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Dallin nodded. He grimaced with every limping step, and the progress was painfully slow as they inched out of the room and along the cave passage, but they were finally moving.

They reached the first pile of rocks, and Sloane jumped over it, followed by Brutus. Between them, they dragged Dallin across the rubble. He muttered curses under his breath the whole time, but they made it to the other side.

“It’s not far now,” Sloane said. “No fainting on me.”

He growled at her. “I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, I never faint.”

“No one will blame you if you do this time. I’m even tempted to flake out. This situation is insane.” Even with the breathing mask on, her chest burned and her vision was blurry.

“We can stop if you need to rest.”

“I need to get out of here and get some antidote more than I need a break. Let’s keep going.” Sloane wrapped her arm back around his waist, and they continued their slow progress along the corridor.

“I see daylight ahead,” Dallin said.

“That’s right. Focus on that. We just need to get outside and get to the Apocalypse.”

Every step felt like it took twice as long as it should, but Sloane didn’t hurry Dallin. He was putting on a brave face, but he was struggling. His body burned with fever, his eyes were glazed, and his forehead was damp with sweat.

They reached the end of the corridor, and Sloane took a second to orientate herself. “This way.”

Brutus stayed close to Dallin, letting him lean on him, and making the occasional grunt, suggesting he was also frustrated with the slow progress.

Sloane tilted her head. Faint voices could be heard up ahead. “We don’t have time for company. And I lost my weapon back there.”

She pulled Dallin down as the rumbling sound of a vehicle approached. It passed them by, full of Siblet heading out of the mine.

“It looks like they’re all clearing out,” Dallin muttered.

“There’s nothing for them here. Not since you blew the place up.” She bumped his cheek with her breathing mask. “Don’t do anything so brave again. It almost killed you.”

He closed his eyes for a second. “I had to stop the Siblet.”

Sloane stroked a hand down his cheek. “I know. But look at what you almost lost.”

His glazed purple eyes met hers. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re forgiven. Almost.”

“I mean, for everything. For pushing you away. For not believing in us. It was a mistake.”

Her heart stuttered with joy. “You’re finally admitting you don’t know how to get everything right?”

Dallin chuffed out a quiet laugh. “Maybe I do have a few things to learn. Would you be willing to teach me?”

Sloane’s eyes flooded with tears. “Always. Let’s get off this rock and see what lessons you need.”

They waited until the vehicle was out of sight and then continued their journey to the entrance of the mine.

“Wait here.” Sloane leaned Dallin against the wall. “I’ll check there aren’t any stragglers left behind who might cause us a problem.”

“I should do that.”

“I can breathe, stand, see, and hear better than you.” She lifted off the mask and gave his lips a quick, firm kiss. “No arguments.”

He closed his eyes and simply nodded.

His lack of protest worried her. How much poison had he been given? “Brutus, stay with Dallin. If anyone bothers him, bite them, and keep biting until they’re no longer a problem. Got it?”