0Disclaimer: Stephanie Meyer owns all the basics.
Rated M for several reasons.
Part One
Chapter 28 Midnight Swim
RPOV
We don't have time for this and I know Jasper agrees with me but I'm too woozy and in too much pain to protest like I want and anyway, Edward insisted that both Alice and Em could do with a rest, however brief. The two of them were asleep, curled around each other, practically as soon as we sat down. Nevertheless Em still has a tight hold on me, which I do not mind at all.
Stoney faced Jasper conducts the questioning with a bit of help from Bella in whom the thirst for knowledge in strong. I'm not sure that's what Mike was expecting but its soon clear that Jasper has no intention of telling him anything, and he shuts down completely when Mike tries to ask a jokey question about Alice 'seeing' things.
After we were attacked by the wolves Mike says he lost contact with everyone and he has no idea what happened to Jessica and Alistair. I don't believe him, but then he's not one of 'us' is he? James I am actively leery of at this point. I'm pretty sure if you looked up 'dangerous lunatic' in the dictionary you'd find a picture of the way he is now. He hasn't said a word, not even when questioned directly and his facial expression only changes when he's looking at Edward or Jasper. And then its scarier, more focussed dangerous lunatic. Bella sees it too because every time it happens she shifts her eyes to mine for a brief moment. If the others have noticed they aren't letting on.
Mike says he headed upwards after he escaped the wolves, instinctively believing that it would be a way out. It was incredibly slow going without light and he's sure he was climbing stairs and walking for hours before James loomed silently out of the darkness with an unused flashlight and a backpack full of supplies.
"How did you know he was one of us?" Jasper asks.
"I didn't but it was a reasonable assumption to make." Mike shrugs. "He didn't exactly look like he was enjoying himself down here and we all have that in common."
"Has he said anything?" Bella wants to know.
"Nada. But he pitched a fit when I said I was heading up looking for an exit, kept trying to drag me down the stairs with him. He was most insistent. I worked out his name by a process of elimination from talking to you guys before and once I started down he just followed me."
After Bella's made Mike talk through exactly what happened to him with the wolves, in minute detail for the second time, we lapse into silence.
Distrustful silence.
Mike's probably pissed, rightfully so, that we're not answering his questions, although he seems disinclined to push the point. As for James, who knows what's going on in his head right now?
Jasper's eyes slide to me.
"Can you move?" He asks me.
I nod. Which makes me feel sick.
"Then we shouldn't waste any more time."
"What about us?" Mike asks.
"We're gettin' out of here." Jasper growls. "Do what you're told when you're told to do it. Don't get in my way and don't make any wrong moves. Understand?"
Mike swallows and nods. James just continues to look crazy . . . .
BPOV
With Mike and James helping we speed, and I use the time advisedly, through to the other side of the blockage. Which is good. But I'd still rather they hadn't found us, their presence has brought a new tension to our group and none of us seems to trust them. Which I'm sure says more about us than it does them, but what can you do? These are exceptional times.
Although she seems back to herself since her sleep Alice hasn't said a word about what she's seen or felt and with them here we haven't questioned her, though we're all watching her for clues.
This new corridor is different. Different light fittings (non-functional), different concrete (less shiny) and different air. Fresher somehow, although that's probably just because we're free of the rubble and dust 'tomb' we've spent the last few hours in.
I'm exhausted. Only my defective brain and Edward's gentle, if mostly silent, encouragement is keeping me animated.
Zombie Bella.
Without the craving for human flesh.
Ugh. That fucker. I hope he died slowly and painfully, like Zaf, before they could save him.
"Bella?"
"Hmm?" I stop gulping the water and turn my face to find Edward's worried green eyes fixed on mine.
"Are you okay? Do you need to talk about what happened?"
I open my mouth to reply but Jasper beats me to it.
"In short Dr Ed? Yes she does. Does she need to do it now? No. We don't have time."
I smile at Edward, just about restraining myself from reaching out to stroke his square and manfully stubbled jaw.
"What he said." I offer and after a moment Edward returns my smile, turning away to punch Jasper in the arm before inspecting poor Rose's head again.
When he's done we prepare to move again and I cast one glance back, guiltily wondering if we're abandoning Jessica and Alistair to their fate . . . .
APOV
With every step we take now there's more hope in my heart but I keep my own counsel because there's still more blood and darkness in my head than anything else. I feel like I'm deep in an overgrown forest, searching for a slim path.
Which I suppose I am if you substitute trees with concrete.
Rosalie catches me laughing quietly to myself and I wink at her.
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head but squeezes my shoulder as she passes by to catch up with Em . . . .
BPOV
We walk the featureless corridor for a while until it opens out into a small chamber. Ahead is a huge blast door with a pristine white '#1' painted on it. To the left and right are similar, unmarked, blast doors.
