Page 73 of Last Girls Alive
“Let me try to get to you,” he said, moving slowly and carefully, pushing bits of wood and metal out of the way.
Katie tried to stand but was unable.
Banging resounded all around them—like several hammers trying to pound the container.
“What is that?” she said with her hands over her ears.
“Someone is trying to get to us.”
“Is that the good guys or bad?” She tried to make light of it, but the truth was she was scared. Pushing to stay focused, she kept her mind at how to get out of their predicament.
“I’m putting my money on the good guys,” he said, bringing Katie’s mind into the present. “But we’ll make prep as if it’s the bad guys.”
“Like what?” Katie didn’t really want to know but she needed to hear his voice to keep calm. The darkness was unsettling, making her cold and jumpy.
“You know,” he said above the scraping sound of him moving something out of the way. “Good news, I found my gun. It actually hit me during the tumble. Normally, I would make a joke but I’ll just leave it as is…”
Katie smiled.
“Keep talking,” he said. “Let me get to you.”
A huge bang rammed the side, shaking the entire metal container. Then it stopped, followed by a strange hissing sound. Muffled voices. Then more hissing.
Katie then saw the flickering light of an oxyacetylene torch, used to cut open heavy metal. Someone was there to help.
“Katie?” McGaven said.
“How’d they get here so fast?”
“Maybe Chad?”
“You’re right.”
“Hey! We’re in here!” she yelled.
“We’re right here. Help!” McGaven followed Katie’s example.
“Help!”
There was no reply from outside.
McGaven reached out to touch Katie and she startled beneath his hand. “Sorry,” he said.
The flashing orange-and-white lights had stopped.
“Take my hand,” he said. “Show me where your foot is stuck.”
Katie moved his hand to what appeared to be a block of wood.
“Okay,” he began. “I think this is part of the mantel that broke in half.”
“Can you move it?”
“I’m not sure,” he said and his voice sounded funny, weak and wheezy.
“You okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just a bit dizzy.”
