38 Goodbyes

Goodbyes

All other courses had been exhausted, all preparations had been made, and still Harold tarried. Rebecca could not understand why, and was beginning to worry that the tunnel might be discovered before he left. Time and again she reminded him of the impending escape, and time and again he avoided giving an exact date. He seemed to be possessed of the same indecision that plagued many of the miners.

Rev. Paul told Rebecca that Harold was afraid of escape. For three years he had lived in the constant noise and darkness of the Mines, forgetting light and air, and living under the impossibility of escape. Having forgotten the World above, Harold feared it almost as much as he used to fear the Mines, and loved the Mines because they were all he knew.

Rebecca had a hard time believing that Harold could be afraid of anything, but then she had only been in the Mines a month or so, and had a light internment at that.

It took a good deal of argument, but Harold agreed to try to escape. He would have suggested Rebecca come along, but Guard 7801, explained that even the service pipes and ventilation shafts of the Mines were fraught with peril, being full of anti-personnel safeguards and various deadly traps. Rebecca would never make it through. So Harold had to leave her with Rev. Paul, who promised to look after the girl. Rev. Paul himself refused to leave, pointing out that he needed to “watch over his flock.”

They gathered at the tunnel during free time. Guard 7801 rolled the concealing rock aside, exposing the rough tunnel. “Wait for Lockdown to start.” He told him gruffly. “The guards should be occupied with the prisoners then.”

Harold gave the man a shaky smile. “Thank you, sir.”

Rev. Paul coughed lightly and handed him a bag bulging with various provisions. “The brethren done took an offerin’ fer ya.” he explained “None of them had a hankerin’ ta try it thisselves. Maybe later they’ll make a go.*”

“Just as well.” said 7801, nodding. “Too many would attract attention. Better take care of that bracelet now, Harold.”

Sweat trickling down his brow, Harold lifted his arm. It seemed cold and nerveless, and the lethal bracelet on the end gleamed dimly in the dark. His fingers trembled as he unscrewed the panel Abraham had shown him, oh, it seemed so long ago. It fell off, revealing a tangle of twisted wires. Squinting, Harold could just barely see the crucial button and the fatal catch, but the two were dangerously blurred. His hand seemed to waver helplessly about.

Sensing his difficulty, Rebecca reached over and brushed his big hands aside, deftly reaching in and pressing the tiny button. With a small beep, the bracelet fell off. She grabbed it and placed her thumb over the blinking heat sensor, smiling at him. “That’s done, then.”

Harold felt a great weight lift from his chest. His pale face broke into a smile and he gave Rebecca a quick hug. Releasing her, he turned and crouched to enter the tunnel, then suddenly stopped and looked around at his friends.

“I’ll come back.” He promised. “I’ll come back and bring everyone out of here.”

Then he turned again and crawled into the tunnel.

*******************************************

*"The brethren made an offering for you. None of them wanted to try it themselves. Maybe later they'll try."

I imagine everyone must be getting a little tired of this particular series by now. Fortunately, there isn't much more. Only two more submissions, and that's the End of Enter the Mines. I have an idea for a second part about Harold living on the surface, but just ideas, no pictures or anything. It'll probably just sit in my brain doing nothing for years until I have too much spare time on my hands again.

Part 39: Labyrinth [link]