>>127006087
The lift concludes its descent and before she can turn around, I have one hand held out to guide her. The other holds the flashlight ready to illuminate our path. Basedeon, always full of energy, always moving, normally is in motion before the lift even settles, but tonight she is still. She is looking at me. I am looking at her.
"There's no time," she says between heavy breaths, her featureless chest heaving.
"It's the same schedule, we have time if we--" I begin mechanically, but she cuts me off.
"No, there's *no time*," she says as she advances towards me. She is a diamond glittering in the dark with sequins and sweat. I feel like she is towering over me, even though I am hunched over in the cramped crawlspace and she doesn't even have to duck. She hasn't broken eye contact.
She advances in past my outstretched hand and reaches up to place both of her hands on my shoulders. I've guided her a hundred times but we've never touched like this. I want to be strong for her but I think I am already shaking. She pulls me down, down to her level and further, until I stumble down to my knees on the floor.
