Chapter 26 · Deep Space Dead-End

"Don't you dare stop!" Kael's hand locked around my wrist and yanked so hard my shoulder popped, dragging me forward as the bulkhead behind us blew.

"You said this way was clear!" I shouted, boots skidding on the deck. Sparks rained down on my neck, hot and biting.

"It was clear five minutes ago!" he snapped. "Now move! Move!"

The whole corridor screamed. Alarms howled. Red emergency lights strobed and the air stank like burnt plastic and ozone.

We ran. My lungs burned. My pain circuits were firing again, that low, grinding throb behind my teeth that never really stops. Kael was breathing too hard, too loud.

"Left!" he yelled. "Service shaft, left!"

"That's a dead end on the schematics!" I yelled back.

"Do you have a better idea?" He didn't wait for an answer. He just pulled.

I let him. His palm was sweaty, hot against my cold skin. His fingers trembled. Not from fear. From whatever ghost was choking him right now.

We hit the service shaft. He slammed the hatch control. Nothing. He hit it again, fist hammering the panel.

"Come on, come on, you piece of junk," he muttered.

"Kael." I grabbed his arm. "Behind us."