TRAPPED 2

TRAPPED 2
It was already late, and the rescue team needed to rest for the night. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't wrap my head around everything that was happening.

Just like Eric said, Gia had managed to figure things out. If we still couldn’t find Brianna by the end of tomorrow, we would have no choice but to tell her parents.

"Hey, you need to eat and rest, or you'll be too weak to do anything tomorrow," Eric said, his voice laced with concern.

"I don't have the appetite for food, and sleep feels impossible right now," I admitted, rubbing my temples.

"I need you to try. You have to keep up your strength. Brianna is fine—we just need to find another team willing to work through the night."

"Is that even possible?" I asked, glancing at him with a flicker of hope.

"Yes," he nodded firmly. "Now go and rest. Handling Gia is already a handful, so don't add to my worries."

A small smile tugged at my lips. "Thanks, Eric."

"I'm just doing my job as her brother," he said, but his voice held a quiet warmth that didn't go unnoticed.

Brianna's POV

I rested my head for a while, waiting for the kids to regain their strength before I started figuring out a way to get us out. But even with my eyes closed, sleep refused to come.

After a few minutes of tossing and turning, I gave up and sat up, glancing at the children. They looked peaceful, but I couldn't shake the weight of responsibility pressing down on me. I needed to check our surroundings again.

I carefully got to my feet and moved through the wreckage, scanning for anything that could lead us to safety. But after searching for what felt like forever, I still found nothing. Frustration curled in my chest as I made my way back.

The kids were awake when I returned. I offered them more food and water, ensuring they had enough strength before making my decision.

"Alright, guys," I said, kneeling in front of them. "I need you all to cooperate with me. I found an exit leading to the front door, but if we're not careful, we could end up trapped again."

They nodded, eyes wide with a mix of fear and hope.

"We're going one at a time, okay?"

"Okay," they chorused.

The only passage I found led straight to the front door. If the rescue team was going to find an entrance, it would be through there. But there was a problem. The opening was too small. The kids could squeeze through easily, but I knew I wouldn’t fit.

Still, I focused on getting them out first. One by one, I guided them through the narrow gap until only Joshua remained—the little boy who had been braver than the rest.

"What about you, Miss?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"I'll be fine," I assured him, forcing a smile. "I need you to stay with the others. Take this—there's enough water and food inside." I handed him my bag, gripping his small hands gently.

"But we can't just leave you behind," he whispered, tears welling in his eyes.

"Joshua," I said softly, "I need you to listen to me. Keep the others safe, okay? I’ll stay here and wait for the rescue team. I can’t fit through this space, but you can."

"Then let's all stay and make a bigger space for you!" he insisted stubbornly.

"No," I shook my head. "I’m sure your parents are worried sick. I need you to go. If you really want to help me, get out of here and find a detective named Dax. Tell him to find me. Can you do that?"

He hesitated, wiping at his tears before nodding. "Okay."

"Good," I whispered. "Don’t cry. Be strong for the others. Now go."

I watched as they all made it safely to the other side. My heart ached, but I knew I had done the right thing.

Now, I was alone. And my biggest problem?

I had no idea how to get out of here.

Just then, I saw a crack running along the wall—this place was about to collapse.

"Joshua! You guys need to run now!"

"Miss!"

"Just run!!"

I had to get out of there immediately. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. The moment I reached a safe zone, I watched in horror as the entire floor crumbled into nothingness.

Panic gripped me. Were the kids safe? I had no way of knowing. The thought consumed me, distracting me so much that I didn’t see the falling block until it was too late.

I barely managed to dodge, but it struck my leg, sending a searing pain through my entire body. I screamed, my breath hitching as I struggled to lift the heavy debris off my leg.

For what felt like an eternity, I couldn't move. My back pressed against the cold, crumbling wall as I tried to recover from the pain that was now radiating through me in sharp waves.

When I finally forced myself up, a new problem arose—I couldn’t walk. My injured leg throbbed mercilessly, and I knew immediately that something was broken. Gritting my teeth, I dragged myself forward, searching for something to support my weight.

Relief flooded me when I spotted a sturdy stick. I tore a strip of fabric from my clothing and bound the stick tightly to my leg, wincing as fresh pain tore through me.

The agony was unbearable. My entire body was drenched in sweat. I reached for a water bottle, chugging it in one go, trying to steady my erratic breathing. I just hoped the kids had made it out safely.

My eyes flickered to the walkie-talkie beside me. Anger surged through me as I picked it up and hurled it away.

That idiot from the rescue team must have given me a faulty one on purpose.

Now I was stuck, alone, with no way out. And worse, I didn’t even know if the children were safe. Maybe I shouldn’t have sent them off without me. Maybe I should’ve stayed.

Dax’s POV

We cleared the debris blocking the front door, and there they were—the kids. They were shaken, terrified, but unharmed. Relief washed over me. At least they were safe.

But where was Brianna?

Dread settled in my gut. She should’ve been with them. My mind raced through every possibility, none of them good.

As I was lost in thought, a boy stepped forward, his small frame trembling.

"Are you Detective Dax?" His voice wavered, and I noticed the backpack slung over his shoulders. It had "Rescue Team" written on it.

A sharp pang of realization hit me. She had been with them. They were together before something happened—something I refused to let my mind consider.

"You were with her? The pretty detective?" I crouched down to his height, watching his eyes fill with tears.

"Yes," he whispered before the dam broke. He started sobbing.

I placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Hey, I need you to take a deep breath and tell me what happened."

He sniffled, wiping his face. "She helped us get out, but... she couldn’t fit through the space. She told me to find a detective named Dax and ask him to save her. Right after that, everything collapsed."

I clenched my jaw, forcing back the rising panic.

"You did great, kid. You kept them safe, just like she asked. Your parents will be here soon, so I need you to stay with the officers until they arrive, alright?"

He nodded, still wiping away tears. "Please find her. She believes in you."

My chest tightened.

"I will."

As soon as he walked away, I turned to the rescue team. "Let’s go. We’re clearing this path now."

They all looked at me like I was insane.

"Dax, it’s impossible," one of them muttered. "The entire structure collapsed. There’s no way she’s still alive."

I shot him a glare. "She’s in there. I know it."

They tried to reason with me, but I wasn’t hearing it. I wasn’t giving up. I would find her.

Gia’s POV

I was losing my mind.

The kids were safe, but Brianna was still missing. It had been hours. I felt like I was suffocating.

Eric had finally decided to tell his parents, but it was too late. The news had already reached them. Mrs. Cromwell collapsed the moment she heard. She hadn’t regained consciousness since.

Eric was barely holding it together. He had been calling for backup all day, but every team that went in eventually gave up.

But I couldn’t give up.

I couldn’t stop shaking. My hands felt cold, my throat dry. I was powerless.

Brianna, where are you?