What is Buried
Chapter 2
Declan!
Is he damaged?
Kyle did not feel any sense of imminent danger for himself. Though most of the human population would be screaming their ass off right now, the current predicament did not place him in a position to "freak out" as Josh might have noted.
Trapped beneath rumble, the tight space felt a bit similar to his tub. His immediate instinct was to slip back into sleep's embrace. He refused with a shake of his head however.
Kyle squeezed his eyes a bit and coughed. Dust and rock practically oozed from his pores.
"Kyle?"
His senses felt a bit dull but he distinctly heard Declan's worried query. No cries of pain but a simple question. The relief he felt was gargantuan.
"I'm okay! Don't panic!"
His shout was muffled by the surrounding rock but it still carried and managed to be heard.
"Don't panic? Man, you are definitely entitled to a little freaking!" Declan called, back with a slight cough.
"Panic would only lead to wasting oxygen and depleting our energy," Kyle stated, as if giving the weather forecast.
Kyle shifted slightly but no dust hailed down on him. He managed to move his arms and began lightly touching spots of the rumble.
He heard Declan moving about and called out "Are you injured?"
"I'm fine. I'm coming to dig you out," Declan said, huffing and waving his flashlight around.
"No! Not till I am able to gauge a weak spot. I can't risk–"
"Hey, it's my risk to take. Don't move," Declan said. This time his voice was a lot closer.
"You should find an escape for yourself. I am not able to predict when another shift in the rocks will occur," Kyle said, anxiously.
Declan felt a vein throbbing on his forehead. Every time Kyle offered him a way to avoid any sort of risk there was the part of him that screamed "hell yes, I want to go!"
"Would you leave me here?" Declan asked, loudly to the mass of rumble.
Kyle breathed heavily for a moment. Should he lie? Of course, he couldn't.
"No," Kyle answered, after a long silence.
"Then stop saying it. I mean I may not jump into fires to rescue hot chicks but I still know how to do the hero thing," Declan said, as he moved some rock
Kyle didn't know why but he felt like he was always waiting for something from Declan. Waiting for something that would sadden him. He didn't think he was expecting disappointment. After all, he really felt he could depend on him.
Yet, the feeling was there.
What would Nicole say? He would have to ask her if they made it out alive, Kyle reasoned.
"You still with me? Kyle?"
Declan's voice jarred Kyle out of his thoughts. He realized he must have been calling for awhile.
"I'm still fine. Lean a little to your left. I think it may be less stress on that side," Kyle said.
Declan wiped the grimy sweat off his forehead for the tenth time. He should be freezing but his body felt like it was on fire. Blood was coming out the ends of his fingers but he did not waver in his digging.
"Hey, I think I see your foot!" Declan cried, happily.
Kyle felt a shift in the air below and realized Declan was right. "Yes, you're right."
Declan began moving rocks upward as more of Kyle's body came into view. He tried to ignore the ringing in his ears as he continued. Tried to ignore the way his lungs scrambled for air.
And after a few moments, Declan was able to once more stare in the large blue eyes of his friend.
"Hi."
Declan wanted to deck him in the jaw at the simple greeting accompanied with that stupid grin.
But it was all he could do not to shed a freaking tear.
And all he could do to stand.
Kyle looked at his friend longer and wanted to gasp. He looked like terrible.
Kyle sat up carefully as Declan keeled over on to his knees. He gripped his shoulders and winced at all the blood on Declan.
Kyle did not hold back his tears as he helped his friend.
You shouldn't be here, Declan.
To be continued . . .
A/N: Poor Declan does not seem to be in good shape, lol. Are our guys trapped? What will Kyle do next? All this and more angst to come.
Thanks so much for the reviews so far! They are very encouraging. :-)