24 Hours

Chapter 2.

Atticus quickly drops to the ground and moves to the man who's struggling to contain the blinding pain shooting through his body. " I am so sorry!" Atticus quickly picks up his torch and surveys the man's protruding body to check if he hadn't made it worse. I haven't even asked the guy's name, "Hey, are you okay?"

The man stifles out the words "Just about!"

"Hey, what's your name?"

"Joseph" I am going to die in this place! "Please leave me!"

"Atticus." He holds the man's hand tightly "I have got to get you out of here now as I don't think we have long before this part of the tunnel collapses. I am going to try one more time friend." Atticus quickly finds his way over to the part of the wall pinning Joseph's leg down and grabs the metal pole, grips it tightly, and pushes downwards with all his might! Joseph screams again as the wall lifts, but the pain quickly subsides as the pressure is off his legs; Atticus strains as he shouts, "Can you move?"

"Yes!"

Joseph quickly scrambles to sit up as the top half of him is okay and begins to slowly drag himself backward.

Atticus who is now under immense strain shouts, "it's slipping!" Atticus is trembling, if I drop this...

Joseph feels a wave of dizziness and pain hit him, I'm going to be sick, no, just move! Joseph stares at Atticus quickly and sees his blood-red face and the sweat cascading down his face and arms; I have got to go now, or I am gone, last chance Joseph!

Boom!

Atticus hangs his head down, his face bright red from the stain, his eyes bulging and bloodshot and the dust engulfs him; he can't see the wall or Joseph, tears in his eyes. The noise had happened just as Atticus's strength gave in. I just couldn't hold on anymore...

"JOSEPH!"

.........X........