We head back down to the trail toward the Snoqualmie Train Tunnel.
Chapter Thirty-Three
The Tunnel
ZACH
Aiden and I approach the tunnel side by side. A blast of cool air shoots out, sending goosebumps across my exposed skin. It’s like walking into a refrigerator. Before entering, we check our flashlights to ensure they have fresh batteries. Aiden has his rifle at the ready, pointed downward in his folded right hand.
“Here goes nothing,” I say as we walk into the darkness.
The tunnel is tall and wide, curved at the top. It starts out heading northward but gradually bends to the left, due west. Soon, light from the entrance disappears. We’re in total darkness, save what our flashlights reveal.
The temperature has dropped dramatically, with water dripping from the ceiling. At certain points, the drips are more like a steady downpour, and it’s impossible to avoid a few landing on my head, making me flinch every time. Each step risks a twisted ankle as large divots in the path have formed where the water falls into pools.
Once we’ve completed the bend westward, a tiny pinprick of light is visible far off to the west. The exit to the tunnel.
“Looks like it’s a straight shot through. That doesn’t look so bad,” I say. The sight of our exit gives me the slightest bit of relief.
“Yeah. That’s still a long way off though. The whole thing is over two miles, so expect it to take a while.”
It doesn’t takea while. It takesforever. We keep on, and the pinprick doesn’t seem to get any bigger. The cold is getting to me, and my whole body is shaking. My hands are the worst. The flashlight feels like an icicle. I alternate back and forth, letting one hand warm up in my pocket as the other one shines a light on our path.
Every hundred feet, an indentation in the wall holds old rusted wiring poking out of metal boxes. In one indentation, a dirty, cracked porcelain doll sits against the wall. Its dead eyes stare at me as we pass.
After a half hour, the exit is more defined, with the shape of the tunnel now a crisp arch of daylight. We’re getting close. That’s when a faint sound comes from behind us.
It’s barely audible at first. It could almost be mistaken for the wind blowing through the tunnel. But then it gets louder and more defined. Soon the noise is recognizable. The sound of motors.
We both look back. Two little pinpricks of light curve around the bend, nearly two miles back. They are approaching at great speed. As they get nearer, we can make out the high-pitched sound of revving engines.
Without speaking, both Aiden and I take off at a full run. The sound of the engines gets closer. The whine echoes throughout the tunnel into a deafening crescendo. Aiden fumbles with his rifle as we run.
We’re getting closer to the exit. Only fifty feet away now. We’re going to make it. Our pursuers are gaining, but our exit is nearby.
Aiden shouts at me over the engines. “When we get outside, jump to our right. We’ll try to lose them in the forest.”
I nod.
We’re nearing the entrance, now only twenty feet away.
But then silhouettes of three people appear from outside, all holding rifles pointed right at us. The silhouette in the middle is taller, and coming from it, that dreaded and unmistakable voice. Connor.
“Drop the gun! Right now!”
Two dirt bikes roll up from behind. The sickening stench of exhaust fills my lungs.
Aiden looks at me and then at the men. He’s holding back, worrying about my safety.
“Do what you need to do,” I say to him, loud enough to be heard by all.
Aiden’s eyes look pained. “I’m sorry.” He throws the rifle on the ground near Connor’s feet. My heart sinks.
When Aiden’s gun hits the ground, the people swarm us. A shove in my back sends me smashing into the ground, face first. My hands blunt my fall but cut against the jagged gravel.
Aiden falls next to me. They take our packs, then bind our arms behind our backs. For a moment, we face each other. In his eyes is a profound sadness. I want to lean into him to tell him I love him. As I start to, hands grab me ruthlessly from behind.
They lift and shove us toward Connor and all the usual suspects. It’s the same group that’s been chasing us all the way from Elk Springs. Wayne and Tyra are behind us. The man with the gray goatee is on Connor’s left, and a bald man with huge muscles covered with tattoos is on Connor’s right.
