“I’m worried about that Foster boy.”
“Who?”
“The young black kid,” Harry explained. “He went up that way…” Harry pointed. “And that was a while ago.”
“Think he might be in trouble?” Ben asked.
“I’m worried.”
“Maybe he found a way out and is getting help.”
“That’s a possibility too,” Harry said. “But he’s a kid, Ben.”
Ben looked at his watch. “Okay.” He nodded. “Tell you what. We’ll give him until 7:30 and then I’ll go and look for him.”
“Thank you.”
Ben started to move back to his spot with his wife when it was evident he didn’t need to chase Foster.
Foster had slipped through. Oddly enough, he had a smile on his face.
Ben turned. “What’s going on? You okay?”
“I’m fine. I’m fine.” Foster took a deep breath. “I found a way out.”
“No. No. No. No. No.” A man named Leon, argued adamantly. “I say we stay right here. Stay put. We have cases of water, some food. We’re good. It won’t be much longer until they arrive to get us out.”
“And what if they don’t?” a woman asked. “Then what?”
Ben jumped in. “If we wait here and use up our supplies and then try to find our way out, we won’t have water for the trek or food. According to Foster, it’s not a short jaunt. We have to go up and around the wreckage and then we’ll hit a clear area. We still don’t know if that will lead us anywhere. We may have to turn around and come back. But if it does, it’s still another mile or two until we hit something near Penn Station.”
Foster added, “We’d have to take the old tunnels, the ones not used, once we get to the junction. We can’t take the chance of being on the tracks and having a train or sub coming. I know these tunnels well. I’ve run away down here enough times.”
Leon held out his hand. “There you have it. Let’s listen to the runaway.”
“At least…” Harry said, “he knows the tunnels and had the guts and motivation to find us a way out. And… damn it, he didn’t need to backtrack here. He could have kept going.
“Why didn’t you?” Leon asked. “Why didn’t you keep going for help?”
“I didn’t want to go out there alone. I didn’t know if people would take me seriously. I came back for him.” He pointed to Harry. “I was gonna drag him with me.”
“Can I make that journey?” Harry asked. “The climbing and stuff?”
“Yeah,” Foster nodded. “I’ll help you.”
“I will too.” Abby stepped forward. “I’ll go too.”
Leon raised his voice, “I say we stay. We have injured who won’t make it that far.”
Ben said, “That’s a very valid point.”
“How about this,” Harry spoke up. “You,” he indicated to Leon, “are obviously in good health and physical shape. You want to stay put. Coffee boy over there also doesn’t want to go anywhere. How about you two stay behind with the injured and of course anyone else who’d rather stay behind? And those of us who want to go can take just what we need and leave you guys the rest. We’ll go and we’ll get help. How’s that?”
“That… That will work,” Leon said and nodded. “You’ll stay back with us, right?”
“Oh, balls no.” Harry shook his head. “I’m going. I don’t think there is a rescue crew coming.”
“You’re crazy.”
“Maybe I am,” Harry shrugged. “But I’m not gonna stick around to find out if I was right.” Harry winked and went off to find Tyler.
He wasn’t going to make the boy go, but if he wanted to Harry would be happy to have him along.
It was more than likely going to be a hindrance, but Harry had to bring the box with him. It was more than just a gift he had to give to his friend. The box and its contents could not be replaced. In fact, it was important to generations, not just to an old navy buddy.
So he brought it along.
Ben had grabbed an emergency light and rigged it as best as he could. He explained that he didn’t know how long it would last, but hoped it would until they emerged.
Ten of them left the group in search of a way out and help for the others.
Hours perhaps at tops they would get to an area where they’d find someone, anyone to help them get out.
Harry envisioned what he believed was waiting on them. Not that he didn’t think they’d find help for the others, they would, but he believed what had happened was on a lot larger scale.
Maybe another building blew up, or a terror attack hit the city.
He envisioned emergency workers everywhere. The train station stood a chance of being sealed off or closed down.
They’d emerge, dirty and dusty, blankets would be wrapped around them, and they’d be given a once over for medical reasons.
That was Harry’s vision.
Of course, as they walked and climbed, Harry wondered why rescue workers couldn’t make it from that end. Something had to have happened up in the city.
Harry trudged on.
The next mound of twisted metal was about four feet high; parts of the train formed a semi stepping stone for him. He placed the box on top and stepped up.
Harry had to pause. It was a strain and he started losing his breath. He didn’t realize how winded he was until that moment.
His eyes lifted to the small dirty hand that extended to him.
“You need some help, Harry?” Tyler asked.
