31 Days of Halloween

Day Nineteen: Cave Expedition, Part Two

This tunnel, apparently, narrowed even further. I tried the original plan crawling on my stomach, but my hips caught, and I couldn't wiggle through any farther. And not only that, but my flashlight I packed was running out of juice and soon would go dead. I'd be wandering cave tunnels alone in the dark.

I sat down with my back against the opening, staring back the way I had come. I could try another tunnel, but what if the others were dead ends too? I'd be going in circles, probably getting myself into more trouble. What did they always say when you were lost somewhere? Stay put? But how could I stay put here? And who would ever find me?

A fierce sense of doom gripped me, and I thrust my bag into the tunnel again, propelling myself forward and scrabbling at the rock until my hips popped through. I screamed in pain but kept dragging myself forward until I was out the other side. My nails were cracked and oozing blood but still, I had that sense to run. It was obviously the fear driving but I quickly locked in my pack and sprinted down the tunnel. My feet caught on some sharp rocks and I fell more than a few times but still that voice told me to run as fast as I could.

I kept running until a jutting outcrop sent me flying, my hip slamming into the cave wall and sending another wave of pain along my body. I stayed on the ground and sobbed, letting the sobs wrack my body and my screams echo throughout the tunnel. There's no way I can keep going like this; I need a minute to get myself together and plan.

I slip out of my pack and take the water bottle and a granola bar out. While I snack, I take note of my surroundings. This tunnel still goes on a way, but the floor gets rockier and rockier for as far as I can see with the flashlight. I flick it off to preserve the battery but instantly get chills down my spine as total blackness washes over me. It was almost easy to forget I was in a tunnel and not a small box and let the panic take over again. The bite of granola stalls in my throat and I gag, throwing up what I had eaten by my feet.

I gulp down some water, needing something in my stomach. I lean back against the cool wall, closing my eyes to think for a moment. I could keep going down this tunnel until I was either out or it became a dead end. I could expend all my energy on a twenty-five percent chance this tunnel was the right one. Or, I could turn around and choose another tunnel, one that was easier to traverse. It would still be a small chance, but it would be easier going. It all seemed impossible, but ultimately, I chose to keep going. I could do it.

I shoulder my pack once again and head through the tunnel. It was slow going as my flashlight was still off, but the tunnel was just wide enough that both my arms could be stretched out and my fingertips could slide along, making sure there were no sudden turns or branches to lead me astray. There was no telling what would be waiting for me at the end. Water dripped from the roof of the cave onto my head, cooling me down even further. I shivered uncontrollably as I walked, wishing that I had brought a sturdier jacket.

You know that feeling when you're in a dark room and your brain makes you think someone is right over your shoulder? I began to get that feeling as I got farther down the tunnel, like something was about to reach out and touch me. I tried to shake off the feeling, but it wouldn't leave, only grew. My fingers loosened a pebble in the wall and tinkled down by my feet, making me jump clear out of my skin. I stopped with a hand on my chest, willing my heart rate to slow and my mind to shut up. I debated with myself but decided to turn on the flashlight again, just to remind myself that I really was alone and that it was just a trick. I grab the handle and set my thumb over the switch.

But I couldn't turn it on. The switch had jammed or broken in the pack and now whatever light I had left was gone. A screen of anger blanketed my mind and I threw the flashlight ahead of me, waiting for the inevitable shatter sounds to make me feel better and then make me feel horrible that I chucked it. But the sounds didn't come; it didn't even hit anything. There's no way it could've sailed far enough that I didn't hear it. The only way it wouldn't make sound was if something caught it. But that was ridiculous; I was alone in this cave.

Gooseflesh broke over my body, painful over my elbows and scalp. I stared into the blackness and held my breath, terrified of making any sound. I knew I had to take another step in order to get out of here, I couldn't stall now over a made up fear, but no matter how hard I tried my legs wouldn't cooperate. They shook beneath me, my bladder threatening to let go of what little water I had managed to get in my body. I tried to reason with myself; Graham must have come down another entrance when he realized I'd lost him, and his presence is what I felt. But if it was indeed Graham, why wouldn't he call out? Why wouldn't he have a light to show me it was him? Graham wouldn't sneak up on me like this.

I raised my foot, intending to step forward, and then another rock slithered past my hand and cut into my knuckles. I screamed and fell back, knocking my head against a rock outcrop. Feeling quite miserable, I rubbed at where I hit, feeling sticky blood matting my hair. But it wasn't deep, it would only bleed like it was. I laughed at myself and my stupidity; letting my mind go haywire like that and scaring myself silly. This was an empty cave tunnel that was only populated with an irrationally stupid girl who thought it would be a great idea to go on a solo tour. A girl who may very well die in said tunnel.

I shook the thought from my mind, needing a clear head to keep going. More pebbles came loose as I used to the wall to stand, wobbling a little on the way up. Hopefully I didn't concuss myself but honestly, it wouldn't surprise me at this point. I suppose there were worse things that could happen. I let my fingertips find the wall again and continued walking but I only made it a few steps before a blinding light hit my eyes. A blinding yellow light.

The flashlight turned on.