Shen Lian did not argue with Sun Binghe, but stayed close beside him so he could react in time if anything happened.
Yet when they shone the flashlight out through the opening, they discovered that the worst of the collapse was confined to the area beneath their feet. In the stretch of tunnel ahead, fallen rocks lay only every few yards, and the space was not cramped at all.
At the far end, light filtered through a few scattered gaps between the rocks.
"Wait." Shen Lian doubled back for the first-aid kit, stuffed the remaining bottles of water wherever they would fit in his coat and trouser pockets, then quickly looked around. There was no food in the car. This was all they had.
Both men were extremely cautious as they passed through the opening. The stones underfoot were uneven, and Shen Lian stumbled several times. Their footsteps echoed clearly through the vast, empty space. They had barely gone a few steps when a clatter came from behind them. Sun Binghe turned and saw that falling limestone had buried most of the opening.
They still had a little luck on their side.
Not daring to delay, they hurried toward the light at the exit.
Then the wind and snow hit them squarely in the face.
Shen Lian and Sun Binghe drew deep breaths, then shoved and jostled each other back into the tunnel. They dared not venture too far inside, so they sheltered behind a fallen stone block.
Returning to the car was out of the question. If anything above it came crashing down, they would be reduced to pulp.
Shen Lian took out his phone and checked it. The signal was weak, and the cracked screen was not very responsive. Sun Binghe's phone was intact, but it showed no