Page 96 of (Mostly) Human Resources

“Entity has plenty of resources at their disposal. These should be respected but also utilized on an as-needed basis. Wardens should never hesitate to ask for help should they need assistance while out in the field.”

Entity Employee Handbook: Warden Edition

Their progress was slow. They leaned on the tunnel walls and on each other as they walked. Despite Nic’s constant reassurances that he was no longer bleeding, the amount that already stained his shirt had Alexys nearly dragging him through the tunnels to leave Greenbriar Mine. Her own exhaustion weighed her down, but the feeling of his shoulder pressed against hers was a comfort.

Somewhere along the way, they stumbled upon their backpacks, and Alexys was relieved to know she’d make it home with at leastsomeof her belongings. Nic offered to carry Elliot’s backpack, but Alexys immediately shot him down. She needed to carry it herself.

When they finally stepped out of the mine, Alexys was shocked to see that dawn was just faintly lighting the horizon. Only the very edges of the mountains glowed with the promise of morning sunlight beneath a cloudless sky.

“Felt like we were in there for days,” Nic said. His voice was hoarse, and Alexys tried not to think about the screaming that had caused it.

“Days,” she agreed quietly. “I didn’t …”

He dropped his head to rest his forehead on her hair. “Later.”

Exhaustion filled the word, enough that she worried they wouldn’t be able to make it back before he collapsed entirely. His labored breaths were hot against her skin, but Alexys was just thankful he was still breathing.

And yet, because he was the one and only Nic Dyre, the man managed to pick up his head and look back in the direction they’d come.

Alexys had seen the look enough times over the last few days that it made her shake her head. “Don’t you dare.”

He looked down at her with a sliver of guilt in his expression. It did little to drown the scholarly curiosity she could see all over him. “The Hollow Walker—”

“Is long gone,” she finished for him. “There’s no telling where those tunnels lead. I doubt anyone could find it now.”

“It’s a rarity.”

Alexys closed her eyes, fighting for patience. “Nic, you can’t even stand on your own. I’m not letting you chase after anything.”

“I should’ve taken a picture or something.” Nic looked back once more at the dark entrance of the mine, weighing the truth of her words. After a moment, he asked, “And if Entity sends a Reaper after it?”

“Given the Hollow Walker’s ability to evade even your keen eye for all these years, I’d say it’s safe no matter how many Reapers they send.”

That appeased him enough that he turned back toward the path down the mountain.

She hesitated, unsure of where they were supposed to go next. They only really had one direction they could go. The rest of their belongings, her rental car, any hope of breakfast … “We need to get back to Opal’s.”

Nic stiffened. “Are you sure?”

Alexys was more than reluctant. The thought of returning to the home of the witch who tried to orchestrate their deaths was far from appealing.

He sighed. “I suppose we don’t have much choice. Unless we want to hitchhike to the airport.”

“Fair point.” She wrapped an arm around his waist and helped him slowly make their way down the mountain.

“You up for the hike? It won’t be easy,” Alexys asked, warily.

“Let me worry about that,” he said, a smile tugging at his mouth.

“Stubborn as an ox.” Alexys shook her head.

“As are you.”

Alexys didn’t know how long it took them to make it back to Opal’s house.

The sun was beginning to sink behind the mountains when they finally stumbled through the last stretch, the trees thinning out just enough for her to glimpse the shack in the distance. Thankfully their path had been clear of any other monsters or threats, and she couldn’t help but suspect it all had something to do with Silas. They hadn’t spoken much on the walk out, both too drained to fill the silence. When they’d stopped for breaks, they’d just stare at one another, offering weak smiles. They both looked like they’d been dragged to hell and back.

When they finally broke through the tree line and stepped into the field behind Opal’s house, they stopped short. The little cottage was abuzz with activity.