Page 51 of In Too Deep
Noah stepped toward the small opening.He raised his voice to carry over the sound of the waterfall.“Park rangers!This area’s off-limits.You need to come with us, now.”
No response.Only the sound of running water to their left.
Then more light beams angled around just before raised voices that seemed to be arguing with each other.
Finally, five wide-eyed faces emerged from the tunnel, blinking in the bright LED beams.They were young.Probably barely out of their teens.Their clothes were streaked with mud and dust.
One of them—a lanky kid in a baseball cap worn backward—stepped forward, his hands raised.“We didn’t know it was restricted!Some guy at the trailhead said there’s gold in here.We were just looking.”
Noah’s jaw tightened.“Doesn’t matter what he said.This cave’s dangerous and off-limits.How many are there of you?”
“Just us five.”One of the guys spoke up, then turned to the others.“I told you this was a bad idea.”
“Bad idea is right.”Noah motioned to a water bottle on the floor.“Pack up your gear.We’re leaving.Now.”
The kids exchanged glances but moved quickly.They gathered their things under Noah’s firm gaze.
He counted them as they lined up.One, two, three, four, five.All accounted for.
“Stay together,” Noah ordered.“We’re heading out the way we came in.Teague, take the lead.”
The group shuffled forward, single file.Their flashlights cast uneven beams as they followed Teague back through the tunnel.
Noah brought up the rear.His eyes swept over each kid, checking faces.He made sure no one lagged behind or tried to slip away.
The waterfall’s roar faded as they climbed back toward the main cavern.Their boots splashed through the spring’s overflow.The kids muttered among themselves about the guy who’d told them about the gold.
Noah tuned it out.He focused on getting everyone out safely as he counted heads.
The main cavern opened around them again.The spring glinted under their lights.As they crossed the chamber and navigated around the spring’s edge, Noah looked at the far side of the water.He scanned the area once more for the chest Meg thought she saw.
Still nothing.Just rock and shadow.
Noah breathed easier as they emerged into the gray afternoon light.
The storm was picking back up.Light rain started to fall again.
Liam’s radio crackled as he spoke to Eden.
Meg stood from the rock.She seemed to be scanning him for injuries.
He stepped toward her.“We’re all good.”
Relief washed over her face just before she sat back down.Her legs gave out.
He turned to the group, rain beginning to dot his jacket.“All right.You’re out, and not too soon with the way this storm’s picking back up.What path did you come in on?”
The kids pointed toward the trail that had been washed out.
Of course they did.
“That’s no good.”Noah shook his head.“We’ll lead you out on the western trail?—”
“Where’s Alex?”One of the girls suddenly spoke up, voice rising.Her gaze darted around the group.“Alex?”
The other kids started looking around.Their voices rose in concern.
Noah’s heart rate kicked up.He locked eyes with one of the boys.“Do you think he snuck away to keep searching for the gold?”
