Page 78 of Coup De Grâce
Now that things had settled just a little, I took a moment to think it over. The guys were out of town helping Cash, which left us vulnerable. It had to be the same people.
“Shadow Government,” I whispered. “It has to be them.”
“But why are they attacking us?” Sarah asked. “We are literally doing nothing but sitting in our homes.”
“That’s why they’re attacking. To send a message.”
Except, not everyone was here. There were still some of us on the outside, and they didn’t have the luxury of the panic room to keep them safe.
“Cotton,” I whispered. “Oh my God. He’s still out there!”
“Maybe he’s safe. Maybe they haven’t found him.”
“You don’t think the Shadow Government is out there right now burning down all our houses?” I asked hysterically. “Everything we’ve fought for is being destroyed and what are we doing? Cowering in an elevator!”
“It’s not like we have equipment or the know-how to get out of here,” Sarah snapped. “What do you want us to do? Go out there and fight with our bare hands?”
“Better that than hanging around here waiting for the cable to snap and plunge us to our deaths!”
“Alright, everyone, just calm down!” Quinn shouted.
The silence was immediate. All that could be heard was the ragged breathing as we all struggled not to panic. Well, everyone except Harry, who was snickering behind his camera.
“His camera,” I murmured, an idea striking me hard and fast. “His camera! Someone’s out there watching right now!”
“Great. They can watch our untimely deaths,” Quinn muttered.
“No! Don’t you see? Someone is watching. They must know we’re really in trouble and they can come help us!” I grabbed the camera and jerked it to face me. “If you’re out there, this isreal. This is not a show and we really are about to die a very unfortunate death in an elevator.”
“God,” Harry chuckled. “Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. You’re such a method actor.”
I ignored him and pressed on. “Anyone. Please, if you get this, I’m Zoe Warren and this is a desperate plea for help. We’re stuck in an elevator in an old missile silo in Kansas. If you don’t come soon, we’re going to suffocate down here or have our brains smashed up.”
“Or I might kill you if you don’t stop talking,” Quinn muttered.
Tears filled my eyes as I looked into the camera intently. “Please. Our lives depend on it.”
“Maybe you should try pleading again,”Sarah yawned. “God, I’m getting tired. Do you think that’s a lack of oxygen?”
I felt tired too, but it was more of a bone-weary tired from fighting so hard with nothing to show for it. “For what it’s worth, Quinn, I really didn’t mean to throw a knife into your leg.”
“It’s okay. The pain reminds me I’m still alive.”
I snorted in amusement as I stared up at the dark ceiling. We were all using each other as pillows. Well, everyone but Harry and the cameraman. They were relegated to the corner of the elevator after Harry laughed one too many times about our situation.
Hours had passed and no one had come for us. Did they really think it was a movie? That we weren’t really in desperate need of help?
“Ladies, not that this isn’t really building the intensity of the situation, but perhaps we could move the storyline ahead?” Harry prodded.
“How about you shut your hole, Harry?” Sarah sighed.
The red from the light was starting to flicker, making me feel like I was in the red light district.
“Do you think I would have made a good stripper?”
Quinn rolled her head to look at me. “What made you think of that?”
I nodded at the red light. “I don’t think I’ve got the legs for it.”
