Thought never rationalizes instinct, most times the action is so fast, the brain doesn't even register it at first. That's what exactly what happened when Barbara heard the rumble. With the raw strength in her arms she vaulted herself from her seat and threw her body over Dinah's. Had her brain been quicker than the gut instinct, she would have realized how uncalled for a move that was. Nothing happened. The ceiling didn't collapse. Nothing broke or fell.
Barbara was too proud to admit to herself that she was paranoid. But no-one could blame her. She was protecting Dinah, that's all that counted.
"Barbara?" a voice said from the door.
Looking up from the blanket covering Dinah, Barbara saw Justin standing at the door. He moved quickly to her side and helped her lower herself into her chair.
"I…," she began to say.
"It's alright, I would have done the same," he said smiling encouragingly at her.
She smiled back, weakly.
Helena opened her eyes. She did a mental check of her body, nothing felt broken or injured, except there was a heavy weight above her.
"Uh, Reese?" She said and then pointed her thumb upwards, "Could you?"
Reese cleared his
throat and then stood up, off of her, "Sorry."
Helena raised
an eyebrow as he helped her stand up.
Reese checked his watch and then announced, "We better get…"
Helena held her hand up, "What's that?"
There was a noise that grew louder and louder.
"Another earthquake?" Reese asked.
"No, it's something else," Helena replied sniffing the air.
They turned to the direction it seem to originate. Frowning they watched a trickle of water flow by them. Then it grew into a steady little stream. The noise grew louder and louder until suddenly a body of water crashed around the corner.
Dum dum
Dum dum
Somehow, hearing her hearbeat, Cris was convinced she was not dead, either that or an angel was beating a harp over her head.
"Miss,"
said a distant voice.
"Miss?"
Another voice joined in, "Cris? Baby c'mon."
Cris groaned and opened her eyes,
"Matthew?"
Her vision was blurry at first, figures were
standing over her, but she couldn't make out who they were.
"Oh thank God! Yeah it's me Matthew," Matthew replied, "How are you feeling?"
Her vision started clearing, "I…my arm
hurts."
Someone next to Matthew moved and touched her arm
gently. Cris winced and moaned.
"It looks like a fracture, we need to get her to the field clinic and set her arm," the guy said to Matthew.
"Ok," Matthew replied and then looked back at her, "Don't you ever give me a fright like that again."
"What happened?" Cris asked.
"Superman pulled you away just in time, the whole tunnel collapsed. They don't know why, there's rumours going around about a weak structure or something," he said holding her hand.
"Superma…Oh shit! Matthew there were prisoners inside," Cris said now very awake.
"Relax, the one who was strangling you is in custody, the others were still inside."
A paramedic approached them and lifted her in a stretcher.
Helena and Reese ran down the sewer as the water closed the gap between it and them. They rounded a corner and spotted a ladder hanging in the air leading to a manhole. Reese leaped for it just as the water swept them up and grabbed Helena's hand. He gritted his teeth as he struggled to hold onto her.
Helena tried to keep her head above the water as it washed over her. We're not going to make it, the water is too strong! She thought gasping for air.
"Let…. Me go!" she shouted amongst breaths of air.
"No, I wont," Reese shouted back, he tried to pull her towards him.
"Reese you can't save the both of us, you'll get taken along with me, just let go!"
"NO! I won't loose you! Not to this!" He screamed through gritted teeth, his arm felt like it were about to be torn off. I won't loose you!
Helena took a mouth full of water and choked; she brought her other hand up and tried to pry Reese's hand off.
Reese looked above him, sunlight streamed though the holes. He smiled for a brief moment. I won't loose you, if you die, I die with you. And then let go of the ladder.
