Moments later, Alex joined her. “That was scarier than I expected,” he said, shaking his hands and wiggling his fingers. She looked up the tall chute—accessible by ladder, motor winch, and nothing else—and agreed with him. “I’ll say.” I should’ve listened to Cheryl. But this was their bonding adventure. After Alex had expressed concerns about their future, she vowed to give their relationship everything she had. If we don’t make it, it won’t be because I didn’t try. Accessing her com, a chill prickled her neck when it didn’t respond. “Mine’s dead.” “Mine too.” He looked around the dimly lit chamber. “They must have a suppressor somewhere.” The chamber, cut straight from the bedrock and shaped like an upside-down bowl, had a flat floor and smooth walls that arched up and over to form the curved ceiling. Though circular in shape, the room had a triangular feel to it due to three tunnels, evenly spaced around the room, that led straight out in three different directions.
