Beast Tamer's Rebirth National Treasure Edition novel Chapter 293

Chapter 293

The flashing red light made everyone freeze for a second. Anderson and Sophie were the first to react, rushing into the tunnel bathed in red light to take a look

For the first time. Sophie looked truly panicked. She grabbed a bomb in each hand and shouted, “Run! They’re time bombs”

Realizing the frantic beeping was the sound of the countdown, Sierra’s expression shifted instantly

Elliot asked. Sophie, how much time is left on the bomb

Sophie led them out, yelling. We’ve got three minutes left. There are at least ten bombs in the tunnel, and there’s no way we can defuse them

That shut Elliot up before he could say another word. Anderson brought up the rear, frantically radioing both the team outside and those leading the victims out of Tunnel Two.

He shouted, “Has everyone evacuated Tunnel One? If so, get even farther away, now! How much longer until everyone’s clear of Tunnel Two?

“Five minutes? That’s not enough time. You have to get all the victims out in three minutes, no matter what!” Anderson finished speaking in a rush, his heart pounding like crazy.

They took off running, no one daring to ask if they’d make it. In the pitch-black tunnel, only the crisscrossing beams overhead lit the way. They stumbled and fell, but just gritted their teeth and kept sprinting for the exit, never slowing.

After what felt like forever, the officer leading the victims out of Mine Two finally replied over the radio, gasping for breath. “Officer Anderson, all victims from Mine Two are out and safe. How’s it going on your end?”

Above ground, the safe zone was packed with over a hundred police cars. Officers moved among them, checking on and assisting miners and other victims emerging from the tunnels.

Just as the officer in charge of evacuating Tunnel Two finished speaking, the ground suddenly shook under his feet. Then, explosions started going off one after another, and the tunnels collapsed.

Ethan and the others’ faces set like stone. They ignored the officers trying to stop them and shoved past.

“Sierra, Sophie, Anderson, Elliot!” Ethan yelled, his voice rough with fear.

Timothy and Ryan, pale with fear, reached the collapsed entrance and just stood there, frozen in shock. After what felt like forever, their faces were covered in tears.

Ryan sobbed. ‘Sierra didn’t come out. What are we supposed to do? What do we do now?”

Ethan and Mark were at Mine Two’s entrance, yelling. “Why are you just standing there? Start digging!”

“Alright!” Timothy grabbed Ryan, his eyes blank and his mind frozen, but he kept moving, unable to stop himself.

Timothy and Ryan rushed to the entrance and started moving rocks, their movements almost mechanical. But compared to the collapsed tunnel, Sierra seemed as helpless as a speck before the sea.

After seeing that, the officers, finally snapping to attention, shouted, “Get the rescue squad over here, as soon as possible!”

Then, they quickly dragged the four back, whispering urgently, It’s not safe here, We have to wait for the rescue experts.”

Seeing blood running down Sierra’s forehead, Elliot’s voice shook. “Sierra, are you hurt?”

Sierra’s head spun. The blast had been brutal. They’d barely reached the tunnel when it hit. Shielding the kid in her arms, she took a chunk of debris to the head. Her pants were torn, blood running down her knees.

Sierra shook her head, still dazed, but the thought of the kid made her snap to attention. “Check on the kid and Sophie, quick!”

“I’m fine,” Sophie said, coming to at the sound of Elliot’s frantic voice.

Elliot checked on the two kids. They were clearly shaken to the core, and it wasn’t until Sierra started comforting them that they finally let themselves cry out loud. Anderson wasn’t seriously hurt, but the rest of them were covered in scrapes.

Once Sierra had calmed the kids down, she turned to Anderson. As long as we’re all alive, there’s hope. I’ve got water and some biscuits in my backpack. They should keep us going for a while.

“Anderson, can you check if your radio still works? If it does, please contact the team up top as soon as you can.”

Cell signal in the mine was always spotty, and after the explosion it was completely gone. Now, the only way to reach the outside world was through the radio.

“Let me check,” Anderson said, wincing as he searched the ground for his radio. Finally, he found it buried under a pile of rubble. He pressed the button and tried calling out a couple of times.

Static filled the air, and just when everyone thought it was hopeless, the noise suddenly cut out. Anderson could hear someone on the other end freaking out with excitement.

The voice on the other end shouted, “Chief, Ms. Sterling and the others are still alive!”