Page 32 of Survivor
No schematics. No compass. No aid. They expected me to rely on my wits to get to where I needed to be. Thank God Xavier had pulled a map of the network of tunnels. Thank God I’d had several hours to study it.
It was burned into my memory because taking it with me wasn’t an option. There would be cameras down there broadcasting the show, and seeing me with a map would label me a cheater and disqualify me.
I closed my eyes and pictured the tunnels. My route was mapped in my head. The quickest route to the exit, the one they didn’t want you to find because it involved using one of the hidden access routes. I’d make sure to stumble on it and act surprised. Had to put on a show for Braker. I had to win.
The lift came to a juddering halt. The doors opened, and darkness greeted me.
“This is your stop,” Jaron said.
When I’d arrived in this lift, I’d wanted to get out as soon as possible, but now the lift was safety. I didn’t want to step into the darkness.
Jaron cleared his throat. “He’s not heartless, you know. Braker … he’s a good guy.”
Why did it sound like he was trying to convince himself?
I looked up at him. “I don’t care what he is, as long as he pays me once I win.”
I stepped out of the lift, into the square of amber light cast by it, and stood stock-still as the lift doors closed, eating up the light.
Absolute darkness surrounded me, and then red light bloomed, illuminating a steel door. The room I was in was tiny, six by six. Panic gripped me.
No. Rein it in. I was about to go into tunnels. It would be cramped, but if I kept moving, I’d be okay. This wasn’t a cell. This wasn’t Vesper.
Static assaulted my ears, and then Larcen’s voice filled the tiny space. “Patrons, now is the time. The stage has been set. The prize awaits. But who will claim it? Watch and cheer for your favorites. Place your bets and hold your breath. Let the games begin.”
The door began to open.
“Contestants, please enter the arena.”
There had to be cameras in here. The arena was watching us. How far away were the others? There were several entrances to the network beneath the Cogs. They could be anywhere.
I needed to focus on the map. On the route in my head. If I could get to the slip pipe, then I was home free. No one knew about it. I’d bypass them all and make it to the exit.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped through the door.
* * *
Ten minutes in. No attack. Good. I moved fast, silent. The tunnels were wide enough for three bodies in places, and in others, they were barely wide enough for one. My route was blinking in my mind.
Another fifteen minutes and I’d be at the slip access, and then I was home free. How long was this gauntlet meant to last?
It didn’t matter. It wasn’t my job to prolong it. Braker had set me up as prey, but if the others didn’t find me, it wasn’t my fault. We had a deal, and he’d have to pay up or look like a renegade.
I ducked to avoid a thick pipe jutting out of the wall. It had been hidden in shadow. Boot falls echoed toward me. Someone headed this way? Shit. There was nowhere to hide, not the way I’d come and not up ahead. But the lights were dim down here with plenty of shadows. The pipe …
It would have to do. I grabbed it and hauled myself up onto it, lying flush against it.
The boot falls grew louder, and a figure appeared below me. Pincer guy.
He paused for a moment a few feet away from the pipe.
Don’t look up. Don’t look up.
A clatter echoed throughout the tunnels, and he fell into a crouch, growled, and then shot off toward the sound.
Long seconds ticked by, and when I was sure he wasn’t coming back this way, I lowered myself to the ground.
Ten more minutes. I could be safe in ten more minutes. Fewer if I ran.
