“We don’t have much time.” Steven hobbled across the room, opening a cabinet. Pressing a series of buttons on the top of the safe inside, he lifted out a single flash drive on a metal chain. He then moved to the only other door in the room.

Again, he pressed his thumb on a keypad, and a thudding sound came from behind it. He pulled it open, revealing only darkness beyond. “Now.” He motioned them in.

They didn’t hesitate. Once in, Steven closed the door. A dim light flickered on, revealing a long, dark, earthen passage stretching out before them.

“What in the world?” Quincy said softly. “Where does that go?”

Steven reached for a glass case embedded in the wall. Lifting the cover, he pulled out a hefty flashlight hanging beside a single red button. Taking a deep breath, Steven pushed the button.

“Run,” he said, thrusting the flashlight towards William. “Run and don’t stop. You have eight minutes. You will reach a ladder about a half mile down. Climb it and follow the path outside. It will lead you to a boat. Take it and don’t stop. Do you understand? Take this flash drive. Give it to your grandmother. It must get to her.”

Even in the earthen tunnel, the sound of repeated battering could still be heard above.

“Ok, let’s go,” Quincy said.

“Take it,” Steven said, forcing the chain with the attached flash drive around William’s neck.

“William, let’s go!” Quincy said.

“Come on,” William motioned to Steven.

The strain on the man’s face was apparent, even in the dim light. “I wish we had more time, William. Tell you grandmother—”

“No,” William said. “Quincy, take Lily and run.”

Quincy took the flashlight from William and pulled the girl to follow.

“Let’s go.” William reached out for Steven’s shoulder.

“There’s no way I can keep up—”

“Then I guess you’re going to die on the way instead of here.”

“I cannot, William. I had a heart attack ten years ago—”

William ushered him down the passageway. “You’ve got too much to explain for me to just leave you.”

“I’m already worn out—”

“Then get on,” William ordered, turning around.

“You can’t—”

“Do it, Steven!”

He hesitated a moment, and then climbed onto William’s back. The old man was lighter than William thought, hitching him up.

“We don’t have much more time.”

William ran as fast as he could, heedless of how much the man jostled on his back.

The flashlight had stopped. Quincy and Lily waited.

“Don’t stop!” Steven called out.

William tried to motion them to keep running, but Lily appeared to be straining to hold Quincy back until William was closer. As they met, William heard Quincy mutter something about Luke and Master Yoda.

“This is my worst nightmare,” Quincy huffed. “Please don’t cave in. Please don’t cave in.”