THE POINT OF NO RETURN

Daylight had just begun to fade with the coming of another autumn evening in northwest Ohio. This night in particular was chilled with a bitter wind blowing through the bare trees like a freight train gone awry. Along an overgrown trail that led into a dark wood, a pair of headlights shone along the ragged bark of ghostly trees twisted and misshapen, with branches reaching high into the moonlit sky like fingers of the dead wishing to rise again. Near the edge of the wood lay a sign faded with age, hastily painted upon broken planks of rotted pine. Coils of barbed wire lay on the browning grass nearby, rusted from harsh rains many years past. Soon the headlights shone upon the sign as a small white pickup truck came to a stop in front of a small wooden fence, while the occupants inside read the weather worn words before them.

“No trespassing by order of the state.” The eldest of the two replied. With a look of sinister anticipation, he turned to his companion sitting in the passenger’s seat and passed him a flashlight, before shifting the key back in the ignition shutting off the engine.

“You ready Michael?” He said with a smile, while pushing in a knob on the counsel of the truck, shutting off the headlights. An eerie silence then filled the air as his friend fumbled with the flashlight, finally nudging the switch to the on position.

“I guess so David.” A weary answer came, as Michael shone the beam of the flashlight out into the darkness that had now begun to unfold before him.

“Well, come on then!” David said pulling up on the door handle, pushing the door open. He then slammed the door and it closed with a bang causing Michael to jump in his seat. Michael’s hand trembled as he reached for the door handle, opening the door slowly. He stepped out of the truck and stood in silence, watching as David moved around to the front of the truck, looking out into the woods. Michael held the flashlight out, shining it on David and he turned around, a sly smile forming over his lips. David then made his way back to Michael, reaching out as he passed by to close the door of the truck. He then went around to the back of the truck and pulled down the tailgate, jumping up into the vehicle.

“What are you doing?” Michael stammered, still holding his light on David as he opened a large metal tool chest, setting under the back window of the cab.

“Just getting a few supplies.” David answered, tossing aside a selection of tools, before pulling out a large coiled yellow nylon rope, tied with black cord.

“Here, catch!” David said tossing the rope over the side of the truck to Michael. Michael reached out, dropping the flashlight on the ground, causing the top to break off, spilling the batteries in the tall weeds nearby.

“Damn you all to hell, Michael.” David snapped, jumping out of the back of the truck with another length of rope draped over his shoulder. “That is the only flashlight I have. Now how are we supposed to see where we are going?”

“Well, screw you too David.” Michael sneered, kneeling down to the ground, feeling around for the parts of the flashlight. His hand then fell over a battery and then another. He dropped them into the flashlight and he soon discovered the top, placing it back onto the flashlight, screwing it down tightly. He flipped the switch on, but nothing happened. He shook the flashlight, banging it against his palm as the light flickered on.

“Now how hard was that?” Michael replied, picking the rope up from the ground.

“For you, surprisingly easy.” David laughed, roughly dragging his hand across Michael’s head, as he began to walk towards the woods.

“Hey, wait a minute David!” Michael yelled out, still standing beside the truck. “What are you doing? I mean with the ropes. What do we need them for?” David then stopped and looked back to Michael, pulling his rope higher up onto his shoulder.

“You don’t think I came all this way not to go in there, do you?” David replied.

“In there? You mean actually go in?” Michael whined, swallowing hard.

“Hell, yes.” David answered turning away, walking back to the woods. “Now get your ass in gear. We have a long walk ahead.” Michael took in a deep breath and closed his eyes. Reluctantly he stepped forward, one foot slowly in front of the other, following David into the unknown darkness before them.

Nearly an hour had come to pass before David and Michael came to rest. There, in the middle of the woods was a clearing, no trees, just bare ground, littered with fallen leaves. A large rock rested near the center of the clearing, painted with words of quickly scrawled graffiti reading ‘the point of no return’. Michael could feel the hair stand on the back of his neck and he stopped next to David’s side. The grey clouds lining the sky parted and the light of the moon was now shining brightly through the trees. So brightly in fact, that Michael turned off the flashlight, placing it into his back pocket.

