Release - Septiplier

Chapter Thirty Three

After Eli/Dark left, I immediately went to the small door, moving the mattress and opening it. I have to explore the rest of the tunnel now, in case there's something I can do or somehow I can get out of here through it. I hesitated before inviting Chica along, knowing she could handle the air pressure. I took the lantern with, turning it on, closing the small door behind me in case Eli came back. I have nothing left to lose now, I might as well not give a shit. 

"Careful, Chica. We don't know what's down there," I instructed as she started walking in front of me. I didn't want her to accidentally get caught on anything or waste all her energy now, when she doesn't need to. She seemed to understand and fell back in step with me as I steadily went down the tunnel, trying to keep it safe for both of us as the air grew tight. I saw the slight light in the distance, knowing it was where the grate in the ceiling was and that I'm unable to talk at this point.

We pushed forward and I felt like I was suffocating, though Chica seemed fine. She looked a little winded, but wasn't dragging herself along like I was. I was trying to keep my breathing minimal, but ended up gasping, trying to drag any air around me into my lungs. It made me feel a bit better, but Chica started panting as well, the tunnel beginning to feel hot as I walked straight into a wall. I wanted to curse loudly, but couldn't. I reached the end of the tunnel and it was just a dirt wall. 

Black spots began to work their way into my vision and I tried not to panic, beginning to search for weak spots that I might be able to get through. I started banging on the walls and ceiling, dirt covering me as I did, trying to find a way out of here. The black spots began combining with each other and I felt like I was wheezing, trying to breath, but not being able to. Did Felix feel like this when I had buried him alive in that crate? I had given him just that small pole for him to breath out of and I was given the grate in the ceiling of the tunnel. It was crazy how these events have paralleled. 

The ceiling seemed to crumble and I pushed Chica out of the way, following her as it collapsed onto the ground, dirt and dust flying into the air that I deeply wanted to take in, but didn't want to end up passing out by coughing it all out afterwards and held what little breath I had until it faded a bit. I greedily swallowed as much air as possible, looking up at the ceiling, which now exposed the beautiful night sky and Jack. My sweetheart, my love, the only person I ever want to see again. His gorgeous blue eyes, his fading green hair, his adorable smile when we made eye-contact. 

"Jack!" I practically cried out and bent to pick up Chica, lifting her up so Jack could help her get out. He took my hand afterwards and helped me get out of the hole. "How in the hell did you find me?!"

"I followed Eli and headed back to the shed to get some tools to break you out, but when I was on my way back, I heard you through the grate in the ground," He explained briefly, but I was still lost.

"How did you know I was right there?"

"You didn't know this was here? The tunnel originally linked with the floor to our shed, but it was sealed off before we moved in. It was meant to be used as a shelter from tornados," He smiled and I sighed, thankful this had a logical explanation and didn't link to another crazy story that I wouldn't be able to handle right now. I hugged Jack tightly, making him wheeze slightly, but giggle. I was confused as to why he wasn't more upset about any of this.

"I'm so happy to see you," I sighed deeply and he pulled away, smiling. "Why aren't you so upset over everything? You heard what Eli said, didn't you? And I know he hit you."

"I'm fine," He swore and chewed on his bottom lip. "Don't be mad..."

"Oh, fuck, that doesn't sound good," I sighed. "What is it?"

"I've been smoking weed," He admitted and scratched the back of his head, that was now dirty because of my hug. I smiled sadly at him and hugged him again. "You aren't mad?"

"No. At least it's not meth," I looked on the bright side, though it still pained me to think he felt he needed to use drugs in order to cope with whatever is going on. "When did you start smoking? Are you going to stop? Are you still using cigarettes? Don't leave me hanging here."

"How about I tell you later, okay? We have bigger problems right now."

"Are you high right now?" I asked, avoiding everything other than him and his problems. 

"I smoked after I took a walk with Eli and then I got a little paranoid and decided to try and find you. I knew you weren't at the vet with Chica, I just didn't know where to even start looking, so I followed Eli," He explained a bit, but there were still parts to the puzzle I needed to solve. It didn't matter now though. All that matters is that we finish this story.

"Do you know where he is right now?" I asked and he shrugged.

"Looking for me, I think."

"Jack!" A voice called in the distance and I groaned a bit, wishing I could just catch a break. The voice was clearly Eli's. 

"Fuck, we have to get out of here. Got your phone on you? We should call Ida and ask her what to do, she might be able to help. Felix is still around, I think, maybe he can help too. We can't do this on our own, sweetheart," I shook my head and he went to hug me, slipping his phone into my hand as he did. 

"We'll be okay, Mark. Don't worry," He assured me and though he was high and might've already forgotten what was going on, it still soothed me. 

"Kisses?" 

"Kisses," He smiled and kissed my cheek as I went to search through his contacts, Eli shouting for my boyfriend in the near distance, his voice getting louder and clearer as each minute went by. We're definitely fucked.