Falton ran desperately, the tremors in the mine intensifying with every step, as though he were racing against time itself. Dust filled the tunnels, the air thick and suffocating, every breath tasting of crushed rock and despair.
"Quick! Carlo is still trapped inside, injured! We need to save him!" Falton yelled frantically as he burst out of the mine entrance, his voice trembling with urgency.
The miners immediately sprang into action. Several experienced workers grabbed their tools and dashed in the direction Falton indicated. When they reached the site where Carlo was trapped, they were met with an even worse situation than expected: a massive cave-in had sealed off the passage, leaving the tunnel almost completely blocked.
"Dammit, this is worse than I thought!" one of the miners exclaimed.
Falton's face turned pale, his legs trembling under him. Guilt clawed at his chest like a boulder, suffocating him as he replayed his hesitation over and over. Fear gripped him—was it already too late? Had Carlo paid the ultimate price because of his delay?
The foreman quickly barked orders, his voice calm but firm. "Don't give up! Start digging here, now!"
The miners worked tirelessly, their tools chipping away at the dense rock with relentless determination.
Falton threw himself into the effort, each swing of his pickaxe driven by desperation and regret. If only he had sought help sooner, maybe Carlo wouldn't be in this dire situation.
Time passed agonizingly slowly as they excavated the rubble, every second pushing Carlo closer to danger. The air grew thinner, laden with dust and tension. The tremors in the mine continued intermittently, each rumble amplifying Falton's anxiety. His eyes never left the collapsed section, his ears straining to hear any sound of life beyond the rubble.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the miners broke through a narrow passage in the debris, revealing a small opening to the collapsed area. A rush of cold air, thick with moisture and dust, poured out.
"Get in there and find him!" the lead miner commanded.
Falton crawled into the cramped tunnel, gripping his lantern tightly. His voice was a whisper, full of pleading, "Carlo, please hang on…"
He reached Carlo's side and found him unconscious, his face pale and covered in blood and dust. His breathing was faint, his injuries severe. The sight made Falton's heart sink.
The miners quickly assessed the situation and began a cautious rescue.
"Careful! We need to move these rocks without causing another collapse!" one miner warned.
Using ropes and support tools, they meticulously lifted the heavy stones pinning Carlo down. Falton's hands trembled as he helped, each movement feeling like a race against the clock.
After an arduous effort, they finally freed Carlo and placed him on a makeshift stretcher. His body felt heavy and lifeless as they carried him out of the mine. The dim light from Falton's lantern cast flickering shadows on Carlo's bloodied face.
Carlo's injuries were even worse than Falton had feared. Blood seeped from a deep wound on his left cheek, his breaths shallow and labored. Guilt stabbed at Falton's heart as he whispered to himself, Was I too late?
"Move! Get him out of here!" the lead miner urged.
The group carried Carlo swiftly toward the mine's entrance. Just as they neared the exit, another violent tremor shook the tunnel, sending rocks tumbling from above. Dust swirled thickly in the air, making it nearly impossible to see.
Falton's heart pounded in his chest as he stumbled forward, urging his companions to move faster. The fragile light from his lantern wavered, threatening to extinguish with each step.
Finally, they emerged from the mine into the bright sunlight. The warm light spilled over Carlo's pale face as the miners laid him carefully on the ground. A medic, already on standby, rushed forward.
"Step back!" the medic ordered, kneeling to examine Carlo's pulse and breathing. His expression darkened. "He's lost a lot of blood, and his chest has been crushed by the debris. We need to stabilize him immediately. Get him to the medical tent now!"
The miners carried Carlo to the nearby tent as quickly as they could. Outside, other miners gathered anxiously, their faces etched with worry.
Meanwhile, the foreman approached a group of workers, his tone urgent. "How many are still trapped inside? Organize a rescue team immediately!"
"We're still accounting for everyone," a miner replied grimly, his face heavy with concern.
Falton stood silently, his mind replaying the terrifying moments of the collapse. His gaze lingered on Carlo's motionless form, fear and guilt churning inside him. Please, he prayed silently, please let him survive.