an exit in an intact portion. Joel loped along the debris-strewn corridors, sniffing for a sign, ignoring those that didn't pertain.