More food came through the hole, this time it was a loaf of bread, then another and another. Up to maybe twenty loaves of bread, then some fresh fruit…bananas, enough for everyone and deliciously juicy apples.
“Remember to eat small portions,” David told everyone, drawing on his own experience from coming back from Syria. “Your body needs to get used to being fed again. Slowly increase the portions over the coming days.”
I drank mostly water and ate some crackers, then topped it off with a banana, and then I was full. I looked at David.
“Now that we have some strength, do you think we should go check who was screaming?”
He nodded. “We’d better.”
Just as we got up to get going, someone entered the cave.
“Hey, can I get a little help here?”
It was Benjamin. In his arms, he was carrying Malene.
63
“I HEARD HER scream and ran through the tunnels towards the sound,” Benjamin said, and put Malene on the ground with David’s help.
“I met her in one of the tunnels. She was so scared. I spoke to her gently and told her it was just me. Then, she fainted, and I had to carry her back.”
“I wonder where she’s been all these days?” I asked, and examined her. She was in a very bad state. Her face was bruised and swollen; her leg looked like it was broken.
“Someone beat her badly,” David said. “She needs medical attention.”
“But how?” I asked.
He sighed. “I don’t know, but we have to somehow tell them on the surface. We have several who need to see a doctor soon.”
Benjamin’s mother Irene brought him water and food. He ate greedily while looking at Malene.
“You did a good thing saving her, son,” Irene said.
Benjamin looked worried. “Will she be alright?”
“Not if she doesn’t get to a hospital soon,” David said.
He walked to the pipe and tried to yell into it. “We need help! Someone is badly hurt!”
I looked at Afrim. Kenneth had made sure to bring him water and food. But he wasn’t doing well either. He was mushroom-pale and shaking. He tried to smile while clinging onto his dog.
It suddenly occurred to me that maybe we did have contact with the outside world, but we weren’t in the clear yet. We were still buried deep underground.
Something was lowered through the pipe. We went to take a look at it.
“It’s a telephone receiver,” Kenneth said. He grabbed the earpiece and listened.
“We need help,” he said. “Medical help. Someone is badly hurt.”
He listened. We all crept closer, like we thought we would be able to listen in as well. My heart was pounding in my throat. Kenneth didn’t look happy.
“But…but we need help now. People are hurt!” he said angrily. “We can’t wait that long. How…”
He stopped to listen again, then removed the earpiece, and looked at all of us. It didn’t look good.
Uh-oh!
“I’m sorry, my friends,” he said. His voice was breaking. “It’s going to take a while for them to dig us out.”
“How long?” asked Lars. The tone in his voice was angry.
“Maybe a month.”
A month????
The news made Annette start to scream. Brian was yelling. Someone was crying; others were grumbling angrily. I stared at David, then at Afrim, Frederic, and Malene.
There is no way they will survive that long down here.
“What are we going to do?” I asked David. I held back my tears, but it was hard. This was brutal. It was more than I could take. I couldn’t even find it in me to be happy that I might see my kids again. Not when I knew Afrim wouldn’t ever get to come with us. Neither would Frederic or Malene. Or Buster, for that matter. How was I ever going to live with myself?
“Why can’t they do it faster?” I heard Brian Jansen ask Kenneth, almost attacking him like it was his fault.
Kenneth took a couple of steps backwards. Brian was acting aggressively towards him. I pulled David’s shoulder, so he could be prepared to step in if it was necessary.
“I…the ground is too unstable…they’re afraid it’ll crash in on us,” Kenneth tried to explain. “They have to be careful.”
“So, they expect us to just stay put down here for a month, huh? Being fed like animals at the zoo?” Brian asked.
“Let’s not…Let’s try and stay calm, shall we?” Kenneth said, but Brian had him pinned up against a wall now. David interfered.
“Stop it, Brian,” he said. “We’re all in the same boat here. Let go of Kenneth.”
Brian looked angrily at Kenneth, then let him go. He grunted as he passed David and me, pointing his finger at us. “I’ve about had it with you two. You better sleep with one eye open from now on.”
64
THEY HAD REACHED the part of the mines where they ran out of tracks, and soon there was no more light either. Martin and Sune had prepared for that and brought flashlights and plenty of batteries. Sune reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. There was no signal, they were now completely out of reach. They had spent the entire day yesterday preparing for going into the mines on their own. They had researched everything there was to know about the mines and the underground, then gone to a shop and bought the right equipment to be able to survive for days. They had brought lots of water and food. They had warm sleeping bags, rope, knives, and pickaxes. They were wearing hiking boots and, most importantly of all, they had brought paper and a pen to map the mines so they wouldn’t get lost. There were two underground lakes in the mines, but no one had ever gone deeper than that, so there was no map, and no one knew what was waiting for them down there. For all they knew, they might run into a dead end, and that would be it.
But at least they would have tried.
Martin felt optimistic, even though he knew the odds were against them; even though it was a long shot, and even though everyone was probably right that they were all dead. Maybe Martin was just refusing to admit that his brother had died. Maybe they were right about that. But he just couldn’t let the thought go…that what if. What if he was still alive underground in the mines somehow?
