"When you're trapped underground with an injured friend and no way out, the universe likes to add monsters. Just to keep things interesting."
***
Petra wiped blood from her forehead with the back of her hand. She stared at the dark smear across her palm for a moment before answering. "Maybe. Depends on the stone. Depends on how much I have left." She paused. Her brow furrowed. "Why?"
"If we can weaken the slab, create fracture lines, we might be able to break it into smaller pieces." Rhys ran his fingers along the stone's surface. Felt for natural weaknesses.
His father had taught him about rock. How it broke along certain lines. How different types responded to different forces. The slab was old limestone. Layered. Potentially brittle if heated and cooled rapidly.
"Heat it up, then cool it fast. Thermal shock."
Petra closed her eyes, her shoulders sagging slightly as she reached inward.
