Not Just Another Number

Into The Tunnels We Go

Sarah's POV

I sit in the back, squished up against Dustin and an unconscious Steve as Max races down the road. I hold onto anything I can, trying not to get carsick. This was a horrible idea! I keep one hand on Steve's forehead, pressing an icepack to one of the bigger bruises.

"Slow down slow down slow down!" I panic as she speeds up. Nobody listens. Last time I'm letting her drive. I hear Steve groan from beside me. I look down at his messed up face, feeling bad. "Sarah?" He asks as he raises a hand to his nose. I shush him and pull his hand away, still trying to not get jostled around.

"Yeah Harrington, I'm here. Don't touch that." He looks delirious. He looks around at Mike and Dustin, trying to get a baring of his surroundings. Dustin leans over me, squishing me into the seat. "Hey buddy. You put up a good fight, he still kicked your ass, but you put up a good fight." He tries to reassure him.

"Okay, you're gonna keep straight for a half a mile, then make a left on Mount Sinai." Lucas says out of the blue. I look over at him and look back at Steve, noticing him piecing everything together.

"What's going on?!"

"Steve calm down, she's driven before." I try to calm him down, but Mike makes it worse. "Yeah, in a parking lot." I glare at him. "Not helping." I hiss.

Steve starts to panic even more, reaching up to hold onto the top of the seat. I reach over to reassure him, but Max speeds up again, making me sink into the seat even more. We're all yelling loudly, either in panic or reassurance, nobody can tell at this point.

Steve grabs onto my arm with one hand, holding me in an iron grip. I wince, but let him hold on. "Stop the car!" He cries.

"Everybody shut up! I'm trying to focus!" Max yells from the front. It does nothing to silence them. Lucas points across her. "Turn left now!" She makes a hard left, making everyone lean right. Steve yells and grabs onto me tighter, squishing me even more.

I hold onto him just as tightly, screaming as we turn. "Stop the car Max!" I yell. She does the opposite, she speeds up and turns again.

Suddenly, she lurches to a stop. I breathe heavily and look out the car windows. We're in a field. At least she got us here. She shuts the car off and says with a steady voice, "Told you. Zoomer." I slowly let go of Steve and unbuckle. I try to get out, but Steve's still holding onto me tightly.

"C'mon buddy, we gotta go." He seems to snap out of something and he finally lets me go. I slide out of the car and make my way to the trunk. The others have already gotten their things and are making their way to the hole.

I hear Steve groan as he falls out of the car. I sneak a glance at him as I grab my goggles. "Hey, where do you think you're going?" He asks someone, but we ignore him. I hand Lucas and Max each a gas can.

I grab my bandana and take one out, along with a pair of goggles, for Steve. I push Dustin along while Steve continues to yell at us. "We are not going down there right now. I made myself clear." I groan and pull out some rope. He looks over at me and stomps his way over.

He grabs the rope from my hands and throws it back in the trunks. "This ends right now!" I put my hand out and stop him. "Steve, you're upset, I get it. But bottom line is, we promised to protect these kids, and we are not going back on that. When you promise to protect the Party, that means the whole Party, El included."

He stares at me, physically calming down. He's breathing less heavily. I lower my hand and grab his. "Look, I know you didn't want to do this, but please. Do this for me?" I reach over and grab his back pack from the trunk, with the bat sticking out. He sighs and grabs the bag, nodding his head, letting go of my hand.