"Gao, hang in there!"
The underground squad leader, Dong Yufei, gripped his companion Gao Zhixing's hand. At the same time, he braced a collapsed boulder with his shoulder, trying to lessen the pressure on Gao Zhixing, who was pinned underneath, and pull him free.
Gao Zhixing shook his head and couldn't help but groan in pain. "Don't waste your energy. I can't get out. This rock has me completely stuck."
Dong Yufei strained again, but the rock pinning Gao Zhixing didn't budge an inch. He slumped down beside his friend, catching his breath before saying, "We'll just have to wait for rescue."
Feeling the stabbing pain in his back and the near-total numbness in his lower body, Gao Zhixing's heart sank. He couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead as he looked at Dong Yufei. "Is anyone coming to rescue us?"
"Of course they are!" Dong Yufei said with conviction.
"But will they get here in time?" Gao Zhixing asked again.
Dong Yufei fell silent.
