Maria’s breath shortened. “Could it rupture?” “If pressure keeps rising? Yes.” A sharp groan rumbled beneath them—metal under strain. The elephants trumpeted again, backing away from the corner and forming a tight circle around the calves.
Navarro didn’t waste a second. She shouted to her team: “Expose the pipe—carefully. No mechanical tools. Hand-dig only.” Workers leapt into action, soil flying as they dug with shovels and hand trowels. Every few seconds, Maria felt a faint tremor—just enough to raise goosebumps.