Trapezoid (The Base)

Chapter 10

Like a flash on lightning in the dark, she felt a shock of amazement course through her. "Thank You," she whispered hoarsely. She dove forward on the ground to where the rushing air came from, the throbbing in her knees hardly noticeable anymore.

Her fingers brushed over the open metal shutters of the air ventilator. She giggled in excitement. It was the size of a car window. It was possible to squeeze through. She tugged at one of the shutter pieces, but to no avail. "Mr. Stevens."

He was at her side almost instantly. He tugged at it almost furiously. Stopping for a moment, he said, "Move aside, Hopper."

Hugging herself against the chill, her teeth still chattered. Even though she felt he was rather rude, she did as he asked—even though he didn't even thank her for the discovery. Anyway, she also wanted out—now.

.....................................................................

Levi lay down on his back on the ground. This had to work. He had thought chances were dead to being back in the law service. Now they had revived. A stubborn metal thing was not going to stand in the way now. He drove his booted heel against it with all he had, and the squeak of the metal told him the screws had given way. He continued on persistently until he heard it completely give way. He went on his knees, clearing the scraps of metal out of the way. He tried entering and was delighted that his body could fit through. He backed out. "Go ahead, Hopper." He was trying to be polite and somehow make a thank offering.

"No." Her tone was defiant.

He shrugged and went ahead. As he inched forward as he crawled in a snake-like manner in the dark. His shoulders feeling snug against the walls and claustrophobia threatening to kick him, reminded him of another place and time. Crawling forward on his arms, and pushing forward with his toes, he felt the ground had rough debris. Something sliced the sleeve of his long-sleeved cotton shirt. His mind brought back to memory the sound of bombs exploding above him. He could almost smell the smoke of the fire that chased his buddy, Chris and him down the tunnel. He hardly noticed Hopper was right behind him......

"Move, Snipe! Move!" Chris voice echoed in his head. He could almost hear him coughing from inhaling smoke. Levi felt sweat dripping down his brow. Chris had insisted Levi go on ahead, but by that, he was putting himself at risk. Levi could remember the smoke biting his eyes, making them water.

Rounding a corner, the silvery light of the moon created a stronger urge to move faster. A few minutes later, the only thing in the way to freedom was a rusted mesh. He hoped it was corroded enough to just collapse with one blow because there was no way he could turn around to kick it down. The roar of the flames was so close; Levi didn't want to see what made his friend shriek in pain. He pressed heavily and steadily on the mesh with his palms. It gave way almost instantly.

He scrambled out and pulled his friend out. He beat the flame off his leg and draped Chris' arm over his shoulder. Moving as fast as his feet could take him, Levi made as much distance as he could to the burning building. The orange glow that lit up the night illuminated around them, and the deafening explosion knocked them to the ground.

Levi could hear his heart hammering in his chest. He waited for another explosion. None came. Feeling it a bit safe to move, he urged his friend, "Dude, we gotta move."

No response.

He shrugged him off. He patted him on the cheek to wake him. "Chris, buddy, wake up!"

With a shudder, Levi took in the sight of his partner's body. A leg was missing. His heart breaking, his hand shakily covered the place where a right arm once was. The vacant dark eyes testified of the flight of life. Denying what he saw, he reached for his friend's throat for a pulse with a blood covered hand. Nothing. His vision clouding over with tears, Levi fumbled to get the dog necklace off, grief threatening to overtake him.

For the few moments he helplessly gazed at the lifeless body, clenching the tag in his fist, all the chaos around him a blur. The one who saved his life more than once, he was not able to save even once. The one who was by him no matter what, Levi had let him talk him into going ahead. For the one whom Levi heard pray earnestly to a God claimed to love, his God had let die in an appalling way. "Tell me why He let this, Chris."

Helicopters overhead shot any moving thing below. A shot to Chris chest made him twitch. He grinned sardonically. He brushed his hand over his friend's eyes, closing them. He stood up rigidly. Tearing his eyes from the still ghastly form, he started running. A shot to the shoulder could not slow him down.

Maybe it was best if he never saw Chris again—his grave would be a constant reminder of a life wasted in love and service of a God who didn't care about the one follower who Levi knew was fully devoted to Him.

But he knew he would forever miss him.

........................................................

As if waking from a dream, Levi blinked and turned his gaze from the stars down to the gentle concerned eyes looking up at him. "Mr. Stevens?"

As he soaked in admiration the gentleness in those green eyes, he was struck with how much Hopper was so much like Christopher Rodriguez. The two had nothing physically in common—but there was something. Hopper was emotionally fiery, and Chris not so much. Chris had been olive-skinned with dark hair and eyes and here Hopper was fairer-skinned with blonde hair. The only thing in common was clear—they had one God.

His demeanor chilled.

.......................................................

The way his gorgeous eyes locked on hers in a sort of amazement and the haunted look combined, made her heart warm with compassion. She never dreamed she'd see that vulnerable look in a guy like him.

Having crawled out of the tunnel and seeing his tall frame still and looking up at the stars, she had thought he was taking in the glory of the night. She'd taken a place at his side, wanting to partake in it too. But having looked up into his eyes, she'd seen he was somewhere else. His fists were clenched at his sides, the pulse in his neck visible, and the muscles in his jaw stiff. It was as if he was reliving a nightmare in his mind. For all the appearance of his demeanor, Chris knew something haunted him—something he wanted to forget but couldn't. And by the way his eyes were on hers, it was something she reminded him of.

Was it wrong to so suddenly want to help him somehow? Her eyes filled. His were filled with thought. She instinctively placed her hand on his arm. But regretted seconds later when his eyes went back to the chill they were before.

Her hand dropped from his arm.

"I gotta take you to your dorm," he stated flatly.

Okay, if this chapter were in paper, it would have collected dust. I spent a few days trying to polish it up. Please tell me what y'all think!