~5~ As fast as we can, we bang and pound our way down the ventilation shaft. The noises made by my hands and knees are so loud that they drown out any sounds from outside I would otherwise be able to hear. We dent the flimsy metal as we crawl. Eventually, I slow down, listening for any noises around us. Surprisingly, I don’t hear anything from below, and I wonder if I should be relieved or more nervous. Alicia’s head arri...