Standing in the office’s back room, Simone gripped Ethan’s forearm and, using her free hand, wagged a scolding finger at Dasha. “Don’t do anything stupid, Dash.” “That wasn’t on my to-do list, Mone.” Dasha rolled her eyes. “How long is the tunnel going to be, anyway?” Simone made a waffling gesture. “Hopefully, just a fifteen-minute walk. I’m going to keep it open for an hour. That’s all the energy I can muster up, so synchronize your watch. Your phone clock isn’t going to work right once you get inside.” “I don’t have a watch. I haven’t worn a watch in five years.” “Here.” Ethan pulled his arm away from Simone and undid his watch’s leather strap. He tried to circle it around Dasha’s wrist, but the band was way too big. As they didn’t have time to find some tool to make a new hole, Dasha gripped the watch in both hands and said, in what she hoped was a reassuring tone, “I’ll just hold on.
