If I thought the mines couldn't be worse, then that was a complete misjudgment. The light rain that fell intermittently on Sunday was just a precursor to a larger string of thunderstorms that have continued into Wednesday. The ground has become saturated by the inches of rain that have fallen in the past three days, and it drips down on us as we dig and hack away. Our boots sink deeply into the ground, and the coal cakes onto our wet clothes. It's absolutely miserable.
"Would you believe it, but there was a time that I actually looked forward to the day I got to come down here?" Thom asks from beside me, where he's shoveling coal into a giant metal bin. He stops for a second, sticking his shovel into the ground and wiping sweat from his brow. "I must have been out of my damn mind."
"We were all stupid and naive when we were younger," I console him, swinging my pick into the wall.
"Some of us were more stupid then others," Bristel jokes, clearly looking at Thom, who just raises his eyebrows.
"You didn't even know me when I was younger, Bris," Thom reminds her.
She just shrugs. "Call it an educated guess based on current behavior. How about it Gale? You were in school with him."
"Leave me out of your flirtations," I tell her, and she gets a sour look on her face.
"Don't make me sick Gale."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Thom questions her.
Before she gets a chance to answer our crew leader, an older man, stocky with salt and pepper hair makes his way over. He's got the same disdainful look on his face that he usually has. Old Sanford has been in the mines for years, and at some point he was promoted to crew leader, most likely by default that he was still alive. However, he makes more money then most, and the position and responsibility has gone to his head just a bit.
"Do any of you hooligans actually work, or just sit around and talk?" he frowns at us. He's holding a clipboard in his hand to keep track of the bins that are filled during the day. He looks unhappily at the one that we are working to fill. "Apparently not."
"Would you stop worrying boss?" Thom asks him, picking up his shovel again.
"It's not me who should be worried. See how you like it when you don't get paid because you're slacking off," Sanford threatens.
"As if I would be missing much," Thom tries to whisper so only I can hear. It doesn't work. Sanford comes trudging past me, clipboard tucked under his arm and stands right in front of Thom.
"You'd miss eating, you ungrateful little-"
Sanford stops speaking, and we all stop moving when we hear thunder echoing down the elevator shaft and through the mine. Several shorts bursts come one after the other and I think I can feel the ground trembling, or that could be my own heart beating faster, I can't tell. It goes on for several more seconds before it seems to stop. We all look around at each other, silently asking if we think that's it. Sanford seems to think so because he begins talking again.
"All of you get back to work," he orders before turning to walk back to walk to a different spot in the mine. He's still within our sights when something else happens. Instead of the small echoes of thunder from earlier, there's a gigantic boom that reverberates around us. While before I couldn't tell, this time I know the ground is shaking because rock begins falling around us and above, smacking into our helmets. I think I feel absolute fear for the first time in my life when I see the look on Sanford's face. His mouth has fallen open, his eyes are wide, and I can't hear him, but his lips are mouthing one unmistakable word. Run. And then he's gone, heading back towards the elevator.
I turn and realize that Bristel and Thom are still standing frozen. I do the only thing I can think of and grip them both by the arm and begin pushing them forward. We're at the end of the cut, so I know no one else is behind us and I run behind them as the ground continues to shake and protest. I keep my two crewmembers is in sight ahead of me as I run behind them. Unfortunately while I'm running I'm paying more attention to the chunks of rock falling from the mine's ceiling instead of the ground in front of me because I miss the shovel lying abandoned.
My right foot catches on it, and then I'm flying to the ground, my helmet falling off and landing under me so that it buries into my stomach when I hit. I immediately grip my stomach and chest, trying to regain the breath that has been evacuated forcefully from my lungs. I struggle to my feet, no longer able to see Thom or Bristel. No, I couldn't see them, but I do see the wooden support beam beside me snap as it comes to smash into my forehead, followed by the avalanche of rock.
