Brad Meltzer - The Zero Game

Oh, no — don’t tell me it’s-

A high-pitched buzz erupts above my forehead. I immediately look up — but it doesn’t take long to realize the sound’s coming from my helmet. In front of me, the yellow glow from my light takes on an almost gold color. Before, I could see at least fifty feet in front of me. Now it’s down to thirty. I pull the helmet off my head and stare into the mine light. It pulses slightly, its color fading. I don’t believe it. My hands start shaking, the light quivers back and forth, and I stare down at the battery pack on my tool belt. Viv was right about the charging station… The problem is, as the light on my helmet hums once more and fades to a brown, it’s becoming increasingly clear I picked the wrong side.

Spinning around as quickly as I can, I tell myself not to panic — but I can already feel the tightening in my chest. My breathing rises and falls at lightspeed, trying to compensate. I look up… down… side to side… The world’s starting to shrink. Along the walls and floor, the shadows creep in closer. I can barely see back to the red wagon in the distance. If I don’t get out of here fast…

Darting forward, I sprint full speed back the way I came, but the thousands of rocks underfoot make it even harder to run than I thought. My ankles bend and turn with every step, fighting for traction. As the walls of the tunnel blur by, the helmet light jerks wildly in front of me, struggling to slice through the darkness like a dying flashlight through a cloud of black smoke. Worst of all, my breathing’s at full gallop. I’m not sure if it’s the depth of the mine or just plain fear, but within a minute, I’m completely winded. I’ve run marathons. This can’t be…

A sharp burst of air leaves my lips, sending dust twirling through my still-fading light. I breathe in… then exhale just as fast. I can’t slow it down. I’m already feeling light-headed. No, don’t pass out. Stay calm , I beg myself. I don’t have a chance. I glance down at the oxygen detector, but before I can get a look, my foot clips a rock, and my ankle twists out from under me. Falling forward, I drop the detector and put out my hands to break my fall. With a crash, I skid across the ground, getting a fresh mouthful of dirt and a sting in my left wrist. I can still move it. Just a sprain. My mine light fades to amber, and I lose another eight feet of visual distance. Scrambling to my feet, I don’t even bother to stop for the detector. If I don’t get out of here now… Don’t even think about it.

Picking up speed, I focus on the white gym membership card that’s dead ahead. Those bread crumbs are my only way out. My light shrinks to a fading candle. I can barely see twenty feet. At this rate, I don’t think I’ve got another thirty seconds.

Locked on the gym card, I have to squint to see. There’s no time to take it slow — I’ve still got ten feet before I reach the archway it marks. If I can get through there, I can at least get one last look at the other bread crumbs so I know where to turn. The candle flickers, and it takes everything I have to ignore the burning pain in my chest. Almost there…

To make it easier, I hold my breath, my eyes glued to the archway. Don’t let it go. Don’t lose it . As the light shrivels, I lean forward. I’m still not there — and as my hand reaches out for the opening in front of me, the entire cave and everything in it goes completely… and utterly… black.

“Welcome to two quail,” the maître d’ said as he cupped his hands together. “Do you have a-”

“It should be under Holcomb ,” Barry interrupted with perfect charm. “Party of two…”

“Holcomb… Holcomb…” the maître d’ repeated, his glance lingering a second too long on Barry’s glass eye. “Of course, sir. The window table. Right this way.” Extending his arm to the left, he pointed Barry toward a meticulously set table that sat in a small, private nook at the front of the restaurant. Barry turned his head but didn’t take a step.

“Sir, shall I-?”

“We’ll be fine,” Dinah said, holding Barry’s elbow and walking him toward the table. “Thank you for offering.”

As Barry tapped his cane, Dinah glanced around the restaurant, which was decorated to evoke the feeling of an eclectic but wealthy family home. Unmatched silverware and antique furniture gave it plenty of charm; its location within walking distance of the Capitol gave it plenty of lobbyist clients.

With a quick pat-down of the table and its two ultrahip chairs — one wing-back, one art deco — Barry motioned for Dinah to sit, then took the seat opposite her.

“The waiter will be with you shortly,” the maître d’ added. “And if you need additional privacy…” With a sharp pull, he tugged a cord by the wall, and a burgundy velvet curtain slid into place, separating the nook from every other table in the restaurant. “Enjoy your lunch.”

“So what do you think?” Barry asked.

Dinah craned her neck, staring through a thin opening in the curtain. She didn’t usually eat in places like this. Not on a government salary. “How’d you find this place?” she said.

“I actually read about it in a book.”

Dinah was silent.

“Why, you don’t like it?” Barry added.

“No… it’s fine… it’s great… I just… after Matthew…”

“Dinah…”

“ He should be the one sitting here.”

“Dinah…”

“I can’t help it… our desks are so close they’re almost on top of each other — every time I look over at his stuff, I just keep… I keep seeing him. I close my eyes and…”

“… and he’s standing right there, hunched over and scratching at that bird’s nest of blond hair. You think I don’t feel the exact same thing? I spoke to his mom the day it happened. And then Pasternak. That alone… I haven’t slept in three nights, Dinah. They’ve been my friends for years — ever since-” Barry’s voice cracked, and he stopped himself.

“Barry…”

“Maybe we should just get out of here,” he said, standing to leave.

“No, don’t…” She reached for his sleeve and held tight.

“You said it yourself.”

“Just sit,” she begged. “Please… just sit.”

Slowly, cautiously, Barry made his way back to his seat.

“It’s hard,” she said. “We both know that. Let’s just take some time and… Let’s just try to have a nice lunch.”

“You sure?”

“Absolutely,” she said as she picked up her water glass. “Let’s not forget — even with all this, we’ve still got a big day ahead.”

As the darkness hits, I keep my arm outstretched in front of me to stop myself from ramming into the wall. I never get there. My foot sinks into a divot, and I lurch off balance. Crashing into the ground, my knees tear across the rocky floor, making me feel every stray, pointy pebble. From the loud rip and the sudden pain across my kneecaps, I feel another fresh hole slice through my pants. I again put my hands out to break my fall, but the momentum’s too much. Sliding headfirst into home plate, I face-plant across the gravel as the rocks roll against my chest. By the time I open my eyes, I taste my ever-present mouthful of dust and dirt, but this time, I can’t see it. I can’t see anything. Anything.

Coughing violently and still fighting to catch my breath, I feel a final hunk of yesterday’s grilled cheese hurl up my esophagus and slam into the back of my teeth. I spit it out and hear the wet splat against the floor. Lying on the ground until my breathing settles, I keep my eyes shut, trying to take a small victory in the fact that I at least was smart enough to leave bread crumbs. It doesn’t do any good. The darkness is already overwhelming. I hold my hand to my face, but nothing’s in front of me. I bring it close enough that I’m touching my eyebrows. Still nothing. This isn’t like shutting the lights in your bedroom and waiting for your eyes to adjust. I wave my hand back and forth. It’s like it doesn’t even exist. Still fighting for proof, I close my eyes, then open them. No difference.