Love Among The Ruins-Chapter 124

NADINE’S P.O.V

The line went dead and static electricity filled the air.

Immediately, everyone dissolved into a panic. I couldn’t make out what they were saying but I could tell there was some discourse about whether or not we should go and help the others. I couldn’t tell who was on what side, but all I knew was we didn’t have much time.

"Guys," I began, but no one was listening to me.

They just kept speaking over each other, and it was getting heated.

"For fucks sake, will you all shut up?"

Silence fell as they all turned to me.

I didn’t realize how intense it would be to have all four pair of eyes staring straight into my soul. It took me a second to calm my breathing and gather my thoughts back.

"The more time we spend arguing, the less time we actually have to help."

"Exactly. We need to pack up and get the fuck out."

I was shocked that it was Camden of all people that was saying this. I would’ve thought that he would fight for his friend, but he didn’t seem to care. His jaw was set and he didn’t seem like he’d change his mind anytime soon.

"That is not at all what I am saying. If we go now, we can save them and get back in time."

"No fucking way. I’m going."

"Then stay here and help Joshua. We need to save the others."

"You’re crazy," he spat before turning to Rowan. "Tell your girlfriend that this is a suicide mission."

I held Rowan’s eyes.

I could tell that a part of him agreed with Camden. I knew what he wanted me to do, he wanted me to leave, but he knew I wouldn’t. Even when he spoke to me that night, he had to have known that I wouldn’t listen. I’d never put my life above the lives of innocents.

"Stay with Joshua," Rowan said finally. "Amy, you’re with them too."

"Are you crazy?" she asked but Rowan ignored her.

"Nadine and I will try to find the others. If we can’t, we leave. Give us fifteen minutes. If we’re not back, you can leave."

"Don’t."

"We have to see this through," I told her. "I can’t just let them die."

"What about if you die."

I shrugged. "Then so be it, I guess. We have to go."

I pulled her into a firm hug. She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed tight. I felt something warm drop on my shoulder and I knew that she was crying.

I forced myself to pull away because I knew if I didn’t, I wouldn’t move.

I didn’t look at her again, I just gave a firm nod to Rowan and we were off.

We agreed to mark a way for the people with out clothes. We tied strips of fabrics onto the trees to make it easier for the people to find their way back to the others and the trucks.

Neither Rowan nor I said a word to each other as we ran towards the bunker.

We both knew that it was insane, it was stupid, and it was probably a suicide mission, and yet, we were willing to risk it, to see it through to the end.

All of the guards were missing. They must’ve taken off after they heard what Trent had to say.

"Do you know where the entrance is?" I asked Rowan who nodded.

He’d worked as a guard for so long, I wasn’t surprised he remembered it. I watched him tap his foot to the ground a few times before finding what he was looking for.

On the surface, it looked like a simple patch of dried grass, but Rowan seemed to grab onto something and he pushed down hard. The patch gave way, revealing a staircase that led down into the bunkers.

I could hear an alarm blaring from inside, and it took me back to all those months ago when we first escaped together.

"We have five minutes," he told me. "We get as many people as we can out. We can’t save everyone."

"I know that, Rowan."

"Do you really?" he asked and I fell silent. "Don’t play the martyr princess."

"Right back at you."

He went in first and I followed after.

It felt weird to be back in the bunker, but I couldn’t spend time thinking about it. We rushed towards the alarm and immediately was met with silence.

"Where is everyone?" I asked but Rowan shrugged.

There were no guards. All of them seemed to have disappeared.

We kept going further until we got to a locked door. It was locked from our end and sealed with a massive padlock. I could hear people screaming on the other side.

My hands flew to my mouth as I realized what happened. "They locked them in. They were going to let them die here."

Rowan didn’t speak, but I saw his jaw clench.

I looked around, trying to find something to break the padlock—anything.

It was as if the more we searched, the more I couldn’t see.

"Move!"

I’d barely heard Rowan speak before I dove out of the way.

He had something in his hands. They looked like shears but they weren’t sharp enough.

"It won’t work," I began but he ignored me.

He didn’t try to cut the padlock, no, instead, he placed the metal part between the shackle and forced it open.

He repeated it three times before the padlock shattered and fell to the ground.

"They always keep tools in the supply rooms," Rowan grinned before pulling the door open.

As soon as he did, we were met with panic. There were children crying, men screaming but it all stopped as soon as we opened the doors.

I was so stunned that I didn’t even notice someone approach. "Nadine?"

"Jen!" I threw my arms around her. "What happened?"

"I don’t know. We were trying to get everyone out when they locked us in. I stayed here but Ezekiel went to check for others. I don’t know where he is. Is the place really going to blow?"

"I don’t know. Let’s just focus on getting everyone out."

"Hey everyone!" Jen yelled. "Come with me!"

Immediately, everyone rushed to her. Rowan and I barely had time to dive out of the way.

"We should go with her," Rowan began but I shook my head.

"There may be others. We have to check."

"Nadine-"

"We still have two minutes, and we need to find Ezekiel."

He pursed his lips before nodding. "Fine, let’s go."