Chapter 41
Snow swirls around us, violent as gunfire. The cold air numbs me like anesthesia.
"Let's go!" Claire says, shouldering the rifle she found.
She starts down a set of stairs, but pauses. She stumbles back onto the platform. Climbing the stairs is a man. No, not a man. A green-skinned monster with a dirty rag tied across his eyes, his mouth gaping open. His arms are cuffed behind him. His big, red heart pulsates in the center of his chest. Three jerky tentacles explode from his back.
I step in front of Claire and train the subs on his heart. He swings one tentacle. It hits me, sending me flying off the edge. I grab a rusty pipe sticking out of the platform frame. The subs disappear into the white mist below.
"Steve!"
Claire is above me, leaning over the edge so she can see me. She glances behind her. "Hold on! I'll waste that monster and then come back!"
"Claire, forget about me! Run!"
But she's gone. Two shots ring out. Only the howling of the wind remains.
My grip on the pipe is slipping. The snow continues to swirl below me. What's at the bottom besides more snow and death?
At this point, is it even worth holding on?
"Steve!"
Claire is above me, leaning over the platform edge again.
"Claire?!" I say.
Grinning, she grabs the edge and gives me her hand. She hauls me onto the platform. We lie side by side, panting.
"I'm sorry I failed you," I say.
Playfully, she punches my shoulder. "Don't worry about it. Let's get out of here!"
Grabbing the rifle, she stands and runs down the stairs. I watch her disappear, then push myself onto my feet.
I swear I'll protect you next time, Claire -