The return through the upper tunnels took longer than the descent.
Forty-three rescued civilians moved at different speeds, and no amount of planning could change the condition of people who had spent days trapped underground. Some walked with assistance. Others required stretchers. Several children had to be carried once the first burst of relief faded and exhaustion took its place. The Atlas team adjusted around them, slowing where necessary, rotating stretcher bearers, and maintaining security along every side passage.
Marcus remained near the rear of the column with Tomas and Rolf.
The broken bridge had delayed the Collectors, but nobody believed it would stop them for long. The creatures knew the tunnels better than Atlas did, and the holes found along the earlier route suggested they had smaller paths running parallel to the main passages. Every few minutes, faint clicking traveled through the walls. Sometimes it came from behind. Sometimes from somewhere ahead.
