24 Hours

Chapter 6.

Atticus surveys the doorway to the right, which is ajar. Is there someone else down here, another survivor maybe? Atticus ponders on this thought and turns to John and says "What do you say partner, want to take this door? There might be a staircase behind the door?

Joseph looks across to the right and says,

"We don't know how many bombs have gone off and where or when the tunnel ends, so lead on my friend, the shortest possible route with this leg..."

Joseph and Atticus take the door and to both their delight it's a stairwell and straight ahead is a big green sign which says exit with the arrow pointing upwards. Atticus can see the look of sheer relief on Joseph's face at this point and to be fair he was relieved too. Could this horror finally be coming to an end?

"Atticus, I'm going to struggle with these stairs!"

"Don't worry friend, I will carry you. I never thought I would have to fireman's lift someone, sorry friend but I hoped if I did, it would be a hot lady, but I don't mind being your..."

Joseph laughs as he and Atticus say at the same time;

"My big strong hero!"

As the laughter dies down, they are greeted with a strange noise which sounds like a large, lump landing awkwardly, but the thoughts of the sound quickly dissipate as the thoughts of escape engulf their actions.

Atticus lifts Joseph over his shoulder and begins the slow descent up the stairs, "Are you, okay friend? Tell me if you need to stop"

Joseph grunts as the pain engulfs him once more, with each step the pain sears through his body like a hot bullet as it rampages towards his brain. Unbeknown to them both, the large lump starts to move slowly in the shadows of the stairwell!

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