as a result, the mine collapsed around the men, killing everyone except for rose. exposure to hidden pockets of an "unknown mutagenic gas" gave him extended reserves of strength and durability, along with making him impervious to harm. when rose returned to the surface, after two days of constant digging, he discovered that the resulting sinkhole had swallowed the whole tarleton, killing everyone he held dear, included his beloved wife and his "little princess".