Read Online High Pressure System: First Season Underground by K.D. Kinney - Free Book Online

since we’ve been here. We still have an open shaft though and the platforms are there to shut the storms out. That could be the damage we are hearing. Hopefully, the storm didn’t find access to the shaft,” the younger one said.
    The tension and distress in the room started to build.
    “With the power back on, the platforms can close as long as there isn’t debris in the way,” the older construction worker reassured everyone.
    “But what about the others in their apartments on the upper floors?” Mr. Anderson asked.
    “We just have to wait this out before we can find out,” the security guard answered.
    It felt like the longest lock-down ever. Probably wasn’t. We were just all far more fearful during this one than the ones in the past. That’s what I told myself. Soon it all quieted down. I realized when things calmed down and we were given the all clear to leave the safe room that I didn’t recognize the construction workers at all. I seldom encountered the guys in the bright yellow shirts. One of them was young enough and there was no ring. I wondered if it was dangerous for them to wear rings, but the other guy wore one. Oohh … Options. Mr. Option asked to pet Dobbers once I stepped out the door to Hydroponics.
    “I didn’t know there were dogs here. I gave mine up when I started this job. I have regretted it ever since.” He rubbed Dobbers head and gazed into his eyes jabbering puppy talk to him.
    He made me laugh and I wanted to say that I didn’t know I had more potential boyfriend options, but I didn’t. Maybe Brandon’s computer was wrong. I wasn’t sent here just for him. “I’ve never seen you before.”
    “We’ve been working like a bunch of mole rats for weeks since you all came. The pay was good when this whole thing started. Now it looks as if all that doesn’t matter anymore, does it?” He shrugged and sighed. He kept petting my dog and I took the opportunity to check him out. Caramel colored hair curled out around his baseball cap. His face and arms were dark from the sun even though that would probably change in the coming months. He looked up at me and his eyes nearly sucked me into his soul. Green, green like a forest, fringed with thick dark lashes. Anything that reminded me of the outdoors was going to be my undoing. Or maybe it was the stifling climate in Hydroponics that was making me swoon. I smiled as best I could even though I understood exactly what he was getting at. I felt we were all doomed.
    “I keep to myself when I do get time off. I’ve been working on a time consuming project of my own. Maybe I should come out of hiding more often.” He gave me a sweet smile.
    “Kind of hard to figure out how life is going to be from now on. I’ve kind of been in hiding myself,” I said. I did my best to stick out my hand. “Rachel Gardener.”
    He took my hand but couldn’t shake it much since my arms were full of Dobbers.
    “Micah Stoddard.”
    Rocky climbed up on my shoulder and chastised Micah for getting too close.
    “Woah!” He backed up a step and then laughed. “You have a squirrel too?”
    “I acquired him since we’ve been here before we were in permanent lock-down.”
    “Oh, I know how I know your name now.”
    I looked away as my cheeks flamed. I didn’t know what to say and we were the last two left in Hydroponics. I nodded at the security guy that held the door to thank him and went to join the crowd that waited for instructions of what to do next.
    “Wait.” Micah kept pace with me. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
    I shrugged and couldn’t look at him again. He did get my mind off what impending disaster might have happened up above for a few minutes. Thankfully, this time it wasn’t my fault.
    He hovered near my shoulder as Brandon gave a status report over the intercom. “There’s been some damage to the stairs and elsewhere. Watch where you step and watch your heads in the stairwell when you go back to your apartments. We