Page 41 of Reset

“Whoa.” Sarah angled the flashlight upward. “I was not expecting that.”

The light dropped off, making it impossible to see how high the area went. “Might be an old mine shaft.” Ryan glanced around, hoping there was a ladder or something they could climb to get out. No such luck.

“Uh, Ryan, we have another problem here.” Sarah shone the light on the opposite side of the tunnel where there was nothing but wall.

They’d hit a dead end.

“Well, that’s disappointing.” And nauseating, because it meant heading back to the rats.

As the light swept around the narrow chamber, it reflected off a section of floor to the right of them. Ryan eyed it curiously, wondering what had caused the reflection.

CHAPTER TWELVE

There was a pool in the corner of the mine shaft.

Crouching down, Ryan gestured to Sarah to bring the light closer so he could get a better look at the water. There was a roughly hewn trench, filled with milky white water and smelling like chalk. It was about four feet wide and who knew how deep because you couldn’t see the bottom. But the most interesting thing about it was that it ran under the wall.

“I know what you’re thinking.” The light shook in Sarah’s hand. “You’re thinking we swim through that to the other side. I vote for checking out the other tunnel first.”

There was no avoiding it. He had to tell her why the other tunnel wasn’t an option. “There was a strong smell of decomp in the tunnel, Stats. I don’t think anything good will come from going that way.”

“More bodies?” Her face had paled again.

“I’d say so.” And by the odor, he’d say these ones weren’t mummified. He pointed at the pool. “This isn’t so bad. I mean, I’m already topless. Might as well see where this goes.”

Her eyes strayed to his chest, and her cheeks flushed. “You could get stuck down there. I don’t want you to drown.”

“I don’t want to drown either, but this could be our way out.”

Standing, he kicked off his shoes as Sarah slipped his jacket back on. She wrapped it tight around herself, as though seeking comfort rather than warmth.

Ryan handed her the bag and shirt. “I won’t go far. I’ll only take a peek.”

She chewed her bottom lip for a second before answering. “The water is too cloudy to see anything.”

“You can make out about a foot in front of you before visibility drops off. Think of it like fog; as I go through it, I’ll see my way. Can you get your phone out of your bag for you to use and hand me mine?”

Clearly hesitant, Sarah handed over his phone. “We don’t know what’s making the water that color. It could damage your eyes.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“If you’re taking this route because you’re worried about the rats following us, you should know that the water won’t stop them. They can swim for days. And hold their breath for three minutes at a time.”

He shuddered. “Thanks for that imagery.”

“Sorry. I just…it’s just…” She glanced about the place, looking a little lost. “You could die.”

And there was the heart of the problem. “Come on, Stats, get that big brain of yours in gear. What are the chances I’d die in there?”

“I can’t think. I need a minute.”

Suddenly, she turned and placed her forehead on the wall beside her. She closed her eyes and seemed to concentrate on taking slow, even breaths while little shivers ran through her body.

Ryan didn’t know what to do to help her. He wished the strange boundaries of their relationship were clearer, so he’d know whether or not she’d welcome his comfort. Because he desperately wanted to comfort her.

Eventually, she placed her palm on the cool rock and pushed back from the wall.

“Sarah?” Ryan tentatively touched her shoulder.