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Ruby Murray’s eyes snapped open. Nothing but suffocating darkness greeted her.

The air was thick and unmoving—her chest heaved, but it brought no relief.

Panic clawed its way up her throat as her head spun, the crushing weight of the earth pressing in from all sides.

Her lungs screamed at the lack of oxygen, and her fingers scraped against unyielding dirt in a blind, desperate search for escape.

Spots swam in her vision, her heartbeat thundering in her ears as the world tilted violently.

It overtook her.

When her eyes opened again, she found only the suffocating blackness. Her chest burned, the need for air swallowing her whole. Her head spun, the void claiming her once more.

And again.

And again.

Each time, the dark greeted her. Each time, it smothered her. She never had time for more than a thought or two before consciousness slipped away.

Where am I?

Endless.

What happened?

Smothering.

How long have I been here?

Silence.

Am I dead?

Endless.

Where’s Andy?

Suffocating.

Is Andy okay?

Quiet.

Is Andy dead too?

Endless.

I saw Andy burn.

Unyielding.

I SAW ANDY BURN.

Stagnant.

I’ll kill that man.

Endless.

Andy.

Inescapable.

I’ll kill him.

Void.

How long had passed? Hours? Weeks?

Endless.

ANDY SCREAMED FOR ME.

Crushing.

I’LL FUCKING KILL HIM.

Sound.

It came from above her, shaking the earth that trapped her.

Light.

It pierced the black, peeking through fractured rubble.

Hands.

They found her—pulled her out of the earth, into the air.