Page 41 of Explorer's Revenge
Across the room, hidden in the darkness, is a tunnel. It’s big enough for us to walk through, and from the slide marks in the mud, it’s clear this is the entrance to its feeding ground. It isn’t a good place to get caught, but it’s now or never, so I step inside. My flashlight barely illuminates the twisting corridor before me. Keeping one hand on the damp, rough rock, I lean into it as I shuffle forward. The more I move, the more the pain grows, but my body is loosening up, making it easier even if it hurts more. There isn’t much I can do about the pain, so I just ignore it as best as I can, peeking around a corner before shuffling around.
“What happened?” Aiy asks barely above a whisper. Neither of us want to draw that thing’s attention.
“I don’t really remember. One second, I was standing up there with you, and the next, I woke up back there,” I answer, having to grit my teeth through the pain. Each step is heavy and sends sparks shooting up my leg. It’s a good thing I can feel it though, right?
“It’s probably better that you can’t remember,” Aiyaret murmurs. “Your leg isn’t broken?”
I shake my head, feeling woozy, so I stop for a moment and lean into the wall on my left. We can’t afford to waste time, but the hot flash indicates I’m on the verge of passing out.
“Maeve,” he says, “answer me.”
I know he’s keeping me talking to distract me from the pain, and in this moment, I love him for that.
Forcing a smile, I push off and carry on. “Not broken. Some muscle is torn, and the skin is punctured for sure. I don’t know how deep. It didn’t hit an artery or I would be dead, but it hurts like a son of a bitch.”
“I bet.” He laughs softly, keeping pace behind me. “Most people would have given up. Not you.”
“I sewed it shut with my lace,” I admit. “Thank God for Girl Scouts and their training.”
He chuckles, and we continue walking, following the slide marks. It must be where it came from, which has to be where the others are. I can’t hear them now, but that doesn’t mean anything.
“How did it get you?” I ask. He mentioned something before, but it’s a blur, the pain making my mind foggy. Besides, I need his voice, since it gives me something to focus on.
He’s quiet, and I glance back before focusing on walking. “I came down after you.”
I turn, flashing my light over his face, making him wince. “Alone?” I hiss.
“You were in trouble. We couldn’t wait. They were planning, but it was taking too long, so I made the first move. I knew they would follow.” He smiles. “Especially Way. He’ll follow wherever I go.”
“And here I thought you were oblivious, poor guy,” I scoff.
“What do you mean?” He frowns. “He’s my best friend. Of course he would.”
“Sure, friends.” I chuckle as I turn forward. “The others followed?”
“I think so, but before I could shout a warning, it was on me, and then I woke up next to you. Guess I found you, huh?” he quips.
I can’t believe Aiyaret risked it all and came down here for me. I thought he didn’t like me, but he jeopardized his life to find me, and that warms my heart toward the big guy.
“What did you mean when you said, ‘sure, friends?’” he asks.
My breathing is labored, and I hate it. I focus on trying to control it as much as I can, not wanting that thing’s attention. Who knows how well it can hear out of water.
“Aiyaret, it’s very clear that Way is in love with you. Even the damn birds up there could see it. You act like a married couple. Haven’t you ever thought about it?” I respond, focusing on our talk to keep going.
He’s quiet, and I worry I overstepped until his hushed voice comes. “We’re friends, always have been. I didn’t think anyone would ever want me like that, especially someone who knows my past.”
“But you’ve thought about it?” I deduce.
He’s quiet, and I take that for a yes.
“Then what’s stopping you? As you can see, life is too short,” I scoff.
“I don’t want to lose him,” he whispers.
I can understand that, so I simply nod and shuffle another step forward. He could leave me and go faster, warn Way and the others, but he never once complains, sticking with me.
A sharp noise has us whirling around, my light splashing across his shoulders until he turns his head to see me. “You hear that?” I nod, and he looks around before grabbing me and shoving us both in a tiny alcove between the rocks. It’s barely big enough to fit us, so we are pushed together, scarcely able to breathe. Reaching down, he shuts my light off and covers my mouth.
