“Fuck, you got hit?”
Jesse nodded. “Just a graze. I’ll be fine. Just get me something to tie it up, and fast.”
Xander felt a wave of panic, at the thought of Jesse being hurt or worse, but pushed it aside. Now was not the time to lose his cool. Even though his hands were starting to shake and the rest of his body as well.
He reached for his pocket and the bandana that was still there. Xander quickly pulled it out, wrapped it around Jesse’s bicep, and tied it off. Hopefully, tight enough to stem any blood loss. For now.
“I’m good, thanks. Let’s keep moving,” Jesse muttered.
There were only a few feet left to go and the closer they got to the exit, the more relieved Xander felt.
Until he heard a cracking sound and pieces of the tunnel ceiling began to rain down over them.
Jesse
They were almost free of the tunnel. Hopefully, Sonny would take out that remaining Krypt member, and if not, Jesse was determined that he Xander would finish the job.
Until the fucking ceiling collapsed around them. Thank fuck they had helmets attached to their night vision goggles because getting a concussion right now was the last thing they needed.
Jesse waved away the cloud of dust and looked around, realizing that they were now trapped. Enough debris had fallen that the exit to the tunnel was no more. He could hear the distant echo of gunfire.
“Xan!” Jesse turned around, looking for Xander, hoping that his partner was okay. Xander was right behind him, covered in dirt and dust.
Jesse tapped on his earpiece. “Tunnel two is collapsing. We’re trapped. We can’t see the exit anymore or go back. Copy.”
“I’m coming to get you guys,” Sonny replied.
“Be fucking careful, yeah? Is that guy still on the run?”
“The target from tunnel two has been eliminated. No other targets on site. Hold tight.”
“Fuck, we don’t even have any water with us,” Xander muttered. Then he pulled out his phone and switched the security back on.
“We’re not going to be here that long,” Jesse reassured him. “I hope.”
“This is goddamn creepy,” Xander confessed. “Always hated it down here and now I know why. I thought this thing was bomb-proof.”
Jesse barked out a laugh, despite the pain in his arm “It is. And relax. The whole thing didn’t collapse, just part of the ceiling. The tunnel itself is still holding strong.”
“Really? These piles of rock and rubble, the ones that are taller than me, prove otherwise,” Xander snarked and pointed to the exit.
“At least we weren’t in that section when it happened. And nothing is foolproof.”
“I’m gonna kick Sonny’s ass hard when I get out of here. Indestructible, my ass. Next time, just shoot the targets, don’t use fucking explosives.”
“Shut up and conserve your energy.”
“Make me.”
“Make me? What are we, ten?” Jesse snapped. “Button it and help me move some of this debris out of the way.”
“I’m no engineer, but don’t we risk de-stabilizing the tunnel further?”
“You want to get out of here or not? There’s really only one option.”
Xander nodded. “Fine, but I’ll move this crap. You rest your arm. You don’t want to risk further damage.”
“I got grazed. Fuck off.”