Another couple chapters Melly
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As they sat in silence, Mac flicked the little light on his watch. He knew it had to be close to dinner time. "Dad... what time is it?" "It's just after five son, try not to talk. That little air we had is gone. I think they realized it couldn't be done without killing us."
"Hey Mac?" "Yeah Danny?" "I think we need to check everyone. I can barely breathe, and it's pitch black in here, I'm sure people are scared." "Alright Danny, you start left, I'll start right. Remember to keep track on how many dead."
As they cautiously crawled along the ground, they asked everyone of they were okay. When they had finished, Danny added three more to the list.
"That makes a total of seventy two Mac." "I know Danny. Get back to your family. It's not going to be long before any of us are able to breathe."
"You're not giving up, are ya Mac? That's not like you." "No... it's not. But even I know when to draw the line. Like it or not Danny, we are almost at the end of it." Nodding his head, they made their way back to their families.
Back outside, Sheldon was working with the rescue teams.
"There has to be another way for them to get air. Did you try inside the Church? If they are all on the left side, we should be able to push the tube through the right side." "I'm telling you Dr.Hawkes. This whole site is ready to collapse, I honestly don't think we'll ever get them...."
"Don't say it, yes we will." "Where are you going Dr.Hawkes?" "To plead our case. Cause there is no way in hell, I will allow my family to die."
While they waited the Chief noticed the Army search and resuce team pull in. "This was what you pleaded for?" "Yeah. Walking away Sheldon tried not to lose faith.
Once they had everyone where they needed to be, they set up a medical station, food area, and lots of blankets. they knew this was going to be a long night. For each layer had to be removed with care. One wrong piece, and the remaining Church would collapse killing them all.
"Dr.Hawkes... I"m Sgt.Billings, if you could show me where you attempted to put in the air hose." "Sure... this way."
When they arrived to the back of the Church, Sheldon showed them the small hole he had made. "This is where I placed it, but once we turned on the motor and the air went through, it caused more rubble and debris to fall."
"Okay... it may be safer to feed the hose higher up. It's very important when you place the hose through, that it's in the stones that are semi loose. If you put it through where it's tight, the layers underneath will collapse."
Watching as they lowered the hose, Sheldon tried not to get in the way.
Back underground everyone was sweating, and gasping for air. Joining hands together, Mac started to reciet the Lord's prayer. As he got to "on earth as it is in heaven." He felt the rush of air. Stopping the prayer, he inhaled deep.
"It's air, do you feel that? Does anyone feel the air?" "Yeah... yeah we feel it Mac." Getting up Mac checked his family to make sure they were all okay. "Stella... Stella... wake up love. I need you too breathe." "Come on Stel... Stella."
"Daddy... is mommy okay? Get her to wake up daddy." Mac continued to shake her, but Stella still wouldn't wake. Laying her down, he raised her neck, opened her mouth, and breathed his life back into her. Twice now she had stopped breathing.
After about six quick breaths she coughed. "That's it love... breathe slow. Nice deep breaths." "Maaac... she whispered out. Where's... the ...air... coming from..." "I'm not sure love, they must have found a safe area to feed the hose through."
"Daddy... does this mean they are going to get us out?" "I hope so love. MJ, son... how are you doing?" "I'm good dad, I'm going to check on Caroline and Tyler." Making his way to his brother and sister, he found them asleep.
"Tyler... Caroline, wake up. Come on guys wake up." "Caroline... wake up." Slowly opening her eyes she seen her daddy. "Daddy... daddy you're alive." "No Caroline... it's MJ... it's your brother." "I want daddy MJ, I just want daddy." "I know sweetheart. Tyler how you doing?"
Coughing to catch his breath, he whispered... "I'm okay... but where is daddy and Lea?" MJ tried to hold his patients. "They didn't make it Tyler. They are in heaven with Serina, Sasha, and Selina." Still coughing, MJ held his brother close while he cried.
"Eric... how's Mackenzie, the girls and li'l Eric?" "We're good Mac.
Everyones holding on." "Good. Danny... how's your family?" "We're good Mac, no worries." "Don... are you and Jess okay?" "Yeah Mac. Do you think they are closer to getting us out?"
"I'm not sure Don. But at least we have air, so that's a start." "Hey Mac... remind me when we get out of here to find Sheldon and smack him one." "Why Danny?" "Cause he should have been here with us." Laughing Don said... "yeah... ME's have all the luck."
"Maddy... how are you feeling?" "I'm good dad. Don't worry. I just hope they get us out soon, cause I'm starving." "I know Maddybee, I think we all are." Making his way back to his family, they all huddled together.
"Papa... if Lea and daddy are dead. Who will Tyler and I live with?" "You'll live with us sweetheart. We will be keeping you."
Back outside, the first team started a second line.
"Alright Hawkes. We have another line through. What we need you to do, is yell through the tube." "You want me to yell through it?" Won't it bring another pile of rubble and debris down on them?" "It might. But we need to know they are alive. Otherwise there is no use working this hard to bring them out. I know it sounds cold and calculated, but unfortunetly it's reality."
Hawkes nodded, he understood that it took alot of time and money for these operations. Placing his mouth near the tube he yelled down...
"Maaaaaaaac... Maaaaaaaac... can you hear me?"
"Listen Mac, you here that? It sounds like Sheldon." Getting up Mac yelled back up...." we are here Sheldon, we're here." "Okay Mac... stay calm, we are trying to get too you. Is anyone hurt?" "A few Sheldon."
Just as Sheldon was about to yell back, the rubble crumbled down on top of Mac.
"Daaaaaaaaaaddy." While Stella grabbed Michelle, to stop her from crawling over, Don, Danny and Adam ran to his side. "Jesus... careful you guys. Remove the large piece first," said Danny. As they lifted it off of Mac, they heard Sheldon call again, shaking the rubble.
"Damn it Sheldon... stop yelling, you're going to kill us all. Mac's been buried by the vibrations."
Looking up at Sgt.Billings, they knew the rescue now seemed impossible.