Authors: Felicia Rogers
Explosions rocked the walls. They started out slow, increasing in intensity as they followed the trail of charges.
Behind Hannah was a rock shelf. She folded underneath the ledge and waited until everything stopped moving. Once the earth shuddered to a halt, she pushed on the ear piece. “Hank? Hank, come in.”
Static was the only response, and panic threatened to set in.
“Breathe, girl, just breathe.” Moving around, she tested each part of her body. “Everything seems to be working. No bad cuts or head injuries. At least I don't think so. Does a person talk to themselves after a head injury? I don't remember. No, I'm fine. I just need to find a way out. Yes, that's it. I need to get out of here.”
Before the explosions started, there had been an opening above her, but now that path, as well as the one she'd entered by, was blocked by large boulders.
Closing her eyes, she tried to listen for sounds. Deep breath in, deep breath out. Ignore the smell, ignore the smell. Her breathing calmed, and she felt a cool rush of air land on the back of her neck.
Adjusting, she turned and discovered a minute crack. Using her fingers, she picked at it until it grew larger and larger. Blood oozed from cuts, but she didn't stop. Clean oxygen came through, and Hannah drew in a deep breath, coughing and expelling dirt from her nose and throat.
She worked tirelessly until the hole grew large enough to crawl through. Scraping her knees and cutting her hands on the jagged rocks, she pulled herself into a new room. The ceiling was high and Hannah stood and stretched her taut muscles.
Knocking the dust from her headlamp, Hannah directed the light toward the walls. Rivulets of water coursed the rock and pooled on the ground. The walls twinkled like a thousand winking stars.
Tripping over obstacles, Hannah reached the wall. Her hands grazed the cool surface. “Diamonds,” she whispered.
Twirling, she saw the clear gems all around. The irony. To think Tapiwa had been busing people out to caves and other places, selling humans to make money, and this entire time his camp had been built on top of a diamond mine.
She shook her head and left the wall. The wealth of her find meant nothing if she couldn't get out.
Aware of the dangers of falling and breaking a leg, Hannah proceeded with caution.
The large underground cavern was connected by several tunnels. After walking for a while, she became turned around and didn't know which way to go. One way should lead toward the river; the other should go farther under the camp.
Sitting down, she placed her head in her hands. She closed her eyes and offered a prayer of thanksgiving for her survival thus far.
She heard the faint noise of running water. Looking closer, she noticed it ran in a single direction. She should follow it, right? If she was lucky, it would lead her to the river.
Occupying her mind was the difficult part. Had everything gone okay above? Had Mike shown up? Would Hank search for her or just assume her dead?
“Get a grip. You know Rory. He won't be able to sleep at night if he doesn't look for you.”
Even this realization didn't completely ease her fears. A giggle escaped and echoed off the walls with a maniacal sound. If she ever got out of here, then boy, would she have a story to tell.
Mud flaked off in her hand, causing her to lose her grip. She fell.
“Ow. Stupid rocks.”
Embedded in the soft tissue of her palm was a stone. Light from the head lamp reflected off the gem and created a rainbow of colors.
A grimace covered her face as she plucked it free. Placing the object in her pocket, she pushed into a standing position.
The headlamp flickered and extinguished, leaving her in total darkness. She tapped the plastic cover, but no luck. The light was dead. How would she get out now?
****
Rory left the church and raced back to Hank. He was like a man obsessed. He made Hank explain everything at least three times before his injuries could be treated.
Hank had been caught by the last charge when he'd attempted to rescue Hannah.
“I'm going,” declared Rory.
“You'll never find her. The explosions caved in the opening.”
Rory grabbed Hank's collar. “I'm going to look for her.”
“Suit yourself,” Hank said as he turned away and watched the doctor stitch his side.
Rory said, “Olin, can we use the suitcase above to see if there are any open pockets below?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged.
“What about the thermal imaging equipment? Can we direct it at the ground and try to find her that way?”
