The three friends stood at the cave entrance. They had found it easily this time.
Hattie and Owen had the lanterns they had brought from home. Owen handed one to Sophie.
Hattie took out a box of matches. She was a Forest Scout and had gotten her fire safety badge. So she was the one to carefully light each lantern’s candle.
Sophie looked at her friends. “Ready?” she asked. “Let’s go!” And she led the way into the cave.
The three lanterns made lots of light. Unlike last time, Sophie could clearly see the way ahead. It was a rock-walled tunnel, curving gradually to the left.
She looked up at the cave ceiling. At the entrance, it was almost low enough to touch. But farther in, it got higher and higher.
Suddenly, Sophie detected something moving at her side. She jumped—then laughed. She’d been spooked by their long shadows, cast onto the cave wall by the candlelight.
The friends covered ground quickly. Before long, Sophie was sure they had come farther than she had on her own or with Winston.
The cave was quiet. No shrieking. No mysterious noises. The only sounds were their footsteps echoing off the walls.
And where was the glowing light? Was their lantern light drowning it out?
Or did I just imagine it after all?
Sophie stopped at a fork in the path. Hattie and Owen came up and stood on either side.
