"But we can't wait for help from the outside," Rick pointed out. "We can at least work while we still have our health."
"Can you work in the darkness?"
"I suppose we'll have to. The lights won't last long."
"Then let's get to it."
They retreated to an alcove and put their shirts in a safe place, then went to work in their T shirts. Lugging rocks would work up a sweat, and it was chilly underground. The shirts were for use during rest periods.
"Let's see how it goes," Scotty invited, and turned off his light.
Rick groped for a rock and found a good-sized one. He carried it back and promptly bumped into a wall and dropped it. Keeping a straight line was going to be a problem. He groped for the rock and found it again, but this time he tucked it under one arm, using the opposite hand to guide him along the wall.
"I'm on the right-hand wall," he told Scotty. "I'll return along the left-hand wall."
"Good system," Scotty approved.
It was, too. They passed each other in the dark and Rick was pleased, until he tripped on a rock and stumbled into the pile.