“There it is.” David replied pointing to the rock. “Just there, on the other side.” A loud whistle of wind then omitted an eerie cry, echoing for a few minutes time, before fading away into a deafening silence. Michael turned to David, a tinge of fear within his eyes.

“What the fuck?” Michael snapped, backing away from David. “What was that?”

“The wind.” David said, moving closer to the rock. David then took his rope down from his shoulder, tying it around a nearby tree. He drug it behind him on the ground and then went around the rock, standing near the opening of a three foot wide crevice, which was hidden on the other side.

“It came from down there.” David replied looking back to Michael, who had slowly begun to make his way back to David’s side. Michael came close and looked around the rock, to the opening in the ground at David’s feet.

“That is it?” Michael yelled with disappointment. “That is the big mysterious black abyss that everyone is always raving about? The big bad hole in the ground, that everyone who goes in to take a peek, never comes back out of. Shit, David.” Michael said tossing his rope to the ground. “You really suck ass.”

“Come on.” David said sternly holding out his hand. “Hand me your rope.”

“Why?” Michael snapped, reaching down, taking the rope into his hand, tossing it towards David. It caught the edge of the rock and then bounced away, falling down into the dark crevice. Michael came forward, leaning over the rock, looking down, when a gust of frigid wind blew out of the opening, touching chilling fingers across the faces of the two young men at the opening.

“The rope.” Michael said softly, his heart now racing in his chest. “It never hit the bottom.” Michael replied looking to David, his face now grimacing with anger.

“Never hit the bottom huh!” David yelled pushing Michael’s shoulder, knocking him to the ground. “You’ve done went and hit the bottom yourself Michael! That was my dad’s rope you ass! If he finds out it’s missing there will be hell to pay!” David then came around the rock and helped Michael up to his feet. He then took the end of the rope and began tying it around Michael’s waist, making a firm knot at his side.

“What are you doing?” Michael replied, pushing David away.

“You’re going down there and getting that rope!” David shouted. “There is no way we are leaving until I get it back.”

“No way, man!” Michael protested, reaching to untie the knot around his waist. “You’re not making me get nothing!”

“Have it your way then.” David replied. “Either you go down there and get that rope or I tell that you cheated on your final exam.”

“You wouldn’t.” Michael sneered, moving his hands away from the knot.

“Wouldn’t I?” David mused, realizing he had Michael under his thumb. Michael’s face turned to disgust and he brushed by David, hitting his shoulder as he went to stand at the opening of the crevice. Another trail of chilling wind came from the opening, pushing Michael’s hair away from his face.

“What about you, oh so high and mighty?” Michael jeered, kneeling down to the ground. “Why don’t you go down too, since it seems you were so up to it in the first place?”

“I would, had you not thrown the other rope down the hole.” David replied, coming to Michael’s side. “I’ll follow you down. When you reach the bottom, I’ll pull the rope up and come down.”

“Oh no!” Michael said as he sat down on the ground, dangling his feet into the hole. He then tugged on the rope, making sure it held fast to the tree several feet away. “If you’re coming, you are going to follow right down behind me. No pulling the rope up. You tried that stunt two years ago if you remember right, leaving me in that quarry down on Pike’s Way. Not again.”

“Fine.” David snapped. “You touch bottom and pull on the rope, then I’ll climb down. Deal?”

“Deal.” Michael said, reaching out to David to shake on the agreement. David took his hand and Michael smiled, letting go, rolling over onto his belly while reaching back to his jeans pocket, making sure his flashlight was secure.

“Now run the rope on the other side of that rock and wince me down.” Michael replied. “I don’t want to plummet to the bottom. Nice and easy, alright.” David nodded and threw the extra slack of rope around the rock, holding onto the remaining bit tightly, as Michael put his feet down into the hole, inching his way backwards. Soon all he could see were Michael’s hands clinging to the earth on the outer edge of the crevice before they disappeared, increasing the weight on the other end of the rope. David pulled back tightly, slowly letting the rope slide forward around the rock, as Michael descended down the hole.

