Connor and Vince fight their forbidden attraction as they attempt to rescue themselves and fellow residents of the underground Refuge facility from a toxic breach.
*****
Conn...
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There is no such thing as happy ever after, no such thing as a second chance, and no such thing as coming back from where I'm going.
With heavy steps, I followed Patrick into the shaft leading to the lift, leaving our escort and life as it was behind me. The mechanical door at my back hissed before it locked for what I knew would be forever—or until the next agitator made trouble in the facility and found him or herself facing the rarely seen, but much talked about airtight door.
With every weighty footstep toward the enclosed lift, my living-breathing life became more of a shadow of a memory; it was apparent in each anxiety-induced shallow breath that escaped my lips. Although they wanted me to believe going miles above to the surface was my choice, there was no such thing as having a voice in the matter. The decision had been final when my name appeared at the top of the daily announcements on each wall monitor for everyone in the facility to see. Had Randolph and the other leaders took a vote, or was Randolph given sole authority? It wouldn't surprise me if he singlehandedly assigned us, given he made most of the big decisions.
Fight or flight instinct sent adrenaline through my veins. I could do neither, so I stepped foot onto the lift. Up, up, up it took us. I glanced through my thick, transparent visor and across from me into Patrick's. The light located inside of his helmet illuminated his face, allowing me to search his eyes for a hint of fear. He didn't focus on anything in particular.
"You think we'll be surprised at the conditions up there?" His shaky and wary voice came through my headset.
I disregarded my anxiety and forced a chuckle. "I enjoy surprises."
His nerves caused his snicker to come through rattled and apprehensive. "If my wife was still here, she would've slapped the shit out of me for even entertaining the thought of going up."
Although I hadn't met his wife, the difference between his wife and mine were apparent. Em would've known that I would never entertain such a thought. Just recalling her smarts and wit brought a smile to my face. If possible, I would return to previous times and relive the moments where I had gathered her and our son in my arms.
No one had to tell me I was once a lucky man, but like all good things, even luck runs out.
The lift slowed, sounding off a metallic clanking that penetrated my headset despite the noise of our rapid breaths. The sudden change in momentum knocked us off balance. Patrick's heavily suited body and his oxygen-nutrient backpack slammed against me. Although our stature was similar, his frame seemed bulkier and heavier as we collided.
"Shit." With oversized gloved hands, he gripped the sides of his helmet and readjusted it. "They didn't warn us about this fuck of a lift."
"Surprise." My lack of enthusiasm dribbled from my lips.
"Exactly." His halfhearted chuckle emphasized the general mood of the mission, which stemmed from the realization of possible dangers to come, including death.