“We have to go to our right here,” Sune said, and looked at the only map they had managed to get ahold of. The top level of the mines was usually open to the public, but only in the summer. The rest of the year, it was closed to let the bats live and breed in peace. It was a certain rare type of bat that lived in the mines that had to be preserved. Other than that, the mines were only used for conserving cheese from one of the biggest cheese manufacturers in Denmark. Riberhus oste let their cheeses ripen inside the tunnels at one of the top levels for three weeks, because of the constant temperature and moisture in there. They were, apparently, perfect conditions.
“We’ll get to one of the lakes in a few minutes,” he continued. “After that follows the second one, and then we’re on our own.”
They went through a tunnel and ended in a big chamber where the lake was. It was cold and clammy in there. Sune put on a jacket. Martin did the same. They had still only reached the top layers of the mines. It was believed that they continued six layers down. That’s what they knew of, but Sune and Martin had spoken to a local engineer who had told him that it was only a guess. No one knew exactly how deep they went or how far the tunnels spread. In his opinion, they shouldn’t have been allowed to build houses so close to the mines in the first place. He had a colleague who had tried to warn the city about it for years, he told them.
“We believe he fell in the hole with the rest of the neighborhood,” he said. “He was out there taking samples when the crash happened. He had been keeping an eye on the area for a long time, never would give up. I guess he was finally right in the end. Guess being right is highly overrated after all.”
The lake was right in front of them now. It was stunning. The cave was as high as a cathedral, and the water reflected their flashlights. They continu
ed on dry land past it and by the time they saw the second lake, they stopped to get a sip of water from their bottles.
“As soon as we enter that tunnel over there, we’re on our own,” Sune said. “No maps, no help to be had. Are you ready for that?”
Martin nodded. He was scared, but hopeful. This felt good. Finally, he felt like he was actually doing something instead of just watching from behind the police blockage. He was finally trying to really help his brother.
“I’m ready,” he said, and put his backpack back on.
Sune smiled and nodded. “Let’s go then. Let’s go find them.”
Day 15
October 20th 2014
THE ONLY WAY IS UP
65
THE MOOD IN the cave was unbearable. No one spoke anymore. Most were simply sitting with their backs against the wall, waiting. We had been in this state for three days now. It was evening again, and yet another night was ahead of us in the cave. They had lowered a big lamp for us that was lighting up the entire cave. I hated when it was time to shut it off and go to sleep. The nights seemed endless in the darkness.
Was this what we were going to do for the next month? Simply sit here and wait? Wait while some of us might die?
I sat next to Afrim and put my arm around him. He was burning up. I could tell by the look in his eyes that he knew he wasn’t going to make it. They had lowered medicine for the fever, but it didn’t help. The infection was too bad. Buster was panting heavily. He was short of breath and his heart was beating fast. He had hardly touched the water I had given him. He too knew he was running out of time.
Brian Jansen was constantly eating. He refused to listen to David’s advice on taking it slow for the first few days. It looked like he was afraid he was never going to get fed again. Even though they kept throwing food down the pipe several times a day. It was the strangest thing. All of a sudden, getting water and food enough was no issue. It dawned on me how fast your circumstances could change. And you along with it. People in the cave had started to change. They were quarrelling and snapping at each other. I couldn’t blame them. The waiting was a drag.
Benjamin was sitting with Malene. He was concerned about her, and didn’t leave her side. I wished I could give him good news, but there wasn’t any to give. His mother brought him a bottle of water, and he wet Malene’s lips using his finger. I couldn’t stop wondering who had hurt her this badly. We had all been in the cave when we heard the screams, hadn’t we? Could someone have snuck out? And where had she been for more than a week? She seemed well nourished. Had she found food somewhere, before encountering whoever beat her?
The earpiece was lowered every day when they wanted to speak to us. Basically, they told us the same thing every day. They were still working on getting us out, but we had to be patient. Every day, the same damn story. They asked us if we were all right. We told them three kids were almost dying; they told us they were working as hard as they could, but we had to be patient. There was nothing they could do to make it faster.
The earpiece was lowered again. This time Kurt took it.
“Hello? This is Kurt. Kurt Hansen. I used to live in number eleven. If we’re still fine? Well, it depends on how you see it. How many? Well no one has died since yesterday, if that’s what you’re asking me. There are still twelve of us left. Yes, we lost some that survived the crash. Some got lost in the mines; we don’t know what happened to them. What? Let me just ask a second.”
“Hey, listen up, everybody,” he yelled. “Apparently, we’ve become some kind of celebrities up on the surface. There are journalists that want to talk to us, does anyone want to say something to them?”
Brian jumped up. “Give me that,” he said, and pulled the earpiece out of Kurt’s hand. “Yes, this is Brian Jansen. I used to live in number five. Yes, I’m good, but I want to get out of here. Why aren’t we getting out? What do you mean you don’t know? You’re just a journalist from a newspaper? Then go ask them why we’re not getting out faster. Lord knows we’ve been here long enough. What did you say? Spokesperson? Yeah, definitely. More like a leader. Yeah, I guess you could say I’ve been kind of the leader of the pack down here. Yes, you can quote me saying that. TV deals? I don’t know. Who’s saying anything about that? Aha…aha…yes, well I guess I might be interested. Oh, they’re talking about making a movie as well, are they? Well, I might be interested in helping them. Yes, I am the man they should discuss the rights to our story with.”
