Chapter 55
Desperately, Smitty ran - or tried to run - along the passageway, searching for the rat-hole. He could feel himself getting weaker and glancing back saw a trail of red splashes stretching behind him. With every step he took the wound on his leg spurted blood. He didn’t have time to bind it and with his fingers and thumbs feeling increasing numb, was not even sure he could. And Tavia - at first so light it seemed he was carrying air - had gained in weight and substance as his own strength weakened. He shifted her over his shoulder, keeping her in place with one arm while with the other reached down and attempted to pinch the weeping wound shut. This reduced his pace to a lopsided, slow shuffle. But a trail of blood leading to and stopping at the rat-hole would be too much of a g
