Romy looked pointedly at him and moved back so the others could pass. “Keep going.” She whispered encouragement to them. Phobos patted her back as he passed. Deimos gave her a smile. Thrym asked her if she was all right.

She fell into step behind Elara and grabbed her hand, dragging her, aware that Atlas was turning back to watch her movements from the front.

“Atlas,” called Thrym. “We need your help with Dei.”

Atlas threw one last look Romy’s way before bending underneath one of Deimos’s arms to support him.

“Keep your eyes on the ground in front of you, Ellie. Just focus on that. You’ll be there soon,” she encouraged her friend.

Elara whimpered and did as her lying knot mate asked.

And that was when Romy turned back.

She flew down the tunnel. And she knew that despite not having enough time to return for her, that they would. Because that was what a knot did.

They protected each other until the end.

So she ran, surpassing speeds she’d ever run before. Flying over rock in the flashing red light of the cavern. Romy always thought she’d be running through trees on Earth. Leaping over logs. Leaves brushing her face. Not to be, it seemed.

She skidded into the control room, unable to tell how much time had passed. It didn’t matter because she couldn’t hear her friends in pursuit so they were too late.

Romy sprinted for the green button and pushed it.

She ran back out to the main chamber and watched the doors come down. Her eyes widened as she spotted Atlas hurtling around the corner.

“Rosemary!” he shouted. “Don’t do it! Open the doors.”

She studied the doors’ descent. He wouldn’t make it. “Atlas, please take care of them,” she called. “Go now, and make sure you all survive. I’ll help from down here.”

“Please,” he shouted. Romy faltered at the utter despair in his next words. “I need you.”

The doors were nearly closed. “You have my memory card. Houston will figure it out. Thank you for trying, Atlas. Thank you so much,” she called back, her voice breaking.

She steeled herself. “Take care of them, Atlas. Promise me!”

The bunker sealed with a resounding boom.

Romy watched him for ten minutes as Atlas threw his fists against the bunker wall. He knew how futile his efforts to break in were. He was shouting, but she couldn’t hear anything, until he turned to the camera and then she could read his lips.

“Please open the door,” he said.

She couldn’t look away, even as she refused to listen to his plea.

Ten more minutes passed before he gave up and sprinted away.

She deflated. Even though it was her last wish that he keep them safe, it was also the last time she’d ever see Atlas and his half-smile.

Her eyes fell on the cameras in front of her.