Writetober Day 9 (Pressure)

Day 9

Pressure

“Lock it in!  Keep it sealed!”  Sheri clasped the massive iron door with her leather bound hands.  

“Aye!  How are the valves looking?”  Tobias shouted high above the screeching metal.

“Pressure’s good!  Could be better!”  Sheri double checked the meters that were displayed behind her.

The numbers were slowly rising as the digital display changed images every few seconds.  Sheri grunted in approval as her grip tightened on the shaking door she held closed.  

“Got some trouble!  One of the valves isn’t movin!”  Tobias hollered as concern crept in his voice.

“What do you mean not moving!?  I’ve got a lot of vibrations over here!”  Her face flashed an annoyed scowl.

“I mean it’s not moving!  The liquid ain’t filling one of the tanks!”

“Shit.”  Sheri’s voice was well below the clattering metal.  “Okay!  Go take a loo-”

The world erupted in a flash of hot steam and piercing ringing as Sheri threw herself to the floor.

“Sheri!  Sheri!”  Tobias’s voice was a distant echo in her ears.

“Shit, the damn valves…”  She struggled to rise as feeling returned to her body.  Pain lanced up her body as she willed her legs to move.

“Sheri!  Say something!”  Tobias’s words were louder than before. 

“Yea…Yeah!  I’m good, I think.”  She flexed her fingers as she dragged herself to the platform edge.  She looked down at her teammate.  “Found out where the liquid was going.”

“The door?”  Tobias’s hands were rapidly moving as he controlled the remaining valves.

“The damn door.”  Sheri sighed.  “We lost track of the pressure.”

“You’re telling me!”  Tobias stared at the meters and digital displays before him as the numbers slowly dropped.  “Boss is gonna be pissed.”

“Yea, I should have let the door take me out.”  She forced a grin across her face as she winced in pain.