20
Terror beyond anything I had ever imagined gripped me. I was helpless, not even able to move my fingers. Dirt filled my mouth, nose, lungs. I couldn’t scream for help. My mind shattered.
And as my lungs burned hotter than coals, I shut down. It was as if my brain understood the inevitable. As if it gave up.
My one thought turned to Brett lying below me. If we were to be buried like this for eternity, I wish I had been lying next to him instead of standing at his feet.
I failed.
Brett was right, I shouldn’t have come. I should’ve gone home and hid in the closet where it was safe.
But then Brett would be here without me. He’d be in this hole, and I’d never find him.
Consciousness was fading when I felt it. A hand grasped mine, pulling me up. More hands were digging around me. Freed
