A violent jolt hit my spine as the cargo lift plummeted in the darkness. The screech of metal grinding against the safety rails was deafening, creating sparks that illuminated Marcus's panicked face for a split second. I tightened my hold on Dahlia, pressing my back against the lift wall, letting my legs and shoulders absorb the impact as the emergency brake system finally engaged.
THWACK!
The lift stopped with a jolt that nearly broke my neck. The dim red emergency light flickered on, blinking like a dying heart. Thin smoke began to curl from the ruined control panel.
"You're crazy, Jax! You've completely lost it!" Marcus shouted. He coughed, trying to stand while holding his shoulder, which had slammed against the steel floor.
"I was just making sure we have privacy, Marcus," I said.
