PREDATOR ISLAND (Sea Lab Book 2)

CHAPTER 45

Still in the pool behind the waterfall, Jake, Sarah, Tony, and Rachel continued to wait the night out, hiding from the big cat. Truthfully, Jake wondered how much longer they could hold up in the chilly water. In the darkness, as this and many more thoughts raced through his mind, he turned and saw a dull glow coming from deeper in the cave. He thought it might have been his eyes playing tricks on his mind. But then the cone of light flashed brighter, striking a wall. Then it dimmed and disappeared.

He blinked. Wiped his eyes.

It was there. He saw it, then it was gone.

"Someone's back there," he said to Sarah, pointing at the cave entrance.

"You're seeing things. No one came in here before us, or after us."

"Are you sure about that? I'm telling you, I saw a flashlight. I think someone entered the cave before us."

The more he shivered from wading in the cold water, the more he reconsidered the idea of staying in the pool. They'd been hiding out behind the waterfall for at least twenty minutes, maybe longer. He didn't consider the possibility that someone might have passed through the falls and entered the cave before them. There were only three people to pick from. Last he saw, Dr. Graham was getting chased by the cat. That left Dylan and Savannah. Then he remembered the last clue.

"I think the journalists are trying to beat us to the gold," Jake said.

Tony spun in the water. "What? You serious?"

"As ever. I say we catch up to them. I think the cat is too busy with the doctor."

"The water is cold," Sarah replied. "Maybe it is time to make our next move?"

"I think if the cat was coming for us," Jake said, "it would have already been here."

"But what if it does come?" Rachel said. "We'd be trapped."

"I think it has no idea where we are," Tony replied. "I'm with Jake."

"You would be."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Rachel replied. After a brief pause, she added, "Okay, let's go."

"You good with this, Sarah?" Jake asked.

"I think it's a unanimous decision."

With everyone in agreement, they left the pool and entered the cave. Water dripped from Jake's hair, his clothes, and every inch of his body. He knew everyone else was in the same predicament...shivering and cold, and wanting to dry out fast. In the dark, he removed his backpack from his shoulder and started rifling through it. He found the flashlight Dylan had provided. Sarah and Tony had left their bags at the campsite when they fled from the predator earlier this morning, but Rachel still had her pack. Two flashlights were better than one. This was their first opportunity to use them. With the torches illuminating the way, all of them expressed their happiness at being able to see. The only other thing they could wish for would be the warmth of a campfire, but that would have to wait.

Up ahead, voices bounced off the tunnel walls and echoed back to Jake's ear. Someone had entered the cave before them, the only question was who? As they picked up the pace, the identities of the voices became clear.

Tony wagged his head. "Jake, you were right. Dylan and Savannah are trying to find the treasure without us."

"Did you think they'd wait around for us?" Sarah said with a smirk. "Those two have been seeing gold coins since Jake found one on the ocean floor."

"No doubt. But guess what?" Jake gave her a squeeze. "We're about to crash their party."

"Sweet," Tony said. "You up for this?" he asked Rachel.