Again, moving that like it’s nothing.She audibly swallowed, watching him move fluidly across areas she knew she would have to crouch low to move through.He’s so powerful.
Her wonder turned to anxiety, watching him balance on the debris.He could fall in any second. How could I get him back out then?
She yelled over the increasing distance, “There might be, but . . . be careful Simon. We can find different spots. No need to be reckless.”
“I’m fine, Nora.”
Nora watched as Simon gave a calculating look across the distance before he walked over the wasted concrete, more sure-footed than she was.Guess he is fine.She stood on the sidelines, not wanting to go farther and have Tilly follow, anxiously twining her hands as he lifted things she would never be able to. The metal components he was made of clearly made him stronger than any human.
“Is he going to go inside?” Tilly asked as she stood next to her, watching, still holding her doll.
Nora held her hand and said softly as they both watched Simon, “I don’t know if there’s any spot to actually go in. It all looks like collapsed rubble from here.”
But Simon did find a way, and his form disappeared into the mess of concrete and iron below.
“Oh, he’s in,” Nora whispered in shock. Her palms were sweaty and she kept her gaze on the ruined concrete and rebar, constantly scanning for him despite the sun’s reflection making her eyes hurt.
Time passed, and Tilly fidgeted beside her. She walked her back to get some water from the hover and then they returned to the same spot to wait.Still not out yet.Sweat dripped down her back from the heat of the sun while she shifted her feet on the uneven ground.
“What if he doesn’t come out?” Tilly asked softly.
“I don’t know, Tilly girl. Let’s start walking around the side of this thing closer to where he went in. Maybe I can call out to him then.” Her eyes narrowed, and she slowly began to move. “C’mon Tilly.”
Tilly grabbed her hand as they walked carefully over the rubble. She put her doll over her eyes. “It’s so hot.”
“I know. Let’s find a place to wait in the shade by where he went in, huh.”
They walked around the perimeter until they got as close as Nora dared. She stood, toeing the rubble where the building precariously stood in some places, making haphazard openings where Simon must have been able to squeeze inside. A pillar still standing tall in the midday sun offered a cool slice of shade.
Nora wet her lips and called out, “Simon?” Her voice quickly disappeared over the ruined building. Silence followed, and she felt her heartbeat pound in her chest. She tried again, louder, “Simon? Are you alright?”
An echo came, faintly. Nora put her hand over her ear to listen.Did he say something or was that my imagination?
“I heard him,” Tilly said excitedly, pulling on Nora’s arm.
Nora strained her ears.Nothing for me.She looked down at Tilly. “You did? Glad you got better ears than me, Tilly. You sure?”
“Yes, he said ‘just a moment.’”
Nora breathed out, relieved. Sweat beaded down her back as she sat down on a piece of concrete that jutted out, bringing Tilly close to lean against her legs. “Alright. Good. Good. Just a moment then.” She shook her head, her voice strained. “This was so reckless though. The metal isn’t worth this. There are other places we can still go through to get wiring and stuff.”
Tilly tugged on her arm. “He just wanted to help. I like him, Mama. He’s nice. I’m glad he’s with us.”
Nora exhaled heavily, her nerves getting the best of her as she snapped back, “I like him too, but he is no help to us if he gets himself stuck!”
“He’s gonna come out.”
“He better.”
“Mama . . .” Tilly shook her arm.
After a sigh, Nora pat her back. “Alright, you’re right. I’m being a sourpuss.”
They waited together in the sliver of shade, Nora sitting behind Tilly, who squirmed against Nora’s legs instead of the hard rock.
“Oh, there he is. See?” Tilly pointed, yelling from where she sat.
Simon’s form was coming from the rubble. In his arms he was clearly carrying something.