When I wake, the first feeling I have is one of severe pain. My head throbs something awful and I can feel what I can only think is blood running down my face. I lick my lips, and verify that thought when I taste the coppery liquid. Even more terrifying is the fact that I can't move my arms and legs. I open my eyes slowly, and though I was expecting pitch-blackness, I'm surprised when there is a source of light coming from somewhere behind me. Obviously one of the lanterns that light the mine paths is still functioning. And while there may still be structural soundness behind me, that certainly isn't the case in front of me.
The top of the mine looks like it is still up, but the left side has broken. The collapse must have hit me hard because I landed on my back, buried up to my neck in rock. The rock is heavy and it weighs my limbs down. I think I've lucked out though because although I can feel cuts in my skin and soreness, nothing feels like it has been broken. That drives me to try and move. I attempt my arms first, pushing my muscles harshly until their protests cannot be ignored and I have to cease the effort. Instead of trying to move my arms again, I use my legs. They aren't completely straight, so I push them against the rock in front of them as powerfully as I can.
With my legs, I'm able to propel my body backwards almost half a foot, enough that I'm able to free my arms. I realize that I'm still in a very precarious position because I'm at the bottom of a slope, and that if I try to go too fast I could cause another shift and be buried completely. In combination, I use my arms and legs to slowly push myself back, allowing rock to slowly fill the empty spaces that my body used to occupy. In a matter of seconds, I'm out and staring at the pile of earth between me, and the only exit.
I start to take deep breaths to prevent myself from hyperventilating, but a second after I stop because I realize I could have a limited supply of oxygen. I've never felt more closed in and alone that I do at this moment. There's no way of knowing if this collapse was the only one, or whether the elevator shaft caved in. If it has, then there is absolutely no question I'm going to die down here, alone. I know immediately that I have to make myself do something or I'm going to lose it at any moment.
I walk over to a spot in the mine where a steady stream of rainwater is falling from the ceiling and place my head under it. The cool water stings the open wound on my head, but begins washing the blood and grime off my face. I cup some in my hands and use it to clean off my arms as well. After I've kept my mind occupied with something else for as long as I can, I'm left sitting against the wall, with no idea about what to do and the reality that this could be it. This is the thing that I've dreaded since the news came about my father that awful day. There is absolutely no comfort in the fact that I may be spending my final moments in the same place that he did.
At some point I must have rested my eyes and fallen asleep because I shake myself awake some time later, although I have no idea how long its been. It's still absolutely silent, not counting the steady drips of water still coming down. My head still throbs and sometimes it's so bad that my eyes tear up. The muscles in my back, and arms, and my legs are all sore, and lying upright against the wall hasn't helped. I decide to stand and stretch, and slowly make my way back towards the end of the tunnel where Thom, Bristel, and I have been working. There are a few spots where the walls have crumbled, but overall everything is still standing.
I spot Thom's thermos sitting by the metal coal bin, and find it partially full. I take a sip, enough to wet my throat before putting the rest away. There isn't much of anything else, other then mining tools that are of any use to me. I move back to the location of the cave in and sit back down. I sit, and then sit some more, and I can feel my emotions starting to get the best of me. The chances are overwhelming that I won't be leaving this place. If there was a collapse here, there's a good chance there are others and I'm no priority over anyone else. Bad thoughts start to seep into my mind. I wonder if it would be easier just to end things quickly, instead of just wasting away from hunger or lack of air. The prospect of tying my shirt around one of the wooden beams and then around my neck becomes intriguing...only for a second though.
I realize I'm being selfish by thinking about taking the easy way out. What would happen to my family if I died? My mother would be on her own, unable to support everyone just by washing clothes. Vick would be devastated. Rory would try to be strong for everyone, but he's not ready for the responsibility of taking care of everyone. Posy, I can't imagine leaving her. She never even got to meet our father, and I've tried to be that strong presence in her life. The thought of her sweet, innocent face crying is almost enough to break me. And Katniss...I'd never get the chance to convince her that loving each other would be worth the hardships and pain it could bring. I'd never get the chance to kiss her, even just once.