“After the explosion, I think the rock will be too thick at the entry point.”
“Fine. You and Tina go above, and Gabe and I will use the boat. You can direct me from there.”
Olin and Tina climbed inside the van and left.
Nervous energy raced through Rory. Before the boat's engine came to a complete stop, he waded through the water toward the outside compound walls.
“Olin, how are we?”
“All set. Tina convinced the officials to let us in, but we can't stay long. The explosions weakened the area, and they're afraid of a cave in.”
“Then let's work quickly. I'll wait here until you can give me a direction.”
Rory could hear Olin click his tongue as he worked. The equipment he used worked like sonar. It sent out waves that told depths beneath the surface. When it hit an opening in the earth, it produced a different sound.
It took all Rory's energy to maintain his patience. Too fast and the machine might miss something, too slow and they wouldn't have time to complete their scan.
“I'm going over the initial point of impact right now,” said Tina through the ear piece.
Rory tapped his foot. Until he knew where to begin, he just had to sit here. Then he heard a swift intake of breath in the background.
“It would be a miracle if this girl survived,” said Tina in a hushed whisper.
Rory swallowed. He couldn't give up. He wouldn't give up. She'd waited eight years for him. No way would he let something like an explosion get in his way. He wouldn't leave without her.
****
Hannah's first thought was to sit and rest. In the dark it would be much easier for her to fall and become injured again. But as she reached out and felt the wall, she decided to brave a few steps.
One small step at a time, she edged forward. Every thought was of finding light. Wasn't there a song or something about searching for light in our darkest hour? Regardless, this was her darkest hour, and the light was always sweeter during that time.
Each step led her closer to the water. The sound increased. Without the light to distract her, she tuned into the noise much easier.
If she hadn't placed her hand forward, she would have smacked the wall. But there it was the end of her journey. A sliver of light gleamed around the edge of a large boulder. Squinting, she could just make out the river flowing on the other side.
To the left and right she shifted. Hope soared when she saw the boat still bobbing on the water. Her heart rose to her throat when Rory walked past her position.
She screamed, but noise from the running water covered the sound. Taking a rock from her feet she slammed it into the crevice and chipped away at the opening.
Rory walked farther away. How could she get his attention? Enough light entered for her to see the rock she held. It glittered and she widened her eyes. She didn't hold a rock but a massive diamond!
What had she learned in science class? Diamonds are hard, right?
Taking the gem in both hands, she brought it down against the obstacle keeping her from Rory. First she made three dots, then three dashes, then three dots. She repeated the Morse code for SOS.
It was something she'd learned while researching a book she'd written, which she never thought would come in handy. Over and over she banged out the signal.
It wasn't long before her arms tired and dropped to her side. A cry of agony escaped her throat.
“Hannah? Hannah is that you?” A voice flowed through the hole.
She slid a slender finger through and wiggled it. “Rory?”
“Hannah!” he cried. “I'm going to get you out. Just hold on.”
“Sure,” she answered. Weariness overtook her as she dropped against the wall in relief.
“Hannah, step back. This time should just about do it.”
With the unstable ground above, Gabe, Rory, and Olin worried about a cave in. No one voiced the fear, but it was on their minds.
Moment by moment the hole grew larger until finally, Hannah turned sideways and slid through, falling into Rory's waiting arms.
Nicks and cuts covered her skin. Purple bruises formed. Dirt and mud splattered her hair, skin, and clothing. She was the most beautiful thing Rory had ever seen.
“Oh, it's you,” she said, dropping into his arms and staring at him with a goofy grin.
“Yes, love, it's me.”
“Look what I found,” she said, the grin growing larger as she placed a baseball-sized diamond in his hands.
The edges were jagged, but the thing weighed at least five pounds. She waved her hand. “Donate the money to the church.”
Flabbergasted, he continued to stare. She placed a smaller stone in his hand.
