What It Means to Be Worthy

"How about you?"

Selena rose, dusting herself off, and approached me.

Her steps were heavier than usual. Given the struggle and exhaustion we'd just endured, it was only natural.

"I'm fine too. Haa, it's a relief you arrived in time, Big Sis. I really would have died otherwise."

Selena nodded silently.

Further conversation would be a luxury. We didn't know when the ground might collapse again.

We started walking up the steep slope at the upper end of the passage, where the dust had yet to settle.

Even so, Selena insisted on going first. Uncharacteristically, she seemed overly worried about her little brother.

I had no choice but to silently follow behind her.

Pitch-black darkness and air that clogged the lungs. The climb over the rubble of the collapsed bedrock was arduous...