That last thought is enough by itself to stop me from giving in to my fear. The rest of the mine may very well be completely impassible, with no hope of getting out, but the only way to know that is to find out for myself. I grab onto one of the shovels, and confront the wall of rock and coal head on. I ignore the strain on my muscles, and my painful joints to begin moving piles of earth. I realize that it would be physically impossible to move entire pile, so instead I decide to start high up and try to flatten the slope. The only downside is that my feet are planted at different heights, meaning my balance isn't the best. I have to dig my boots in almost up to my ankles after I almost tumble backwards two or three times.
The difficulty of the task I am undertaking becomes clear after a few hours. I've manage to flatten about ten meters of the rock to the point that I can walk without hitting my head on the ceiling, but I still can't see any open space ahead of me. I continue on for another hour or so, but after that I'm too exhausted to continue. The water from Tom's thermos is quickly finished off, and I refill it with rainwater. The water is refreshing, but I've burned through so many calories and I have nothing to replenish them with. This only feeds my need to rest.
The time goes by in cycles. I dig for a few hours and then rest for a few hours. I have absolutely no idea how long I've been inside this mine, and it's beginning to wear on me significantly. While my heading isn't pounding as much, there are times when I get dizzy, which is even worse. I have to stop myself from throwing up, because I know my body couldn't take losing anything else. I'm sweaty, and dirty, and to the point where I am losing my drive to continue. I know I've covered a lot of distance, but the tunnels are long, and I'm not anywhere close to the entrance.
Soon enough, the time comes where I can longer grip the shovel. It was inevitable with the weight and amount of material I've moved in a short time. I briefly consider continuing on using my hands, but discard that idea because I know I will only end up with broken and torn fingers. I'm quickly to the point where I have no more choices left to make. I can only sit and wait. My stomach is cramping, begging for food that I can't give it. I've never felt as bad as I do at this moment. To try and counter that I think of anything I can other than being in the mine. First I think of my family, then of Katniss, then of the freedom of the forest outside District 12. If I had to die, why couldn't it be there?
I'm honestly a little surprised that I wake up again, and a part of me wishes I didn't. That is until something draws my attention. At first I swear I'm hallucinating, but then I'm not so sure. I hear what sounds like the clang of metal and the echoing of voices. I eventually decided that it isn't my imagination and I'm using all of my remaining strength to pull myself up. Running up to the rubble where I stopped digging I yell as loudly as I can. At first I hear nothing, but then I can hear voices responding to me. That's all it takes for the remaining strength that is left in my tired body to resurface. I stop yelling because I already know that other know I'm alive and trapped. I grab my shovel and start moving ground again, opting to go faster by taking smaller amounts.
It takes another hour, but eventually the tools being used on the other side become so loud that I know they can't be far. Then, the level of rock actually is to the point where it no longer touches the ceiling. I climb on my hands and knees to the highest point and throw my arms through the gap. I can't see over, but there is more scrambling. I almost cry when I feel another pair of hands grip mine strongly. And then I'm being pulled through the opening, until I see the crowd of people on the other side, all with shovels and looking on in relief. Once I'm over, another person beside me grabs my shoulders and brings be to my feet.
"Gale!" I look through the crowd until I see Thom and Bristel who seem to be beside themselves with relief. They both rush over and grip onto to help me through the rest of the mine, which looks a little battered, but not destroyed.
"What happened?" I rasp out.
"There was an explosion," Bristel explains. "Lightning struck a fuel tank and it blew. People said there was a giant fireball when it happened, but it was still burning strong when we got out."
"We're so sorry we left you Gale," Thom stammers, visibly upset. "By the time we got to the elevator and realized you weren't there, the wall had come down."
"It's fine, I don't blame you," I assure them. "It would have done no one any good staying and getting killed yourselves. Did it get anyone?"
"Three," Bristel responds solemnly. "None were from our crew. They were all working on the opposite side and got crushed."
