“What? Are you crazy? I’m not walking back through all those tunnels by myself!”
“It’s easy,” Diesel said. “They’re spray painted. The only other option is to come down here.”
I looked over the edge. “It’s a long way.”
“I’ll catch you.”
“Anarchy said there were spiders and bats that way.”
“And?”
“I don’t like spiders and bats.”
“You have to choose.”
“Okay, I’m coming down.”
“Great.”
I was on the edge of the hole, but I couldn’t bring myself to jump. I’d start, but then I’d chicken out.
“Oh, for the love of Pete,” Diesel said.
I glared down at him. “This is all your fault. This was your stupid idea. And then you went and fell in the hole. What the heck were you thinking?”
“I was thinking I had to get the tablet.”
“Even your monkey knew it was a bad idea, but did you listen to him? No, no, no.”
“Women,” Diesel said to Carl. “Can’t live with them. Can’t live without them.”
“Ugh!” I said. “Idiot! I’ll meet you at the car.”
I turned and huffed off to the W tunnel, put my head down, and stomped and swore, following the yellow splotches. “Stupid, stupid, stupid!” I said. “I can’t believe I got talked into this harebrained idea.” A spider as big as a silver dollar dropped onto my arm, and I backhanded it off into the black beyond. “Special abilities, my foot. Enhanced senses. See where that gets you. For sure not out of a twenty-foot hole. At least I can make cupcakes.” I passed through the smaller domed room, and several sets of glittery little eyes reflected light from my headlamp. The eyes started to move toward me and I yelled at them. “Do not mess with me. I’m not in a good mood. Shoo!”
I marched through yet another tunnel, on a rant about Diesel and rats and roaches, and I looked ahead and saw the ladder. I was up the ladder and out the trapdoor and revolving door in a heartbeat. I took my headlamp off, ran my hands through my hair, and shook myself to make sure I didn’t have hitchhikers. I took a minute to calm myself, and then I left the building and walked out into the night air.
By the time I got to the car, I was worrying about Diesel and Carl. Diesel was down there without a map or yellow paint splotches to guide him. He was a big, strong guy. He was brave. He was smart. He could block bad energy and do who knows what else. None of that would help if a tunnel caved in.
An hour later, I was still waiting. I watched my cell phone for a text message, and I tried calling Diesel’s phone. Nothing turned up on either. I was cold and I was scared. The car was locked. My purse was inside the car. A man and a monkey I loved, at least some of the time, were trapped underground. I decided I’d give Diesel until ten o’clock, and then I’d get people into the tunnels to search for him.
A little after nine, I was sitting on the curb by the Aston Martin, and I felt hands at my waist and was lifted to my feet.
“I was worried about you,” Diesel said, wrapping his arms around me, holding me close. “I should have been more careful.”
He kissed me, and just when it was getting really interesting, Carl climbed up my back and sat on my head.
Diesel took Carl off my head and remoted the car open. “I was afraid you might leave without me.”
“I didn’t have a car key.”
Diesel opened the door for me. “Is that the only reason?”
“Of course not. I wouldn’t leave Carl stranded.”
Carl rushed into the car and jumped into the backseat. Carl was ready to go home.
I blew out a sigh. “I wouldn’t leave you stranded, either.”