“I would’ve brought Threshers,” I say, “if I’d known you were at war.”
“Keri tried to tell you. Didn’t her message go through?”
“Close it!” Doc shouts, an echo inflating his voice.
“I’m afraid your tests will have to wait.”
“Yeah, I gathered that. Where do these tunnels lead?”
At least there are no Morgut down here.
“Of course. I should’ve offered. Let’s rest a moment.”
“Easy, Jax.” Doc tugs me to my feet. “We need to keep moving.”
“What now?” I ask finally. “We can’t stay holed up forever.”
“Won’t they just starve you out?”
In answer, he depresses a hidden button in the wall and the door to another world swings open.
There’s an entire city hidden here.
They pause as we pass by, whispering. Then one of them calls, “Doc! The Dahlgren’s looking for you.”
He nods. “I’ll find her. Thanks.”
The kids giggle and whisper a little more, and then: “So is Rose!”
“She’s alive?” he breathes. “She made it! Where?”
“This is Rose,” Doc says, drawing my eyes back.
I manage a smile. “Nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.” Her tone is cool, and I sense she wants to be rid of me.
Nodding, I leave my fear unspoken. “Thanks for seeing me through the tunnel.”
“Our situation is less than ideal,” he says, when I finally step back.
He cocks his head at me. “Why?”
Right, he tends to be literal. “Never mind. Have you seen the others?”
“No. I made one sweep before settling here. Are you hungry?”