Page 93 of Ruger's Rage

The passage is narrow but tall enough to stand in, supported by timber beams that remind me this was created by men who knew their craft.

The dirt floor slopes downward, taking us deeper beneath the compound.

"How far do these tunnels go?" Kinsey asks, her voice echoing slightly.

"Almost two miles," Ellie answers. "The main passage branches in three directions about a quarter-mile in. Each leads to a different cabin."

"And the men know about this?" I confirm.

"The officers do. Part of club protocol for emergencies."

We reach a junction where the tunnel splits, concrete markers with numbers embedded in the walls. Ellie doesn't hesitate, taking the middle passage marked with a faded "2."

"Why aren't these used more often?" Kinsey wonders.

"They're a last resort," Ellie explains. "Using them reveals their existence. That's not something the club wants widely known."

Reality settles in a little deeper—if we're using them now, the situation above must be dire indeed.

We're maybe half a mile in when the sound of footsteps behind us makes us pause.

I swing my flashlight back, relief flooding me when Sarah's figure appears.

"Keep moving," she urges, catching up. "They've breached the clubhouse."

"Bloodhound?" I ask.

"Holding," She doesn't elaborate, which tells me nothing good. "But we don't have much time."

We pick up the pace, moving as quickly as the uneven ground allows.

The tunnel begins to slope upward now, the air gradually becoming fresher.

"We're heading up the mountainside," Ellie explains, noticing my confusion. "The cabin sits on a ridge overlooking the compound."

"Of course it does," I mutter, trying to imagine the planning that went into creating this escape network decades ago.

Sarah falls into step beside me. "You holding up okay?"

I’m trying to be funny, but it doesn’t come out that way. "As well as can be expected when running for my life through secret mining tunnels."

She squeezes my shoulder. "Ruger will find us. He knows where we're going."

"If he's okay," I can't help adding.

"That man is too stubborn to be anything but okay," Sarah assures me. "Trust me, I've known him since he was a rowdy teenager. Nothing keeps him down for long."

I want to believe her, need to believe her, but Marco's return has unearthed all my old fears, reminding me that even the strongest people can be hurt, can be taken away.

A low rumble shakes the tunnel, dust raining down from the beams above us.

"What was that?" Kinsey asks, freezing in place.

Sarah's expression darkens. "Explosion. They're trying to flush out anyone still hiding."

"Or block the tunnels," Ellie suggests, quickening her pace. "We need to move, and fast."

We break into a jog, the uneven ground making it treacherous.

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