Page 93 of Irreversible

With nothing on the other side to slow my trajectory, I tumble forward—and down. Bouncing and rolling, gaining momentum, until I’m stopped abruptly by an especially cold, hard floor. Concrete.

The last reserves of air in my lungs leaves on a groan.Goddamn, that hurt.

I lie there, blinking through the stunned haze. The door I fell through swings shut, leaving me in the dark. I’m bruised but whole, I think, and there’s no time to do more than roll out of the way in case someone spotted me. I flatten myself next to the stairs and regroup.

After a few seconds, my eyes adjust enough to realize that it’s not as pitch black as I first thought. A few dim squares of light filter through high, rectangular windows on one side of the expansive space.

I seem to have found my way into a basement.

One with windows that have a chance of opening.

Fuck, please open.

Overhead, on the main floor, the alarm still blares, gathering the forces in search of the escapee. Me. I have no idea how many people work in this place, as I’ve never seen more than a few, but they must all be out hunting now. The trick will be to stay out of their way while they’re distracted, so I can work on finding the best way out of here.

Everly’s life might depend on how quickly I can bring help back. There was something in her voice before Roger came in, and she faded out. Like she didn’t have much left in her.

I swear, if she gives up five minutes before I get us the fuck out of here…

The thought makes me vaguely nauseous.

It’s just a fever; she’ll be fine.

Rising into a crouch, I pan my gaze from left to right. The room sprawls out behind me into complete darkness—there’s no telling what’s back there—but beneath the windows, I can make out a few shapes lining the walls. Shelves stacked with supplies, some cages big enough to house very large animals, and a table in the center.

Keeping myself bent enough to move forward, yet able to dive under something if that door at the top of the stairs opens, I head for the windows.

Passing the table, I see the glint of light off metal, and the adjustable legs ending in wheels that indicate medical equipment.

My mind pings to Everly’s procedures, and whatever else might happen down here.

I’m not going to think too hard about that.

The windows are high enough that it will be tricky to pull myself up and out, especially considering my shoulder injury, and dingy enough to obscure my vision. Not optimal, but my other choice is going upstairs and out the front door. Balancing on my toes, I push up on the window frame.

Nothing. Fuck.

Next, I try pushing out. It sticks for a second but gives, pushing out at an angle that stops halfway, which is going to be tricky to squeeze my ass through. That explains why they don’t have this area secured better.

Fortunately for me, there’s a wire-shelving unit close enough for me to wheel over and give myself a boost. Then, just as I get my head through the opening and take a breath of air that’s less fresh than I anticipated, there’s a noise at the top of the stairs.

My heart hammers, my first instinct being to keep going and run, but my gut says that’s a good way to get caught. I don’t know what’s out there. So, I pull back in and drop down, squeezing behind the shelf, which does little to hide me, just as a sliver of light shines through the cracked door.

The alarm stops abruptly.

I don’t dare breathe; if someone shines a flashlight in this direction, I’m done for.

The light widens. A pair of shoes appear on the top step. I glance at the shelf in hopes there’s something easy to use asa weapon if needed, but all I see are boxes of useless medical supplies. Gauze and shit.

“What’re you doing, Harris?” The voice comes from somewhere beyond the door.

“Checking the basement.” The man pauses on the stairs, aiming a beam of light toward the right, the opposite direction from where I stand smashed against the wall.

Shit, shit, shit.

“Perimeter first,” the voice calls. “There are a zillion other buildings we need to go through. Gonzalez is already making the rounds inside. He’s almost done in the east wing and will head here next. You’re outside, with me.”

The feet move back. The light disappears.

---