We all looked at each other. Lars got up and walked towards Brian. He reached out to grab the earpiece. Brian pulled away.
“I want in on this,” he said, and reached out for the phone again.
Brian didn’t let him take it. “I’m talking to them,” he said.
“Give it to me. You’re no more the leader down here than I am,” Lars said.
“Who said any of you are the leader?” Irene said. “I say Rebekka is the leader.”
Please leave me out of this. I don’t want anything to do with it.
Irene looked at me. “You talk to them,” she said. “You’ll make a great deal for all of us. I want you to represent me.”
“Nonsense,” Brian said. “I’m a better negotiator. I was born to lead.” Brian returned to the conversation in the earpiece while holding Lars back with his hand. “No…no, we’re not quarreling down here. We’re fine. You tell any TV producer, reality show, or movie producer that we’re willing to talk money. Lots of money. Have them ask to talk to Brian and no one else. Now, goodnight.” With a grin, he let go of the earpiece and it was pulled out of the pipe.
Lars clenched his fists and looked at Brian.
“You better not try and cheat any of us out of the deal,” he said.
“Easy there, buddy. I’ll take good care of all of you; I’ll even make you rich. The journalist told me they are very eager to get all of us in on TV deals and reality shows; anything about the trapped twelve is in high demand. Yes, that’s what they call us. Isn’t it great?” Brian Jansen slammed his hands together with a satisfied grin.
I wasn’t sure if he was still grinning after the lights suddenly went out.
66
“WHAT HAPPENED?”
Kurt yelled in the darkness.
“Hey! Who turned out the lamp? It’s not time to go to sleep yet,” Lars yelled. “We still have a couple of hours left. Turn the light back on.”
I moved towards the place where I knew the lamp was, while wondering what had made it go out, who had made it go out, when I heard a yell and a loud thud, sounding like someone falling to the ground. Then there was a yell and a gasp.
“What the hell?”
It sounded like Brian.
I reached the lamp and turned the knob. The light immediately went back on. The first thing I saw was Brian Jansen. He was up against the limestone wall with a strange expression on his face and a fire poker pierced through his chest. Blood was flowing from the wound to the ground.
“Oh, my God!” I exclaimed and cupped my mouth.
Right in front of him, still with the fire poker between her hands, stood a woman I recognized from the day of the collapse. She had been in the street debating with Mrs. Sigumfeldt.
“Mrs. Jansen?” Afrim yelled with terror in his voice.
The woman didn’t answer. She grunted and growled, while looking into the eyes of her husband, who was pierced on a fire poker. David sprang to her and grabbed her. He pulled her away. Brian looked perplexed. He stared at the blood and the big hole in his chest where the fire poker was still stuck. He tried to speak, but nothing but blood spluttered out of his mouth. I looked into his eyes and saw the horror when he realized that this was it. Everybody stared, paralyzed, at him, while he slowly and painfully left this earth.
“Don’t pity him!” Mrs. Jansen screamed like a wild beast, while David held her down. “He’s only getting what he deserves. Like the rest of them.”
Kurt approached her. “What have you done, Gitte?” he asked. “You killed hi
m. Why?”
“I should have killed all of you. You and this neighborhood. You think I don’t know what you did, huh? You think I don’t know? You closed the curtains on me. You and your wife. You didn’t want to look at me. You didn’t want to see. You are all monsters!”
“What are you talking about?” Annette asked.
“Like you don’t know. That Saturday night three months ago when I was in the street, asking for help, ringing all the doorbells, and screaming. No one helped me. No one cared enough. I was bleeding…there was blood running from my…running down my legs because of that…pig over there.” Gitte Jansen was sobbing heavily now. I was trying hard to keep track of her story and what was going on.
“He hurt you?” I asked. “And then you ran for help?”
“He beat me. But there was nothing new about that. Everyone knew that’s what he did. But, that time, he kicked me in the stomach.”
Gitte Jansen had a hard time breathing. David let go of her. She bent over and started crying hard.
“He kicked you in the stomach?” I asked.
She lifted her head and looked at me. “I was with child,” she whispered.
Annette and Kurt gasped.
“Don’t give me that,” Gitte Jansen said. “You knew. You all knew.”
Annette kneeled in front of her. “I didn’t know,” Annette said. “I swear, I didn’t know.”
“Then why did you leave me out there in your front yard? I was crying for help. I had no phone. I needed an ambulance. I saw you in the window. I saw all of you. You closed your curtains, so you didn’t have to look at me.”
“I…” Annette looked at Kurt for help.
“We thought you were drunk,” he said. “It was late. You were screaming and acting crazy. We thought you were high on those pills you sometimes take. They make you do things like that. It wasn’t the first time. I swear, we didn’t see the blood. Annette wanted to help, but I told her not to. I told her to leave you alone. I can see now that it was wrong.”