Michael’s heart continued to beat with a fury as he was lowered inch by inch, down into the darkness surrounding him. He clung to the rope, his knuckles white and palms sweaty with fear. Shrill whistles of wind swept around him, the icy breeze biting at his skin. The knot of rope at his side had begun to creep up over his jeans, digging into his skin making the decent all the more painful. Michael looked below, into the black void, his feet dangling into the shadows, with no end to the chasm in sight. Just then he stopped, hanging in the darkness. He turned his eyes upwards, a faint light shining from the opening on high. It was the moon, full and bright, a beacon of safety to the world above. A shadow then formed near the edge of the hole. It was David.

“That’s the end of the rope!” David yelled out, his voice echoing loud in Michael’s ears. “Are you near the bottom?” Michel then felt his hands slip from the rope and he grabbed on tighter, spinning about as he reached away with one hand, trying to push the knot of the rope down from his side. He was silent for a moment, his face writhing with pain as the rope dug further into his skin.

“Michael!” David screamed. “Where the hell are you? I can’t see you!”

“I’m here!” Michael shouted. “The rope, it’s cutting into my side!”

“The bottom!” David replied, yelling once more. “Can you see it?”

“No!” Michael snapped back. “If that’s all the rope, then pull me back up. I am not letting go to see how long of a drop it will be until you hear me hit the bottom.”

“Damn it!” David shouted, pounding his hand down on the ground. “I’m dead now for sure.” David was quiet for a moment and then he moved away from the opening, returning a short time later.

“The flashlight Michael.” David replied. “Turn it on and shine it below you. Can you see anything?”

“What?” Michael questioned his voice growing stern. “No! Now come on David, pull me back up! Forget about that rope. I’ll just buy your dad another one!” Michael yelled, tugging on the rope, causing himself to spin around even more. He then began to sway, hitting the side of the dirt walls around him.

“David!” Michael shouted. “Pull me up before I fall, right this fucking instant!” Again, Michael turned about on the end of the rope, smacking the opposite side of the wall. He looked up, watching as David moved away from the hole. Moments later he felt a strong tug as he was lifted up, only to feel himself fall back down again, driving the knot of the rope further into his skin. Michael screamed out in pain, feeling his hand grow damp as he placed it over his side near the rope.

“I’m bleeding!” Michael yelled out, reaching up onto the rope high above his head. “David, stop pulling!”

“Stop pulling?” A muffled reply came back.

“Yes! Stop pulling!” Michael cried out. David then emerged above the hole once more looking down into the darkness, still unable to see Michael below.

“I’m going to try climbing up myself.” Michael replied. “You think it will work?”

“It’s worth a shot.” David said kneeling down, peering into the hole.

“Alright then.” Michael replied taking in a deep breath. “Hold on to the rope. Hold it steady so I don’t spin around anymore.” David then gripped onto the rope as Michael began to pull himself up, finally making up a bit of slack in the rope in order to make a loop to grip his feet into. His hands grew sweaty as he continued to draw himself up, pulling his weight on the rope.

“I can almost see you!” David shouted. “I’ll reach out and pull you up when you get close!” David replied lying down on the ground. Slowly Michael made his way up, David’s face coming closer with each pull of his hands on the rope. David reached out, his hand almost touching Michael’s.

“Come on!” David replied. “Reach out with one hand and I’ll pull you up!” With weary arms, Michael took in a deep breath, taking his left hand away from the rope, holding it out, just touching the tip of David’s fingers. He then felt his grip slipping with the other hand and he quickly took hold of the rope with both hands once more, while his heart pounded in his chest.

“Reach out again Michael!” David exclaimed, holding his arm further down to Michael. “You can’t hang there forever! Now reach!” Michael closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against the rope. He was tired. He wanted to rest for a moment. He could feel David’s fingers brushing against his fingertips, as he still held fast to the rope, his lifeline home. He breathed in deep, opening his eyes, looking up to David as he leaned further into the hole, grasping Michael’s hand.

“Just let go.” David said with reassurance. “I’ve got you… first one hand and then the other.” Slowly Michael pulled his left hand away, while David held it tightly, drawing Michael upwards with all his strength. Michael tightened his grip on the rope with his feet before pulling his other hand away, quickly taking hold of David’s hand. David pulled once more, bringing himself into a squatting position, trying to drag Michael out of the crevice. Both of their hands were sweaty and David gripped Michael’s hands tightly with his own, pulling harder than before. He then felt his feet slip out beneath him and he fell over, hitting the ground.

