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Part 13: Close Your Eyes

I've called him twelve times.

He hasn't picked up.

There areChemicals pouring out into the Dam from the cooling system. Apparently it had been going on all day, but it hit hardest just after I left with the girls .

These chemicals are highly dangerous.

It can not only irritate the eyes, lungs, nose and throat, but it can leave chemical burns on the skin and lead to cancer if over exposed.

Or worse.

Death.

Max must've become exposed.

He's somewhere in the Dam right now.

Lord only knows where.

Pulling up in front of the building, I race from the car and people are being pulled out on stretchers and in wheelchairs. I don't see Max anywhere.

Bloom.

"Lauren!! Lauren!!" She turns in every which way to try and find me from her wheelchair. Her eyes are red and puffy and her skin has small blisters rising to the surface.

"Helen!!"

"Lauren, are you alright?!"

"I can't see very well...."

"Max- do you know where he is?! I can't get ahold of him!"

"Last thing I knew...he was looking for the leak. He already checked the roof...that only leaves..."

"The sub floors...I gotta go!"

"Helen- you can't go in there..." It's too late, pushing passed everyone, I go running towards the stairwell and I hustle down the stairs. I need to find him. I need to get to him.

Opening the door to the basement, I run through the darkened chambered halls and feel heavy.

"Max!!!! Max!!!!" I run as fast as I can towards the machine room. As I pass one hall, my eyes catch something out of the corner of them. "Max!!!"

Laying on the floor, his eyes are watering and he seems weak and lost almost.

"Max!! I'm here!" Grabbing a hold of him, I know I need to get him out. "Help!!!"

Taking my phone out, I try to call someone for help, but my phone has no service down here.

I need to get him to the exterior door. Grabbing his arms, I step out of my shoes and I start pulling him down the hall.

"Max...I need you to stay with me...please!!!" I groan as I hustle backwards towards the exit.

Looking over my shoulder, I am only a few yards away.

"Max!! Come on! I need you!" I cry and pull him.

Just as we're about to get to the door, I trip on my dress and fall onto my arse.

I can't hardly hold him with my cast and I'm out of energy and strength. Going to the wall, I find the fire alarm and I hit it. That'll send someone in. Water starts pouring from the sprinklers and all I can do is sit next to Max and hold him.

"Come on...please...Max, I need you..." I hold his face upward so the water falls on his eyes to hopefully calm them. Checking his pulse, he's still here, but just barely. "Max...please...
you're not done here. You're not done...Baby, I love you..."

I kiss his lips and my tears come down my face and melt with the water on his cheeks.

"I love you...please, Baby...please- stay with me." I hear the door behind us open and in comes fireman with a board. "Help!! Please!!"