“This one is going in my wedding set. And when are you ever going to propose? You always were a procrastinator.”
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I know. But I had to almost die to be in your arms and hear it. Can we not do that again?”
“Absolutely.”
****
Wrapped in blankets, Hannah listened as Mike relayed all he'd gone through since her call. Bureaucratic red tape and officials calling him a liar almost kept him from helping at all.
“How is Tonya?” Hannah asked.
Mike shifted gears. “She's doing great. Much better now that she knows you're safe. Which reminds me; she said you have to be home before the baby comes.”
Hannah sighed. She wanted to be there, but she didn't know how she would make it on time. So much needed to be done. The diamonds underneath the compound now belonged to the South African government. They'd offered her a sizable fortune to remain quiet about the find. She'd agreed with some caveats. One was the two diamonds she brought out of the mines belonged to her.
Then there was the matter of Korzan, Melanie, and the children. They were safe. However, Korzan decided they needed a change of scenery. With Mike's help, Korzan arranged transport for his entire family to the States.
Gabe, Olin, Hank, and Tina had accepted nothing more than a thank you for their help, then left for parts unknown.
The one-of-a-kind diamond she'd used to tap out Morse code was to be sold at a private auction with the proceeds going to the monastery. They planned to purchase at least two vehicles for travel. Father Thomas even spoke of teaching the sisters how to drive.
The only blight on her happiness was Rory. He'd been by to check on her, but he hadn't said much. Hannah remembered very little of what happened after she'd stumbled from the cave. Everything remained a fuzzy blank.
Sister Mary entered, sending Mike a disgusted look. “You should leave. The patient needs her rest.”
Mike sighed. “Okay. Hannah, remember what I said.”
Hannah nodded.
After shooing Mike out the door, Mary fluffed her pillows. “And how are we feeling today?”
“Good.”
“Do we remember anything new?”
“Why do you keep asking me that? Is there something I should remember?”
The sister looked around then faced Hannah. “I really shouldn't say, but before you arrived, you said something to Rory.”
“I did?”
“Yes, you did.”
“What was it?”
Mary sucked her lip between her teeth. “I've said too much.”
“Butâ”
Too late, she was gone.
Falling against the pillow, Hannah stared at the ceiling.
“So how's our patient?” said Father Thomas as he entered the room.
Hannah straightened, placing a smile on her face. “I'm fine. How are you?”
Father Thomas sat on the edge of the bed, a smile spread across his face. “I can't complain. Your generosity has deeply affected my heart. I don't know how to thank you.”
Hannah shrugged. Money from the sale of the diamond would have had her sitting pretty for years. Tonya was vocal in her thoughts about how stupid it was to give all the money away when Hannah was so strapped for cash, but she knew it was the right thing to do.
“Please, let's move on.”
He smoothed his robe. “Yes, yes of course. Can I get you anything?”
“No. Trust me when I say I've been well provided for.” She closed her mouth and studied her nails.
“Something is wrong?”
“Yes. It's Rory.”
“Ah.”
“He hasn't talked to me, well he has, but he hasn't
really
talked to me since I woke up. No one will tell me anything. Did I do something wrong?”
“You don't remember?”
The bedframe rattled as her hands slapped the mattress on either side. “Do you know how many times I've been asked that question?” She sighed. “Look, all I remember is crawling through the hole, and it was like a dream. The light blinded my eyes. I handed Rory the diamond and then I⦠Iâ”
“Yes? Think, dear.”
“Oh, no. I didn't.” She groaned and buried her head in her hands.
“You didn't what?”
She scooted to the edge of the bed, slinging her legs off the side. Her legs wobbled. “I have to find him.”
“Now, child, take it easy. I'm sure we can bring Rory to you. The doctor said you needed to rest.”
She didn't fight and allowed him to help her back in bed. Once there, she grabbed his hands and gazed into his eyes. “You have to bring him now. This can't wait. I have to apologize.”