The Passing

Chapter Twenty-Eight

We scurry blindly in the dark, stumbling over each other and our own feet far longer than I thought this hallway led on. The soles of my feet burn and my limbs throb after being immobile for too long. Despite how far we are from the cells, the putrid smell of death seems to follow me everywhere. Jane's pace comes to a careful walk as Tatum stops way ahead of us. Although we cannot see through the dark, their keys no longer jostle in their pocket and their hands rap along something metal.

"I found it!" They say, their voice only growing closer. Unsure of exactly what I should be expecting, every muscle contracts, tightening up as my first line of defense, although I doubt I could put up any fight right now. However, as Tatum pushes at the metal covering, light floods the hallway with fierce bright light. My eyes sting, forcing themselves closed as Jane leads me closer to the opening. I feel her hand drop from mine, and fear instantly comes creeping back.

"You'll have to crawl through. It should be clear on the other side." Tatum explains to her, and soon, I feel her hand slip back into mine.

"Come on," she says softly, helping me ease myself down to the ground. "I'll be right in front of you, okay?" I nod, using only my sense of touch as I follow her through the narrow opening.

The fresh air hits my face with a cool breeze, and my eyes flutter through the sun's rays. It isn't until now, here wherever the other side is, that I realize how dark it was there. No windows, just little slivers of light that slipped through the ceiling above our heads. Creeping to my feet, I blink through the streams my eyes pour out as they painfully adjust to the light.

Slowly, I turn on my heels, taking in all that surrounds me as Jane turns back to help Azrael and Tatum. The opening we crawled from sits at the base of a large grassy mound. Surrounding it about a foot wide, is trimmed grass; really obvious given all the dense overgrowth that exceeds beyond its tamed limits. The forest stands at a distance, its front line an uneven row of mismatched trees has never been more welcoming.

Behind me, dirt scuffs, and I turn back fast. As Jane pulls Azrael from the opening, his eyes start to flutter. "Tatum, he's waking up." she spits out quickly, carefully resting Azrael in the trimmed grass. Tatum hurries from the opening, returning the covering at once before going to Azrael and Jane. All I can manage is one step forward before my entire body screams at me to run.

"Let's give him some space," Tatum suggests, their voice softening at the sight of Azrael coming to. They both take a couple steps back, coming to stand one foot in front of me. Jane, with an arm crossed over her chest, bites at her thumb as she watches.

Azrael sits up, groaning as if ridden with pain. His eyes squeeze tight before he gradually tries to open them, flashing his silvery iris' at his hands. All at once, his peaceful demeanor vanishes and absolute panic takes over. Complusing in the dirt, Azrael thrashes his body, desperately trying to rub the thick dried blood that coats his body. His body is overtaken by sobs and he crumbles down into the dirt. Jane startles, her hands shoot up covering her mouth. Almost like she expected him to be okay after all that he did. Like it should've been normal to him.

Tatum remains calm, steady, despite the storm around them, and glances back to me with a serious expression. "You three need a place to hide until I get back with the others."

"Others?" I look between them and Jane, only more confused than before. Jane nods, already knowing exactly who I'm talking about.

"I'll have time to explain everything once I get back. Can you get somewhere safe?" they ask, not moving an inch until I answer.

"Yeah, I can do that." I stutter, still full of uncertainty.

They nod, speeding over to Jane to whisper something in her ear. Her expression shifts, but to exactly what I'm not sure. And just as swiftly as they came and rescued Azrael and I, they hurry back through the narrow opening and the metal covering is returned. Jane glances back to me, squinting through the bright rays of sun as she waits for me to lead the way. And without any other choice, I do.