Awakening
Page 62
*
“Um, okay, this is weird…” was his thought-after-his-last. He opened his eyes and was surprised to see the same crumbling concrete floor that he had last seen only moments ago. To his fear-addled brain, a dozen possibilities rushed into his brain, each one more outrageous and unlikely than the last.
“Maybe gravity turned off just for me? Or I awakened my long lost ability to fly? Or there is a force field beneath the sky bridge for times like this?”
Still confused, he finally glanced up, and saw that his arm had disappeared into a strange metal cage. But no, it wasn’t a cage, it was Maloch’s hand, gripped tightly around his own.
“Or maybe Maloch managed to grab me before I fell. I’m an idiot…”
Maloch did not seem to care what Barsch thought of himself as he lifted the youth clear of the gap. With barely any effort, Maloch hauled him towards Kingston, who was wearing a look of frozen horror.
“That was some scare m’boy! Are you trying to give an old man two heart attacks in one day?” Kingston’s voice was light and controlled, but his shaking hands and sweaty brow told Barsch just how fearful the old man had been.
Unfortunately, they did not have any time to banter, as a loud, piercing sound filled the air. Barsch rolled onto his side just in time to see the eastern portion of the bridge fall from the sky, taking a large chunk from the east wing with it. This apparently was the breaking point for the entire building, as it followed the bridge a few seconds later. For the next several seconds, the sound of building hitting plaza filled the air, and then it was gone… along with the east wing.
“Not a moment too soon, eh? Said Kingston, after the thunderous noise had finally died down.
“Yeah…” replied Barsch. A combination of shock and relief kept him silent for the rest of the trip across the remaining portion of the bridge. When they at last made it to safety, Alza was waiting for them. Maloch, arriving a heartbeat later, quickly scanned each member of the group and affirmed their well-being. After he was satisfied that none of them had broken any bones or ruptured any organs, he motioned for them to follow him.
With nowhere else to go, they did so, and soon reached the west wing stairwell. Two flights later, and they had made it to the eighth floor. If fate smiled on them, Kingston’s medicine would soon be found, and their journey would be finally over.
At least, that was what was supposed to happen…