Chapter 118
Turner stumbled deeper into the abandoned tunnel.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
His lantern had long since burned out, leaving only the faint light filtering through cracks in the stone behind him.
His head throbbed.
Every breath burned his lungs.
The wound on his side had soaked through the bandages he had wrapped around himself hours ago.
He reached out, placing one hand against the tunnel wall to steady himself.
Just a little farther...
Just make sure everyone is safe...
His vision blurred.
The tunnel seemed to sway around him.
He blinked several times, trying to clear his sight.
It didn't help.
The world tilted.
His knees buckled.
Without another sound...
Captain Turner collapsed onto the cold stone floor.
Elsewhere inside the forgotten shaft...
Brian led the rescue team carefully through the narrow tunnel.
"Watch your footing," he warned quietly.
"No one touches the support beams."
The rescue workers nodded.
Every step echoed through the darkness.
Even the doctor remained silent.
No one wanted to risk another collapse.
Charles walked beside Brian, his lantern sweeping across the tunnel walls.
"We're getting close."
Brian frowned "How can you tell?"
Charles pointed ahead "The footprints. They're fresh."
Hope stirred inside every man.
Brian quickened his pace.
Then suddenly—
"There!"
One of the soldiers pointed into the darkness.
A figure lay motionless against the stone.
Brian's heart lurched.
He ran forward.
As the lantern light fell across the unconscious man's face, he immediately recognised him.
"Turner!"
Dropping to one knee, Brian reached for his shoulder.
There was no response.
Charles knelt beside him.
"Help me turn him over."
Carefully, the two men rolled Turner onto his back.
His face was pale beneath the dirt.
His lips were dry and cracked.
Brian quickly uncorked his water flask.
"Easy..."
He gently lifted Turner's head.
"Only a little."
A few drops of water touched Turner's lips.
Nothing.
Brian tried again.
"Captain Turner."
His voice was firm.
"We're here. You've done enough. Wake up."
For several agonising seconds...
Nothing happened.
Then Turner's brow twitched.
A weak cough escaped him.
The men around them released a collective breath.
"He's alive."
The physician immediately stepped forward.
"Move aside."
He quickly examined Turner's injuries before looking at Brian.
"We need to get him out. Now. I can't properly treat him down here."
Brian nodded immediately.
"You heard the doctor... Lift him carefully."
Two soldiers fashioned an improvised stretcher.
Every movement was slow and deliberate.
No one wanted to worsen his injuries.
As they began the long journey back through the forgotten shaft, Charles walked beside the stretcher.
He glanced down at Turner and smiled faintly.
"You stubborn fool. You actually came back."
By the time they emerged from the abandoned shaft...
The sun was beginning to set.
Golden light stretched across the mountains.
Waiting outside were Duke Owen, Alistair, and a few exhausted rescuers.
The moment Owen saw the stretcher...
He hurried forward.
His eyes immediately found Turner.
Relief flooded his face.
"Thank God..."
He hadn't realised how tightly he had been holding onto hope until that moment.
The physician knelt once more and carefully examined Turner.
Everyone stood in complete silence.
No one dared speak.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
Several long moments passed.
Finally...
The physician looked up.
"He's stable."
The words spread through the crowd like a wave.
Men who had spent days digging through solid rock closed their eyes in relief.
Several soldiers quietly wiped away tears.
Charles smiled openly.
Alistair let out a long breath.
Brian lowered his head, grateful they hadn't been too late.
Owen squeezed the physician's shoulder.
"Can we move him?"
"Yes, Your Grace."
The physician nodded.
"But he needs proper treatment immediately..... We've done all we can here. He has lost a great deal of blood... We need medicines, clean equipment, and a proper bed."
Owen immediately turned toward the gathered men.
"You heard the doctor!"
His voice carried across the mountain.
"We're heading to the medical centre."
A cheer erupted from the rescuers.
Not because the work was over...
But because someone they thought they had lost was coming home.
Owen looked toward the mountain one final time.
"We'll return tomorrow."
"The mine isn't going anywhere."
He looked back at the exhausted soldiers.
"But tonight..."
His voice softened.
"Tonight you deserve to see your families."
The men smiled through their exhaustion.
Some laughed.
Others simply bowed their heads in gratitude.
As the wagons began the slow journey down the mountain, Owen walked over to Brian and Charles.
He placed a hand on each of their shoulders.
"You have my deepest thanks."
Brian smiled tiredly.
"There is no need, Uncle Owen."
Charles nodded.
"We only did what family does."
For a moment, Owen couldn't speak.
His eyes glistened with emotion.
Then he smiled.
"Even so.....thank you."
As the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the mountains, the rescue party finally began the journey home.
Behind them...
The mountain stood silent once more.
But this time...
It had not claimed Captain Turner.
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