He found a narrow channel between two fallen I-beams — too tight for any adult. He squeezed through on his belly, elbows scraping, the keychain light clenched between his teeth.
Dust choked him. The smell of gasoline and burnt wiring stung his eyes.
“Mia, how close am I?”
“I can hear you better… you’re close…”
His hand touched soft hair.
“I found you.”
Mia grabbed his wrist with surprising strength. “Don’t leave me.”
“I won’t.”
In the tiny beam of light he saw her: blonde pigtails gray with dust, huge brown eyes, a miniature leather vest with “Daddy’s Girl – Iron Vipers” stitched on the back.
A slab of drywall and splintered joist pinned her legs.
Noah braced his back against one beam and pushed with both feet.