“David!” Michael yelled out as he felt himself drop when David wavered and fell. He let go of David’s hand, fearing he would pull him down into the hole. He clung to the rope, sweat pouring from his forehead, stinging his eyes.

“Are you alright?” David replied leaning back over the crevice.

“Yeah.” Michael answered, his voice quivering. He could feel his hands shaking, growing damp with his fear. He reached higher up onto the rope, hoping to grasp onto a dry area to steady his grip. He let go and took a firm hold but his hands were too moist. He slipped, losing his hold, frantically grasping at the rope as he felt himself fall away, down into the vast darkness. An eternity seemed to pass as he fell before being snapped back violently, as he at last came to the end of the rope. Michael was breathing in quickly, trying in vain to catch his breath. He was turning about; dangling within the pitch black abyss, not knowing what awaited him at the bottom, or even if there was a bottom below. Michael tried to pull himself upright, taking another grip on the rope, but again his hands slid away. He could hear David screaming his name above. Michael opened his mouth to reply, but his words were stolen away as he was unable to catch his breath. He then felt as though he dropped again and he held his head up, looking to the rope. Michael reached to his side, feeling the rope cutting into his skin once again. He placed his hand over the knot and his heart sank. He could feel it slowly unraveling under his palm. Michael cupped his hand over it tightly, but it was no use. The knot came undone and he felt the rope slip away from his waist as he closed his eyes, hearing his name called out by David with sheer terror, while he fell, remembering nothing more.

“Michael!” David yelled, leaning over the opening of the hole. “Michael, I’m not playing games! Answer me damn it!” David then fell silent. He heard no reply. A frigid gust of wind swept around David, sending a chill up his spine as the hair on his arms stood on end.

“Michael!” David screamed, his voice growing hoarse. “Michael, please!” David began to panic. He stood to his feet, pacing around the hole, throwing his arms up in the air, constantly drawing his eyes to the opening, hoping to see Michael’s hands come over the edge. He put his hands into his pants pockets, fumbling with his keys. Softly he heard a faint groan. He stopped and turned towards the hole. Again, another muffled sound. David rushed back to the opening and threw himself down to the ground, sticking his head into the hole, shouting out Michael’s name once more.

“Hey, buddy.” David yelled. “Michael, I hear you. Come on man, just say something.”

Slowly Michael opened his eyes, his head spinning and his back aching with pain. He blinked, looking above him to a looming shadow hanging over the opening of the crevice above him. Very faintly he could hear someone yelling his name, but their words seemed muffled, almost as though someone had their hands over his ears. Michael’s hands were over his chest and he reached out, setting his hands down on the ground, only to find himself lying on a floor of mud, covered with a few inches of water. He closed his eyes, feeling a stinging twinge of pain in his back and he carefully rolled over, pushing himself up from the ground. He lifted himself up into a sitting position and stayed there for a moment, trying to gather his senses on what had just happened. Still, David continued to yell and now Michael could hear his words plain as day, without the water and mud surrounding his ears. His face coiled and he threw his hands over his ears, shouting back to David above.

“Shut the hell up!” Michael yelled. “I hear you. Christ, you’re giving me a headache!”

“I’m saved!” David screamed jumping away from the opening, falling down onto his knees. He then came back to the hole, looking down, trying to catch any glimpse of Michael in the darkness below.

“It’s a good thing you’re not dead!” David replied grabbing a hold of the rope, swinging it from side to side. He then noticed that Michael was no longer attached to the other end.

“What happened?” David asked. “You come untied?”

“It would seem that way.” Michael sneered with anger, reaching his hand to the back of his head. “Don’t you know how to tie knots David?”

“I do.” David replied. “Sorry you fell, man. I was just trying to figure out how to tell your mom you were dead, if I didn’t come back with you.”

“Well nice of you to think about that.” Michael growled, feeling as though he was sitting on something hard. He leaned to the side, and reached under his leg, pulling out the flashlight. He drug his hand along it, clearing away the mud and then turned it on. A faint beam of light shone out and Michael held the flashlight high above his head towards David.

