Hans presses his large hand against my back. “Yes.”
Yes. He just says yes.
His hand applies pressure. “And we have about fifteen seconds left before mine blows.”
So much for always telling my house goodbye.
Then I register the rest of what he said and hurry to the exit.
My hands are still trembling from watching Hans in action upstairs, and it takes me two tries to get the flashlight on. When it illuminates the tunnel, I run.
The ceiling is low, the walls are narrow, and I hate running, but I felt that tremor from my house across the street. I don’t want to be underneath Hans’s house when it explodes next.
My heavy breathing is echoing through my ears, but I hear Hans behind me when he says, “Two… One…” Then he loops his big arm around my waist.
As soon as he has a hold of me, the world around us shakes. Our feet stop, and Hans pulls me into his body, bending over me. Shielding me.
But when there are no loud cracking sounds, and the tunnel stays intact, Hans urges me forward.
