[He can't answer right away; he's coughing. The more he dug at the door, the more earth cascaded into the room-- after a while all he could do was dive into it, clawing forward and praying for the best. Thick and cloying, dirt had found its way into his mouth, his eyes; he'd nearly choked on it, but the knowledge of what that would mean for Todd-- for both of them, but mainly for Todd-- had spurred him on to hold his breath until his lungs burned.
The end had come suddenly, one outstretched hand encountering nothing and scrambling for purchase on the ground. He hasn't pulled himself upright yet; loose dirt still covers his legs, it's matted in his hair. But he's all right. His heart is pounding the rhythm of someone else's life.]
☞ death is an elephant, torch-eyed and horrible
The end had come suddenly, one outstretched hand encountering nothing and scrambling for purchase on the ground. He hasn't pulled himself upright yet; loose dirt still covers his legs, it's matted in his hair. But he's all right. His heart is pounding the rhythm of someone else's life.]
H-here...