Page 112 of Affair
Clearly.
“Okay,” he said, wrapping the flannel around his wrist, and moving to the opening.
Gamble got on the ground, and held the flap of bark back that hid the hole.
“Come on, Poe,” he said, holding out his hand. “You got this.”
Did he?
He wasn’t sure, but the alternatives to going down there were far worse. He didn’t want to see Gamble killed or be tortured.
Finding courage, he moved to straddle the hole.
“Please don’t leave me down there,” he begged. “Please,” he said.
Gamble stared into his eyes.
“Never. We’re in this adventure together. I’m good in the dark. I promise I have you. I’ll hold your hand the second I get down there.”
That was what he wanted.
“Do it,” Poe said, finding that strength.
Gamble began lowering him down. He was so tired, and his muscles sang at the punishment he’d already inflicted, and was inflicting.
He was going to need a nap at some point.
And food.
He kept lowering the man, and finally, that’s when he spoke.
“My feet are down,” he said. “I don’t know what they are down on, but I can feel terra firma,” he admitted.
Good.
The quads were close.
Too.
Damn.
Close.
“Move one foot over,” he whispered. “I’m dropping in right beside you,” he warned.
What wouldn’t he give for his phone, a flashlight, and a gun?
Poe did as he asked, being able to see him while the bark was pulled back ever so slightly. As soon as it closed, he was in the dark.
Gamble moved to sit in the opening, and he let the fold of bark fall back. As he hung there, it went pitch black all around them.
“Reach up. Poe, and feel for my legs so I don’t land on you.”
Poe did as he said, and he tried to stay calm the whole time.
Oh, and it wasNOTeasy.
“You’re to my left,” he admitted. “You won’t land on me when you drop,” he offered.
