Twenty-two
The metal rungs chilled Brice’s fingers, and that pushed him to keep climbing. Light came from below, where Ryann held her torch steady. He hadn’t turned his on yet. He let the shadows reach out to him. They were nothing to fear. He was dark anyway.
He reached the hatch, and glanced down to Ryann. Her features were masked by the light, but he thought he saw her head nod.
“Go on,” she said.
He spun the rotary plate, then flicked the catch and pushed. Chilled air rushed in, bringing a spray of moisture that grew into a downpour, and by the time the hatch was fully open his face was drenched. The rain ran down his head and neck, sliding under his jacket.
That almost made him feel alive.
Above him, the sky was rolling blackness. There was a moon somewhere, and stars, maybe eve