I feel grief for them and their families, but another part of me is thankful it wasn't me. It makes my whole predicament, and the closeness of my demise all that more real for me.
"What day is it?" I finally question.
"It's Saturday, probably going on five o'clock now," Thom states. "The explosion knocked something off with the elevator and it had to be fixed before we could get down...not to mention the fire that had to be put out."
I was in the mine for three days. I survived three days in the mine by myself. It's almost impossible to wrap my mind around it. I can't understand why the mine has claimed so many others, but it spared me. It makes no sense. I'm not worth any more than those other people, more than my father. I can't explain it, but I've never felt more alive than I do at this moment.
The ride in the elevator is amazing. I can feel fresh air coming in from above us, and it gets brighter and brighter as we move up and up. Then we're there, on the surface. The doors open and I'm taken aback, first my eyes by the brightness of the sunlight and then by all of the people. I think most of the Seam is standing around just waiting for news. I even see some of the others from town. Some of the other miners are there, and they see me first and immediately a cheer goes through the crowd when everyone realizes I'm alive.
The sun and the support from those around me are like a stimulant and I feel reinvigorated, even though my body still feels beaten. I break away from Thom and Bristel who were still holding me and look around for those I most want to see. It takes me only a second to find them. I lock eyes with my mother who is crying freely, her hand over her mouth. She's been through this once, and she obviously didn't think I would be coming back either. I make my way over as fast as I can and hug her with everything I have. She just keeps repeating, "You're back," into my shoulder, and kissing my cheeks, and I let her because she's my mother and I need this as much as she does.
Eventually, I feel someone hugging my leg, and look down to see the top of Posy's head as she grips me fiercely. I reach down and lift her up like its nothing. "Everyone said you weren't coming back," she cries, and I hug her as well, trying to soothe her. After a few minutes, she calms and I set her down turning to my brothers. They both look red-eyed, but I don't point it out, instead moving first and gripping them both in a group hug. Us being men, we don't say anything, but it doesn't feel necessary right now.
We step back from each other, and I turn to the other two people standing with my family. This is the moment when I'm both confused and hurt by what I see. Prim steps up and hugs me tightly, and I hug her as well. Then Mrs. Everdeen, who I am a little surprised is here with her history after her husband's death, steps up and hug me as well. She reaches up and touches my forehead where the beam hit me. "This needs stitches, and to be cleaned out or it could get infected," she informs me. I nod at her, fully intending to let her do it after I figure something out.
I look back to Prim and raise my brows at her, and she automatically knows what I'm asking. "Don't be mad at her Gale," Prim begs me. "When she found out the mine had collapsed during school on Wednesday, she ran. She's been in the woods ever since and won't come back."
"I checked on her and took her clothes and a sleeping bag," Rory adds from next to Prim.
People are yelling after me, but I don't really care right now. I've just spent three days in hell, and words have no affect on me. I'm running, even though my legs are cursing me to halt. I brush past people rudely, but all I can do is mutter a quick apology and keep going. When I get to the fence, I don't even check it to see if it's on. I simply pull myself through and run.
She's where we normally meet. Her hair is free and blowing wildly in the breeze, and her clothes are wrinkled, but she's still the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. What concerns me is the fact that her eyes look dead. I approach slowly, because I don't want to startle her, but when I get too close her eyes turn to see me. They open wide and her mouth opens in shock. She gets on her feet and begins backing away from me.
"No. No! You're dead. Gale Hawthorne is dead." Her first words were said with conviction, but that conviction tailed off towards the end. I don't let her back away any further by gripping her by the waist and bringing her lips to mine. She's still at first, completely surprised evidenced by the gasp of breath she lets out, but then her hands come up and grip the back of my head holding me where I am. Her lips move on mine and I don't even know how to describe what I'm feeling. But if I have to survive three days underground for this feeling to happen again, then I'll gladly do it. Eventually we break apart, and I rest my forehead against hers.
"You're alive," she whispers to me.
"I'm alive," I confirm and embrace her tightly.