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"I did it," she said, staring at the book in awe "We’re free"

Ryan put his hand on Kim’s shoulder as she placed the book on the altar She fel to her knees, and we fel with her In the next an to shake, and s roar echoed through the to us all to cover our ears It was one voice, but alsoutter foulnessand then it was over Silence

Ki smile She had completed herthe Naissance de Deuess I can go home now?" she said

"You can," Bex said "But you’re on your own, and this place is crawling with shel s"

"We could use you here," Jared said, "to help with the birth"

Kim smiled at him It was a relief to final y see the two cohter between them

"I wonder if you stil have your superpower?" Ryan said

Kiut, and he doubled over "It would appear so"

"That wasn’t what I hed

Chapter Nineteen

Trapped

It’s hard to keep one’s days and nights straight when underground If it weren’t for the fa e hours Whether it was the baby, or the less-than-comfortable blow up round, it was iardless, I took naps at one to three hours at a time, around the clock

Ryan and Kih his mattress was noticeably close to Claire’s, sheher distance now that ere all safe As the days wore on, Ryan grew less happy about her cold deuments

It was difficult--after we’d spent so --to sit and wait Asour escape into this to tiround

Jared and I tried toquality ti the birth I wasn’t sure how I felt about Jared delivering our baby, but of all the people trapped in the tomb with us, Jared was my top pick

After thirty days of darkness, tasteless rations, and the saan to wear on all of us Even Bex’s bright and cheery dein ru, and radio reception was hopeless in the deep of Israeli rock Stories in the evenings were soet to know everyone better

"So, that was the first tih I’m pretty sure he let me win," Bex said with a broad smile

"I remember that," Claire said "He didn’t let you win He wouldn’t stop talking about it after you went to bed"

"Real y?" Bex said, his eyes bright

"Real y"

Bex’s smile faded "He died four days after that"

Everyone lowered their chins, unsure how to advance the conversation

Jared final y spoke "That must’ve been hard on you, Bex I don’t think I ever asked you if you were okay"

Bex shrugged "I was, I guess What else could I be?"

"In pain," Claire said "We were all so wrapped up in our oe didn’t even try to help you through it"

"I lad when Jared brought Nina around The faether, then Noe have Ryan"

"We don’t have Ryan," Claire said

Ryan shot her a dirty look, and then softened his features for Bex "Yes you do, man I’m here if you need me"

Claire rol ed her eyes "What would he need you for? To help with a school bul y?"

"To talk to," Ryan said "You knoe used to do before you became so hateful and mean"

Claire crossed her arive me a choice," she mumbled

"What?"

Ryan’s acerbic tone lit Claire’s eyes "You don’t give uys," I said It was far too claustrophobic, even in the large cavern, for anyone to fight

Ryan stood "What kinda choice would you like? The one that includes you stalking ?"

"We can get along without you trying to land the unattainable blonde!"

Ryan’sto do?"

Claire stood, lare "Justback off"

Ryan took a step forward "I love you I l ove you, and you act like I’et lucky"

Jared sighed "I should have packed ear plugs I have nowhere to go"

"You just…" Claire trailed off

I knew she ue to keep fros, which Claire never did

Ryan took another step He was only a few inches from her face "Say it"

"I’ve told you Ato happen"

He shook his head "No, say you don’t love me Say you don’t see me in that way and I’! I’ue excuses!"

"I don’t need excuses!" she yel ed "I don’t want that!" She pointed to us "I don’t want a family like I had or they have! You want children! You want a normal life, Ryan I’m not it!"

"I just want you! Whatever that is, I want it!"