| |
THE CLIMB WAS LONG, slow and difficult. Moisture beaded on the stone and made the climb beside the cascading waterfall treacherous for everyone. Reaching the first ledge of rock where the water cascaded forty feet to the pool below, Rory had them all stop and rest. It was more important for the kids to keep their energy up but there was no doubt Chet and Donna-Lou were finding it difficult. As a private investigator who could meet danger at any moment, Rory had a daily routine of exercises to keep him fit, even on the road. That didn't appear to be the case for the others. He told himself to keep an eye on them.
The next part of the climb went easier but the kids would break into fits of coughing every so often. That was worrisome. Not just because it could be energy draining, but a sudden, involuntary fit of coughing could cause one of them to lose their grip on the rock.
After another short rest, Chet and Donna-Lou stayed as close as they could to the kids, just in case they did lose their hold on the rocks. But the kids still had to do the physical climb on their own. There was no way to hold their hand or do it for them. And that added to the stress, making the climb more psychologically difficult and energy draining for the adults. Donna-Lou and Chet exchanged glances, trying to keep each other encouraged.
Rory couldn't do much to help. He just had to keep climbing above them. It was his job to find and point out the handholds and footholds and to keep looking for the easiest route upward. The problem was, there really wasn't one. The upper levels where the water cascaded past the group on their way to the pool far below were steeper and more treacherous and it took nearly twice as long before they found another suitable area to rest. Everyone was breathing heavy.
Another long slow climb took them up into the shadow areas of the cavern where they took another brief rest. Rory had hoped the higher areas would be dust free but that wasn't the case. The air actually seemed heavier with the dust from the explosion and breathing was difficult at times for all of them. Rory became convinced they had to get out as soon as possible and he had them on the move again, despite some grumbling.
But getting to the next level seemed to take forever. He wasn't sure if it was slower going because they were tired or because of the difficulty in breathing, due to the thick dust in the air. It didn't matter. They were slowing down and that worried him. He looked down several times, watching each individual struggle as they moved upward. Their flashlights danced through the shadows off to the sides. They were close now. Finally reaching the top of the cascading waterfall, Rory saw something hopeful and he crawled upward over the angled wet stone.
Emma reached the upper ledge and scrambled forward on her knees.
Corry got onto the ledge but flopped onto his face, exhausted.
Chet flopped onto the rock as well, just off to the left.
Donna-Lou moved past her son on her hands and knees, her breathing heavy, "C'mon, Corry. Get away from the edge–"
Breaking into a bout of coughing, Emma's body went into a spasm and her foot slipped on the wet rocks. She slipped backward towards the edge of the rock level and let out a scream.
Donna-Lou frantically grabbed for her but missed, screaming, "Emma!"
Emma frantically grabbed for a handhold, but her fingers slipped over the wet rocks and her body plummeted over the edge.