We try all of them but of course only the ominous, numbered door, will actually open. Albeit reluctantly.
We are greeted with a yawning chasm that reminds me of Star Wars.
"Missile silo." Is Jasper's only comment.
"Holy shit." Mike observes.
"How do we get across?" Edward and Em ask more practically.
Jasper shines his light down revealing the still surface of some nasty looking water.
"We swim."
Peering down I can make out narrow ladder rungs riveted into the wall, and looking across I can see the same on the opposite side where there is another blast door opposite us, this one already slightly open.
"Can we wade across?" Mike asks.
Jasper shines his light upward, where the beam tapers away to nothing in the darkness.
"Doubtful but it's probably safer not to anyway, there's likely to be all sorts of crap at the bottom." Is his considered response.
"Can't we just climb out from here?" Edward asks, indicating the ladder rungs leading up and out of sight on both sides.
"The silos were sealed over with concrete slabs when they were decommissioned in the eighties." Jasper explains with a shake of his head. "We'd need a jackhammer to get through."
"Oh well." Rose sighs. "At least we're getting a bath."
Following Jasper's instructions we waterproof what we can in what's left of our packs and hang our boots or shoes around our necks by the tied laces. Edward fusses around, using what he can to protect all our wounds and then we descend the ladder, one at a time.
I can't help being tense. Or tenser if you will. It doesn't look much more than a hundred feet but I'm not a strong swimmer by any stretch of the imagination. I hope I can touch the bottom, however briefly, if I need to.
Below me I hear sharp intakes of breath as soon as someone hits the water and fuck it is cold when it's my turn. The water turns me to ice from the toes upwards as I lower myself in.
"Move. Swim." Edward encourages as I hang onto the bottom rung frozen, almost literally, in place with the sheer force of the cold.
He tries to hold my hand and keep his pack above water but soon has to give up, his eyes apologetic and I smile to show him I'm okay as I bob awkwardly off into the void following Rose's golden hair.
Once we're all down for a few moments there's nothing but the sound of us stroking through the water and then there's a choking cry and desperate splashing somewhere in the space behind me.
"Keep going." Edward's voice urges and I hear him turn back.
I paddle around to follow him as the splashing intensifies and is joined by cursing and shouting.
"Relax I've got you!"
"Shit!"
I stop, treading water.
"Fucking hold still!"
More choking and desperate shouting.
"Edward!"
"Keep still. I won't fucking warn you again!"
There's a dull thud and a shallow cry.
"EDWARD!"
No reply so I scream his name too.
"EDWARD!"
There's a huge splash that buffets me in the water and someone gasps air into their lungs.
"EDWARD!"
"I'm here." Hacking cough. "I'm fine. Where's Mike?"
"Here." Em replies calmly as I swim forward to join them.
"What happened to him?" I ask as I can just about make him out, limp in Em's massive arms.
"He wouldn't stop struggling so I decked him." Em replies simply, hefting Mike into a more comfortable position.
"Let's get out of here." Edward sighs tiredly. "This water tastes like shit."
"No arguments from me." Em hums.
"Which way?" I whimper, suddenly aware that we're totally turned around in the dark . . . .
EPOV
I am cold, tired and hungry.
Not that I mind a little hardship but I do mind not knowing what is going on.
James has been a joy to work with, so pliable, my heart soared with possibilities as I guided him as close to Mike as I dared and hugged him goodbye. I hve no idea how the seeds I planted are going to germinate but I am avid to find out.
I was heading back to the surface with Sam and Leah when all hell broke loose in our earpieces and we were ordered to maintain radio silence and wait.
At first I wasn't bothered, I had a notebook with me and for hours I happily recorded my session with James, my thoughts occassionally on Bella's rescue and how it would affect the group dynamic. All of it utterly fascinating.
But now I am growing more impatient to see the footage and find out what is actually going on, I must be missing so much material. I've heard no radio chatter in my earpiece for hours and I'm sure my companions haven't either. Sam is silent, still, and stoic. Leah is also silent but not still and I fancy I can see her unravelling before my eyes.
Not good. Not good at all.
Finally I can stand it no longer and I get to my feet, twisting and stretching to relieve my stiff muscles.
"How much longer do we have to wait?" I ask, keeping my tone neutral.
Sam shrugs and Leah snarls.
Okay then. Moving past them I peer out into the corridor, not that I can see much without a flashlight. But I stay there and wait . . . .
"It's been over five hours." Leah hisses quietly to Sam. "We should get the hell out of here before they seal the place with us in it."
"There is more than one way out." He replies just as quietly.
"Which only you and Billy know." She growls.
"Then we'd better be sure I don't die, hadn't we?"
"Fuck you." She snaps and I hear her whirl away to throw herself down in the corner of the room.
Not good. Not good at all.
A little fear begins to creep along my spine . . . .
