Chapter 11 · Under Iron Gate

The tunnel smelled like rust and corpses.

I kept my hand on Cole's shoulder, half dragging him through the dark. His breathing was shallow, uneven. Every few steps he stumbled and I had to catch him before he went down. The flashlight in my other hand barely cut through the dust hanging in the air.

"Stay with me," I said. My voice bounced off the concrete walls.

Cole didn't answer. Bad sign.

Behind us, the tunnel entrance was a black hole. No footsteps. No voices. Maybe Hammer's crew hadn't found the mechanic's hidden door yet. Maybe they were waiting for us at the other end. Either way, we were committed now.

The tunnel sloped down. Water dripped somewhere ahead. I could hear it echoing, steady and cold. My boots splashed through something that didn't feel like water. I didn't look down.

"How much further?" Cole's voice came out thin.

"Don't know. Old man said it runs under the whole ridge."

"Great."

He was trying to sound tough. It wasn't working. The kid's shirt was soaked through with blood on the left side.