Above

7

Estelle
I survived eight trials until I was stabbed in the back by Yeeva. Kind of ironic.
Nonetheless, I wake up gasping, fingers grasping at bedsheets.
Bedsheets?
I look around, the hospital room I was miraculously moved to was completely empty, well, for at least a few minutes.
Leeciy walks in, obviously sleep-deprived and stressed.
"What's going on?" I ask.
"Oh, you're awake. I thought I was going to have to carry you down." He says.
"Down where?" I ask.
"Oh, Cirus saw another thing." He says. "The US is going to gas bomb Willowdale."
"Wait what?" I sit up quickly, wincing as a headache pounds against my skull.
"Take it easy." Leeciy murmurs. "You aren't exactly at your prime health."
"Wait, what do you mean?" I ask.
He shrugs. "You've been out for a week."
"A week?" My eyes widen.
"Annaliesee says it was probably because you had to do your spiritual adventure after your first move." Leeciy explains.
"What have I missed?" I ask.
"Nothing really, Cirus freaked out and we mined out a place so we can all survive." He says. "Do you need help standing?"
I shake my head. "I've got it." My feet hit the floor, and I push myself off the bed.
Leeciy stands next to me, waiting to catch me.
He doesn't have to. Suprisingly, I'm only a little lightheaded.
"Where's this mine?" I ask.
He smirks. "Allow me to show you."
***
They'd mined out a big room under Willowdale, which wouldn't hold all of our Pangaeans, which is where the bunkers come in.
"When are they dropping the bombs?" I ask.
"Six." Leeciy says, his voice echoing off the walls.
"Okay." I look around.
He grabs my shoulder. "You okay?"
I look up at him. "Huh?"
"Was your spiritual journey traumatic?" He asks.
"I mean, isn't it supposed to be?" I ask, back.
"How many trials did you get through?" He asks. "I got through fourteen."
"Yeah but that's because you have the mark." I say.
"Yeah, you markless plebes average at five." He laughs. "But seriously, how many trials?"
"Eight." I answer. "It's nothing compared to your fourteen."
"Eight?" He asks. "That's really good, Estelle!"
"Yeah, sure." I say, crossing my arms.
"Really, that's good." He says, nudging my shoulder.
"You died in my trials." I say, very suddenly.
He blinks. "I did?"
"Twice." I say. "In one, it was suggested that you died. In my last trial you were shot, then Yeeva stabbed me in the back." I explain.
"Kinda ironic." He says.
I nod. "That's what I thought."
He pulls his phone out of his pocket and checks the time. "We should probably start moving stuff down here."
"Okay." I say, looking down at my clothes. "I should probably shower."
***
Cirus was sitting on the cot we were moving, having a joyous time jumping up and down.
"Not really helping girly." September says, appearing behind me.
"I can't even do anything." She says.
Leeciy and I set the cot on the ground, scooting it against the wall.
Cirus hops off the cot. "Why'd you put your hair up?" She asks me.
"Well, I want to help, and I don't want it to get in the way." I say, pushing a loose strand behind my ear.
She grabs her long hair. "My hair doesn't get in the way."
"It got in your breakfast this morning." September says.
Leeciy nods.
"Maybe you need a haircut?" I suggest.
She shakes her head, running away.
September follows behind her.
"How many more cots?" I ask.
"We're out of cots, a few of us will have to sleep on the floor." He says. "Now we need to get the canned foods."
I make an disgusted noise and start walking up. "How many people are down there?"
"Twenty-five in the cave, the rest in the bunkers." He says.
"Are we in the cave?" I ask.
He nods. "Well, Cirus and I are, I don't know about you."
"Well, consider me in." I say.
Leeciy checks his phone again. "Four."
"Two hours?" I ask.
He nods, grabbing a box of cans.
"We better hurry."
***
5:50 rolls around and everyone is safely in the cave.
I'm currently making rounds, checking peoples names before we close the stone doors that were crafted by one of the techy Pangaeans.
Fran and Cirus sit together, cirus drawing while Frab combs out her hair.
"Hi sweetheart." Fran smiles.
I wave, grinning. "Hi Fran."
"Hello Estelle." Cirus says, looking up at me.
"Hi Cirus." I say.
Fran continues combing her hair. "How are you, dear?"
"I'm good, busy, but good." I say.
"Busy is good, keeps you from worrying." She says, beginning to braid Cirus's hair.
I shrug. "Yeah, I guess."
"How's Leeciy?" She asks, not looking up.
"I mean, he looks stressed, but I'm guessing it's because this whole fiasco." I say, doodling in the margins of the paper.
She nods. "I'm well." She says, putting a hair-tie in Cirus's hair.
"Thank you Fran!" Cirus says, before running away.
"Such a sweetie." Fran says. "Can I expect one from you soon?"
"You do realize my boyfriend died two months ago?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Oh." She says. "Melissa's pregnant though, so I guess I can count on it."
"She is?" I ask. "Good for Ned."
"Yes, I'm excited to knit little baby outfits." She gushes.
I grin. "Anyway, do you know where Luca is, I have to check off his name yet."
"I haven't seen Luca, I'm guessing he's still above." She says.
The sentence sets off alarm bells in my head.
I drop my clipboard and run.
***
By the time I'm at the door, they're getting ready to shut it.
I press my hand on the concrete holding it open, looking around for Luca.
I spot him instantly.
He was running toward the entrance like his life depended on it. It did.
The running wasn't enough, because as he neared the entrance he fell, and the first bomb landed.