Strength isn't always loud sometimes. It's the only thing holding everyone from falling apart. As the darkness breathed. That was the first thing Stacy realized most in the way monsters are but in the way fear settles into your bones and refuses to leave.
No one spoke after the fall because they all knew that whatever is ahead…is closer than anything behind. Jasper was still for a while and hesitated, the group all thought it was strange because Jasper doesn't hesitate and then they all began to panic as whispers broke the silence.
"What is that…?" Stan asked
"Did you hear it?"
"We need to move…"
The breathing sound came again and then someone choked back a cry and another voice cracked.
"We're trapped…"
Fear spreads faster than fire, one stepped back and another turned towards the tunnel entrance
"We got back up—Now!
Gunfire echoed faintly above as a reminder and warning. Jasper finally spoke.
"Stay still."
"Stay still?!" Someone snapped
"There's something in here!"
The breathing got heavier now and in that moment Stacy stepped forward.
"Stop." She said
And somehow landed harder than panic, the group froze and then she moved closer to the center where everyone could see her. Even in the dim, broken light, her eyes were steady and focused.
"Look at me." She said
And they all did because something in them needed someone to hold onto.
"If you panic…" she paused
And allowed it to sink in and then she continued
"…we die."
There was silence again and then she turned towards the darkness ahead acknowledged it and yet avoided it.
"Yes. Something is here." She added
There was not denial it that of false comfort but whatever it was. She looked back at them.
"But whatever it is…"
It's hasn't attacked yet."
And that was true and as fear shifted slightly from chaos to thought. Jasper watched her closely. She was not just surviving anymore. The breathing can closer again and Stacy stepped towards it.
"Wait…!" Someone whispered harshly
But she didn't stop and Jasper moved instantly at her side and did not stop her, the others did not hesitate but followed because standing alone was worse. Step by step they moved forward, slowly and carefully. As darkness begins to share itself, a figure shifted weakly and barely moved. It was a survivor. The relief hired differently because survival down there near something went very wrong. Stacy knelt immediately, carefully and gently now.
"Hey…hey…it's okay."
The figure flinched violently trying to crawl back with eyes wide with fear looking terrified.
"No—no—please"
Stacy softened her voice further
"We're not here to hurt you." She said
The figure shaked his head desperately
"They…they come down here..."
"Who?" Jasper asked.
"Raiders…" The figure answered.
Just then silence fell again because now they understood that it wasn't a refuge but a trap.
As Stacy helped the figure to stand up she realized that it was a young woman. Ignoring the fear on her eyes she asked what is your name?
"Dorris" she answered
"Listen to me Dorris," she said softly
"We're getting you out of here."
Dorris laughed weakly, almost hysterically.
"No one gets out…"
As the line cuts deep and the group stared to waver again but Stacy didn't let it spread. She stood up and turned to them all.
"That's not true."
We made it this far." As she pointed upward
"We survived them."
And then she looked towards the darkness ahead and said.
"We survive this too."
Jasper stepped beside her now with his voice steady.
"We move, together."
Now, the group believed and the it was no argythis to me. The farther that moved the more the tunnel stretched deeper and they moved better and more controlled. Stacy stayed almost near the center holding the group together and every time someone slowed them she was there and every time fear arose she steadied it. Jasper noticed everything because he was no longer carrying them alone as they were becoming something stronger and then the sound returned with multiple movements. Jasper froze instantly with his hand up and everyone stopped, just then voices echoed, the raiders were inside and as panic threatens again, Stacy stepped in fast.
"No sound." She whispered.
They all obeyed instantly, because her voice meant survival. As the raiders got closer with flashlights flicker in the distance searching, Jasper scanned the area very fast and he saw that there was no easy escape and so they took another turn and didn't break. A beam of light cutted through the darkness landing directly on them, a voice echoed sharply
"There!"
And as weapons rose instantly, Stacy didn't move as her voice cutted through the chaos one last time.
"Run on my signal." She said.
Jasper looked at her for just a second and something in her tone felt like a decision had already been made and as the raiders closed in and the tunnel lights exploded around them, he realized with a cold, sinking certainty that Stacy was about to risk everything to keep them alive.