Chapter 5
Zeth stood with the man who was apparently his friend, exchanging words with him for the first time in what had apparently been four months.
“Where were you, man?” Turin asked.
He had no idea what was going on. “I…underground, in the mines. Nestor asked me to help his team with the cave-in thing, and…”
Turin’s eyes grew wide. “You were in the cave-in? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”
“I hadn’t reported going down there. I, I just thought I’d get Nestor to let Garon know once it was done. Listen, what do you mean I’ve been gone for—”
“Are the rest alive?” Turin asked, interrupting him. “They—everyone caught in the cave-in was pronounced dead. There were funerals and everything. Are they…I mean, can we…”
Zeth shook his head. The small movement felt like it took all of his energy. “…I was the only survivor.”
“How did you survive? I mean, there wasn’t any food or water down there, right? And how did you dig your way out?”
Zeth opened his mouth, but no words came out for a moment. “I didn’t…I didn’t need to eat or drink. It was only a day.”