Page 111 of Twilight Tactics

Thank you, Lord.

She pushed herself up, wincing. She still gripped the stun gun flashlight and pointed it back toward the entrance.

A solid wall of debris blocked the tunnel. No way back—but at least her pursuers couldn’t get to her this way. She drew in a breath. Then choked. After a coughing fit, she was finally able to breathe easier.

Oh please let there be a way out, God. I’m not so sure this was the best idea.

For a moment, claustrophobia clawed at her. She was trapped in an abandoned mine with a light that seemed to be slightly dimmer than when she’d started, and no clear way out.

And somewhere on the other side of that cave-in, Iris and her people were probably looking for another entrance. Or digging.

Sully,please be looking for me!

Elena continued down the tunnel.

The passage narrowed, forcing her to turn sideways in places. The air grew thinner, harder to breathe. Or maybe that was just panic tightening her chest.

The two escapes blended together. The second time, they’d left the compound for good.“Almost there, El. Just a little farther.”

Her mother’s voice echoed in her memory, so vivid she almost looked around for her. “You deserve better than this life. We’re going to stay with the Sullivans tonight, then tomorrow, you’re free.”

“The Sullivans?”

“They own the ranch I pointed out to you that one time we took a detour to the post office. They have a granddaughter about your age. Her name is Maya. I think she’s there now.”

“Okay. But I don’t want to do this without you. I’ll miss you. I need you.”

“I’ll miss you desperately, but this is the only way. Your father and LaRoche will look for us. He’ll probably even hire private investigators. There’s a school in Maine I’ve arranged for you to go to. Your name is now Elena Thompson. Say it over and over in your head and get used to it. Do this and don’t look back, okay?”

“Okay, but come with me. Please!”

“I can’t take the chance that he’ll find us. If he finds you, he won’t find me, because you won’t know where I am. And I’ll never tell him where you are.”

“Will I see you again?”

“Of course. One day when it’s safe.”

And she had. She’d had two beautiful months with her mother before she’d passed away. It hadn’t been long enough. Hate for the man and the organization that had dictated theevents of her early life swept through her. Choked her worse than the dust from the cave-in.

The tunnel widened into a chamber where several passages branched off. Elena stopped, playing her light over each opening. Which way led out? Her memories of her two journeys through this mine were fragmented, one clouded by fever and the other the passage of time.

She closed her eyes, trying to remember. They’d gone ... left.“Lots of lefts.”Then left at the next fork. Or had it been straight, then left?

A distant shout reached her and her breath seized. They’d found another entrance, or the cave-in hadn’t been that bad and they’d dug their way through. Most likely the latter. She hadn’t passed any openings before the cave-in.

Elena’s heart pounded against her ribs. She had to choose. Now.

She studied the ground, looking for any sign of previous passage. Nothing. She pulled in a ragged breath.Oh, God, help me, please.

Which way? Which way?

Okay, which way looked like it went up. She definitely remembered going up. Elena entered the left passage, moving as quickly as she dared. She did seem to be going up. The tunnel curved, then split again. She paused, listening. Nothing. Maybe voices, maybe just her ears playing tricks on her.

“Lots of lefts.”

She took the left fork. Definitely sloping up.

The air grew fresher. She must be getting closer to an exit. Elena quickened her pace, ignoring all her aches and pains.