was starting to know this place, to recognize certain points of the dark trails, she was still in awe of the cave. Its size, both big and small. The way the damp rocks glistened in the light. The occasional crystal mixed in with the more common sandy browns and grays. Even the most ordinary pieces were part of this huge mystery.
“Let Ria lead. She’s the best climber,” Cotton said when they finally reached the spot that would lead them to the new section.
She kept her shoes on in case she wanted them when they traveled beyond the drop-off.
“I can do it,” said Leo.
“This was her find. Let her take you up there.”
“Go ahead, Leo. But watch the drop-off. I know you know, but it’s a gnarly one.” She laughed nervously. “There are more handholds along the left side.”
Leo gestured for her to take the lead.
“I’ll wait here,” said Cotton. “Until you two get to the chamber. It’s too crowded for all of us.”
Ria knew Cotton was right, but wished it was him behind her as she crawled along, slowly, feeling for the drop-off. She was so relieved to find the spot she forgot to warn Leo she was stopping. She swung her feet over the rock shelf and sat on the edge. With a tremendous thud, Leo’s helmet slammed into her back, scooting her forward.
“Damn!”
“What happened? Are you safe?” Cotton sounded worried, calling from below.
Ria laughed, half from nerves and half from sheer gratefulness to still be sitting on solid rock. If she’d been in crawling position, Leo would have hit a mouthful of ass and she might have slid face-first into the dark.
“You should have told me you stopped,” Leo snapped.
“Do I need to go for help? Tell me you’re safe.” Cotton sounded frantic.
“We’re safe,” Ria yelled. She heard him moving along the trail. Then, quietly, she said to Leo, “Why don’t you want me here?”
“It’s fine.”
“I’d be happy for Flutie to come. It’s not my fault she’s not here.”
“That’s not it.” He sighed. “You’re confusing Cotton. He doesn’t know how to play games.”
“What games? Monopoly? Twister? Twenty Questions?”
“You know what I mean. You have a boyfriend.”
“We’re friends, Leo. Cotton and me. I’m not going to confuse him.” Only herself. And confusion was her standard mode of being.
A flash of light announced Cotton’s arrival seconds before he crashed in, filling the tunnel with his excitement. “Isn’t this incredible? Isn’t this the best?”
“Yeah. It’s awesome.” Leo’s voice had shifted to a surprisingly gentle tone.
“I heard a crash. But you’re safe. Right?”
“Yep. I’m here, not there.” She pointed over the edge.
Cotton grabbed her arm. “Don’t. Lean.”
“Look,” said Ria. They were on a rock balcony. Even with the dark corners and tucked-away shadows, it was clear the space below was as big as the Aquaplex. There was plenty of room for an Olympic-size pool here. Except it looked more like a field. Rolling hills of rock spread out and around. The way her light hit the swirls of white crystals nestled in the darker rock made her think of sprinkles of snow. Breathing in the damp cool air, listening to the silence of Cotton and Leo being equally impressed hit the back of her throat. This dark and hidden place was so damn beautiful.
“Let’s get the ropes set up.”
As he attached an anchor ring to the wall, Cotton sounded like he was apologizing. “We hate to mess with the cave, but it’s too risky to climb down without being secured.”
Once the rope was through the ring and firmly knotted—they each tested it—they fixed a metal bracket to help control the rope’s release as they descended. It was a matter of moving the rope out, then in, then out. Simple, yet the kind of thing that could be tricky in unexpected ways.
Cotton went first. His long legs and reach would be an advantage when dropping. He attached the rope to a harness. It wrapped around his middle, then down and around each of his thighs. If there had been fabric instead of straps, Ria would have called it a diaper.
After getting himself adjusted and attached, he went, backward, to stand at the edge of the dark chasm. Ria joined him at the edge.
“Get back! You aren’t latched in.”
“Don’t you want light?” She lay on her stomach and pointed her face—with the lamp of her helmet obediently shining where she directed it, a few feet to the side. That way he could see the shape of the rock wall but not have the bright