The earth rocked and then came a jolt that made all the preceding seem
as nothing. It came again and again. And then the pressure.
She couldn't breathe. She knew this couldn't go on. It was more than
a mortal could endure. Vaguely she wondered how anyone on the surface
could possibly be alive. It was unimaginably horrible down here; it
could be nothing less than an inferno of death above.
Merciful darkness came down.
* * * * *
The sheets on the bed were white and crisp and cool. Several moments
passed before she understood. She had never been here before. Through
the huge windows came bright sunlight. Far out beyond, the ground was
covered with snow.
Sue sat up abruptly. A nurse came, lifted back the sheet, checked the
identification number tattooed on her hip. "Susan Wildress? Factory
Eight Hundred Ninety-six?"