Mines

Chapter Sixteen

Apparently, before I was sent to the mines, there was a group of five miners who signal handedly dug a network of tunnels throughout the mines leading to various locations throughout the quarry. The miners were all caught and executed eventually, but the British still has no idea where each of the tunnel starts and ends, or even where they are located. So... I guess it's my job to find out. It's my only idea, find the tunnels, then... then I'll work it out as I go.

After what I estimate to be about six hours, I open the back door of the truck and prepare myself to jump off when the moment presents itself. I can feel the vehicle slowing down as we approach the huge excavation, and trailing besides it is the path that leads to the Captain's base. I fling myself off, and with a muffled crunch I land in a sand dune and roll down the side. Looking up at the sky, I'd say it's about noon by now, so I have to hurry. If I want to arrive in time to save Washington and the others. I pull myself up, and limp towards the quarry, keeping my distance so no one can spot me at the top, although everyone should be in the mines by now. I don't even know where to start looking for the secret entrance to the tunnels. So I decide to walk around the ring of the quarry, although the British must have already done this and it'd waste about an hour. I do it anyways because it's the only lead I have. An hour later I'm hot, sweaty, and bleeding again. I collapse on top of a sand dune, pulling off my hood and gasping in the heat. Let them find me. I think. No. Let me die right here. I clench my fist, and place a hand on my shaking arm. No, I have to stay strong. I can do this. For Lafayette, for Hercules. For Alex. For everyone else who is counting on me weather they know it or not. I lift myself up and head back around, looking for clues I might have overlooked the first time around. About fifteen minutes in, I see a stone concealed by sand. The stone is heavy enough that it won't blow away in a stand storm, and looks innocent enough that no one would notice it. I pick it up and turn it over in my hands and pause when I see deep scratches on the bottom.
There is no entrance on the outside.
I know what that means. It means, I have to go inside the quarry to find the entrance.

I push a heavy metal cart filled with stones down a rocky passage way light by torchlight. It seems like a useless task, but I should be glad for the excuse of work filling my brain with instructions on what to do next instead of thinking about Washington's death tonight. Along with others, most likely Eliza, Angelica, and Peggy since they have no use in the mines because they are females, and the only females I've seen work in the nurses office. Doubt they need more, and it's not exactly like they can send them away and pretend like everything's fine. Because it's not. It's not fine. I jump as someone, or something grabs my ankle, and bring down my foot on a hand before I can stop myself.
"Ouch! Hey I'm pretty banged up already, don't go breaking my hand too." a familiar voice hisses in a hushed voice. I don't believe it. I crouch down because my knees are shaking.
"John?" I ask, whispering as well. There's a crack, or more like a whole in the stone wall. Not enough for someone to fit through, but enough to reach out your hand. And it's easy to overlook. I have no idea how he got in there.
"Alex, listen, there's not much time I-" John starts but I cut him off,
"No wait, first tell me how you're alive, because I thought you were dead, and so did the British." I say.
"I'm not priority," John says. "Alex, I came back to help you save Washington and your other friends. Thats what you want right?" I have misjudged him. I thought John was selfish and only taught to benefit himself, but I was so wrong. He fooled the British into getting him out by faking his own death, he had a chance at freedom, but he came back to help me.
"Why?" I ask.
"Because it's the right thing to do, okay? I know your heart is in the right place, and if this is what you really want then I'll help you succeed." John answers, but while he might be selfless, he's not a good lier.
"And?" I question, smiling.
"And because I want to kick the British's asses for all the torture they put me through. And I want to save Herc and Laf, and everyone else. Because this is unfair."
"Are you okay? Physically I mean. And maybe mentally. Because getting whipped is no small injury." I ask.
"Yeah yeah- I'm fine. I got help. I could use some more though. But I'm not the priority." John says.
"Okay well, what's your great plan?" I wonder.
"Uh... it's a work in progress," he mumbles. "I honestly didn't think I'd get this far."
"How'd you get in there anyways? Where are you?" I question.
"A lot of feeling around and falling. I'm in some dope-ass secret tunnels," he pauses for a moment. "Okay I think I have my plan. Come here." he shoots his hand out again, and motions for me to press my ear against the crack.

There's a boulder in front of a hole, right next to the platform where the executions are held. Alex and I decided to move the boulder to reveal the dark hole behind the platform, which we trusted that no one would notice. Right before the executions go down, I'm supposed to step out and onto the platform, and say something along the lines of:
"You motherfuckers can't kill us off that easily."
There's still about three hours of work time left, so before I went to my hiding spot I told Alex not to tell Herc and Laf that I'm still alive. I want their glee to see my existence to fuel the crowd into having another riot, a bigger one then the one Alex caused. Now that I think about it, how did he get away scot-free while I get whipped an inch from my life for dropping a pickaxe? I should ask him later. I will ask him later, because this will go according to plan.

"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Seabury's voice calls over the around. He's still doing the executions, but more cautiously, since the riot. There's about three guards in front of the plat form from what I can see, to hold the crowd back. Not that they're planning to do anything, yet. "Thank you for joining me this evening. Now today we have several executions planned. First we start off with none other than Mr. George Washington! Presumed dead until the rebels were caught. Do you know who tricked our beloved Captain into thinking his worst enemy was dead and gone! That's right! Alexander Hamilton!" I feel the stone floor drop from behind me as I stare helplessly at the small figure that must be Alex, lined up to be killed second. No. Not him. I can't let him die. I feel myself stand up and then crawl out from my hiding place. Unknown to everyone who's attention is still on Seabury. I step up onto the platform and here a hush go over the crowd.
"Uh- sorry- but who are you?" Seabury hesitates, possibly considering running off. I don't answer, but step forward again, my face hidden by shadows and my hood. The troops look unsure weather to shoot me or not. Well, I better get a move on then. I grab the folds of the tarp that cover Alex's face, and pull it off.
"Perfect timing. You know, I was a little afraid you'd chicken out." Alex says as soon as he can see again.
"Me? Never." I say, and then pull off my own hood. It's enough. I don't have to say anything. Everyone knows me by now, my very presence is enough to spiral a crowd into action. And that's when my body understands the severity of my wounds and forces me to faint.