Story 11 – Part 3 – Near Death Experience

“How are we not crushed?” Regg asked once he regained his senses.

“We’re not?” Carmine groaned.

“Well, we’re still alive,” Regg said. “How long do you think we were out of it?”

“Not a clue. I can’t really see my watch,” Carmine said. “How about you?”

Agent Michaels carefully flexed his fingers and toes, making sure he could still feel everything. He was sore, but it seemed like everything was attached. With no light, it was difficult to see for sure what his situation was. His watch had a light on it, though, and that would help, if he could move his arm up toward his head. His right arm was twisted uncomfortably, and wedged between what felt like a pipe and a chunk of concrete. His left was underneath his chest, but he could not lift his torso up enough to easily pull his hand free.

“I don’t think I’ll try at the moment,” Michaels finally said.

“So,” Carmine said after a few moments of silence, “do you think we’re the only ones down here?”

“Probably,” Regg answered. “Why do you ask?”

“I’m trying to decide if a rat is chewing on my leg.”

“You’re joking,” Regg groaned.

“Probably,” Carmine said. “So, are we supposed to discuss the weather, or what?”

“We just miraculously survived a ten-story building landing on us,” Regg pointed out. “Why would we discuss the weather when our survival is a much better conversation topic?”

“You’re worried,” Carmine observed.

“Our odds of surviving long enough for rescue to dig us out aren’t good. And if anything shifts, one of us could lose a limb or worse.”

“That good,” Carmine muttered.

“I can’t decide if you’re being optimistic or sarcastic,” Regg bantered.

“A little of both, I think. I mean, I could be asking if we were actually already dead.”

“Well, my life isn’t flashing before my eyes,” Agent Michaels observed. “Isn’t that supposed to happen?”

“Hasn’t too me.”

“Me neither.”

There were a few more moments of silence in the darkness before Regg finally broke it. “We need a new topic of conversation.”

“I’m with you on that,” Carmine agreed. “Near death experiences aren’t exactly something you discuss while experiencing one.”

“So what new topic should we discuss?”

“Well, I’m not up for a conversation as to who is in the most uncomfortable position.”

“Or rats chewing on legs,” Regg added. “How about you tell me why you didn’t run away from the raining debris?”

“Habit I guess. You?”

“I could say habit,” Regg said. “It’s partially true. That, and I did not want to be the one to tell Dev’s wife that he was squished by a building because I was too slow. Sometimes I wonder why a married man does such dangerous work.”

“So no one else has to be in the same position,” Carmine answered. “Do you have someone you worry about not coming home to?”

“Well, not yet,” Regg had to admit. “I did meet a nice girl at a karaoke bar a few days ago that I wouldn’t mind meeting again.”

“You like karaoke?”

“I thought you already figured that out.”

“Despite popular belief,” Carmine chuckled, “I don’t read minds. So, who’s this girl?”