Rapid City Below Zero #1

Page 1



Just you and me, baby.

We could leave right now, you knoW? Forget stealing that crown. ...the whole world.

We need the money. And Coil's plan won't work without us. They'll be screwed. What about our plan? This is our plan.

Piledriver, you got that? You sure?

Got it, Coil.

Then get everyone clear. I'll finish these guys and see you there.


How far down are we?

About TWENTY yards.

Hey. it's not in here! He switched bags!

What? Show me. See? No crown.

There's only... Oh no.

Piledriver, baby...

I love you. I love--



Look. It stays up.

The Bradley boys were building something.

Come on in, boys. time for lunch.

The tunnels are almost touching.

No, you're not doing it right.

YEAH. I can see your hand!

If I went and looked at it, how would they even know.


I just wanted to see what it was.

They were all working together on a fort.

I wanted to see what it was like.


I tried to make it through, but I couldn't.

And then I couldn't TURN back.

I couldn't move my arms.

it was hard to breathe.

I knew it was cold, but it didn't really feel cold.

it felt like I was dead.


No. No.

No.

Piledriver, no.

Oh god, no.

STOP iT.

STOP CRYiNG. Claw Hammer.


He's dead! They're all dead!

He... he switched the bags. He took the crown and gave us the bomb. This was his plan from the start... to kill us all.

Then he killed us, too.

Icicle, I know. And if we don't--

it was Coil! He did this. He killed them all!

it was Coil.

it's true. You're right. But if we don't start digging out right now...

and I mean now....


Who is it?

Mom!

No, her eyes are open.

Is she dead?

I think you'll be fine, sweetie.

Sorry.

But you shouldn't be playing out there all by yourself.

it's ok, dear. We're just worried about you. You could have been hurt. You almost turned in to a popsicle. Don't you have a warmer jacket?

no.


No one will ever know what happened to us. No one will care.

Getting out of here is the only way to make Coil pay.

How?

I can carve And you use a tunnel. your ice to keep it from falling in on us.

We dig.

I got it.


My mom never knew what happened.

She never cared what I did.

So neither did I.

I didn't know what they were doing. All I knew was that someone was paying attention to me.

We just need to run some tests, ok?

it's all very routine.


No. There's nothing back there. Keep moving.


They put me all by myself and I didn't know why. When no one knows your alive...

When they finally took me out, I was in a different place.

you start to feel like you're dead.

I was 17, I hadn't been convicted of any crime, and I was doing dead-time in an adult prison...

but nothing had changed.


Hey. Anyone sittin' here?

No.

Good. You mind?

No.

You'll get used to the food. Just drink lots of water.

No. They saw where you came in from, and who brought you.

Uh... ok.

You know why you're getting the solo treatment?

Because everyone hates me?

They're afraid of you.


Why? I didn't do anything. I don't even belong here.

Remember that test you took at intake? They scanned you with some kinda machine?

According to the D.O.C. you do.

Yes.

Well, that's why you're here. The girl's units can't handle power cases. So you graduate early.

What's a "power case"?

You are. I am. Everyone on our floor is. This is the only women's facility in the state that can handle powers.

But I'm not... I don't have powers.

And yet here you are. Look, I don’t mean to freak you out. I just wanted to let you know this school-yard BS doesn't last. Well, thanks.

No doubt. What's your name? Stephanie.

Good to meet you. I'm Katy.


HHH-rr

Don't think I'm...

I can’t...

No. Come on. icicle.

Can't... Can't -uhnbe far now. It was like I mattered...


...like someone cared about me.

Better watch yer tots.

No way! You had yours.

Ha!

And Katy was right...

I was special. Stephanie? Is that you?


Mrs. Bradley! Hey, yeah, how you been?

They didn't tell you? Oh, sweety, that is just awful.

My mom moved, didn't she?

It's no problem. Really, Mrs. Bradley.

Oh, I'm just fine, dear. How are you?

I got some friends I can stay with.

You know... I'm doing good.

Nah. It's ok.

You're back visiting the old neighborhood?

No it is not. What will you do?


It's cement. I think I can...


Hi. Katy told me to come by. I'm Stephanie.

That's your guv'ment name, right? You got a different one?

No. Not yet.

I finally felt like I belonged...

Like I was wanted...

I felt alive

Like I was somebody.

After this job with Coil, we'll have enough to get away.

icicle! Go!

We could go to my dad's cottage in Blue Ridge.

That's just for starters, baby. I'm gonna show you the whole world.


Breathe.

BREATHE!

Guuh.

Uuh...uuh... I'm... Uuuh.

I'm going to.....


I'm going to kill Coil.

Just think, this time tomorrow we'll be half way to Blue Ridge.

Just you and me, baby.

I'm going to find him-And I'm going to kill him.

continued...





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