Saving Me 》 Bellamy Blake {Book Two}

Chapter Twenty-Two: Hearts Keep Beating

Chapter Song is "Untitled" by Simple Plan

Merry Christmas and happy holidays everyone! I wanted to get this one posted for you all today as my way of saying thank you for reading. This is the last chapter before the epilogue and after 89, 163 words and 196 pages, Saving Me has come to an end. Thank you all so much for taking the time to read this and I hope all of you will continue on and read the next book in this series, Finding Me. Things are only going to get better from here!

Warning for violence and death in this one!

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There was an audible gasp and small squeal when the power went out, otherwise the four traveling through the vents remained silent. Maya was the gasp, Jasper the squeal. Jamie and Bellamy both knew better and froze. Neither moved until the backup generator kicked on and the lights came back.

When they finally reached the vent that led to the hallway where Monty was, they had to wait for several stragglers trying to seek refuge in the safe zone. Bellamy waited with his fingers on the grate, ready for removal. Jamie hovered right behind him, eyes open and alert despite the lack of sleep she'd had.

Bellamy's fingers lifted the grate and they all climbed from the vent, weapons ready.

"We don't have much time." Bellamy stated, looking around as the last to climb out got situated. "The last twelve are on this level."

"Including Monty." Jasper added, turning to Maya to ask, "which way?"

She pointed down the hall confidently and with a small nod replied, "this way."

They all started following the hallway with Bellamy up front and Jamie bringing up the rear. A man on the PA system didn't faze Jasper or Bellamy as they continued walking but Jamie stopped when Maya did.

"Attention! Class one quarantine protocols are now in effect. All citizens must report to level five immediately. Hard seal lockdown in t-minus thirty minutes and counting."

When Maya's brow furrowed in concern Jamie took a reassuring step towards her. "Hey, it's going to be okay."

Maya's eyes were locked on Jasper as he shifted closer. "You're gonna be okay. We're not gonna let anything happen to you. Will we?"

He glanced at Bellamy and received a quick shake of the head in reply.

Once again Jamie stepped closer to her. "Maya, listen to me. We're going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe, all right?"

Maya's gaze softened as she stared at Jamie and a worried frown appeared on her face. "In thirty minutes, all backup power gets diverted for species continuity. That means level five for life support and security. Radiation will seep in everywhere else and I can't go to level five without being shot in the head."

"Guys, we need to keep moving." Bellamy intercepted.

"We'll get you your hazmat suit, extra oxygen, enough to last until the engineers get the power back on." Jasper continued, eyes unfocused and wide in alarm.

Maya glanced at Jamie and shrugged. "And then what? You think Cage Wallace is going to let me live here after that?"

The announcement on the PA system repeated and Jamie shifted nervously beside Jasper.

Jasper's expression was stern as he replied, "then we kill him."

All eyes went to him but Jamie quickly nodded in support. "He's not going to let any of us leave. Not without-"