“I can see you!” David said smiling. “You’re not that far down!”

“I noticed.” Michael mumbled taking in a deep breath as he stood to his feet. He moved his arm around, shining the light on the dirt walls around him.

“How about the rope?” David asked. “Can you reach it to climb back up?”

“I was about to chew your ass out if you were asking about the one that fell down here!” Michael yelled, holding the flashlight above his head. He walked forward a bit and reached out with his free arm, almost touching the end of the rope with his fingertips.

“I can’t reach it all the way.” Michael replied. “About another foot would do it.”

“Shit.” David said under his breath. “Well, I’m coming down then. I’m taller so I can give you a hand up and then climb up after you.”

“Alright.” Michael yelled out, pacing around the floor. “How long is that rope anyways?”

“Little over twenty feet.” David replied as he swung his feet over the hole, wrapping them around the rope. “Not long at all, but short enough to leave you hanging at the bottom with no way out.” David laughed as he began to make his way down the rope.

“Funny.” Michael said sarcastically. “So I had myself about a nice six foot drop to the bottom of this hole.” Michael replied holding the flashlight on David as he made his way down.

“Pretty close.” David mumbled, slowly inching his way along the rope. “Not that far really, but enough to hurt I guess.”

“Yeah, hurt isn’t the word for it.” Michael snarled as he rubbed his back. “Must have hit pretty hard to knock myself out cold. How long were you yelling my name up there?” Michael asked.

“Five minutes at the most.” David replied, almost reaching the end of the rope. “It seemed longer though. I freaked out. I didn’t know what happened when you wouldn’t answer me.”

“That’s good you lost your cool!” Michael said making his way towards David as he jumped off the rope. “Serves you right for making me come down here.” Michael replied as David splashed down into the water.

“What the hell?” David said as he lifted his feet up out of the water. “Why didn’t you tell me about the mud Michael? These are my new sneakers man!”

“Guess I forgot to mention it.” Michael laughed, giving David a friendly punch to his shoulder. “It won’t kill you. It’s just a bit of water.”

“Water, yeah.” David moaned. “Freezing ass water at that. Damn it’s cold down here.”

“You’re telling me.” Michael sighed looking towards the rope. “Now how about a hand up. Let’s get out of here and head home, alright.”

“Yeah, sure thing.” David replied kneeling down so Michael could step up on his knee to reach the rope. Michael then handed David the flashlight and placed his foot up on David’s knee, when David suddenly stood up, letting Michael fall back down to the muddy ground.

“What’s that?” David said, holding the flashlight out before him.

“What’s what?” Michael snapped, bringing himself up from the ground.

“That there.” David replied, pointing the flashlight to his left. “I see something yellow, over there in the corner.”

“I don’t see a thing!” Michael remarked as he stood up, wringing the water from his shirt.

“It’s the rope!” David shouted, his voice echoing off the walls in the cavern. For a moment he stood in silence, looking above to the moonlight shining in the evening sky. He then took his focus back to the rope, shadowed in darkness before him.

“Talk about a lucky break.” David said, making his way towards the rope. Michael didn’t follow. He stood watching as David walked away towards the far wall of what seemed to be their grave, if they did not climb out and make for home.

“Come on David!” Michael moaned. “Just grab the damn thing and let’s go.”

“Alright, man.” David replied, kneeling down to the ground, reaching out to the rope. He then noticed an opening before him. David shown the flashlight inside but all he could see was darkness. David then put the flashlight down on the ground beside him.

“Michael, come here and look at this!” David exclaimed, sticking his head into the opening, his voice echoing inside. “It is some sort of cave.”

“Probably not a good idea.” Michael said softly, reaching up to grab the rope, hoping he could touch it with a small jump. Still he couldn’t grab it. He looked to David and took in a deep breath, shaking his head from side to side.

“Come on. Just one peek and then we’ll go.” David whined like a child, pulling his head out of the opening. “I got the rope, that’s all that matters.”

“All that matters?” Michael questioned, placing his hands on his hips. “Like I have no meaning at all. Oh, let’s just leave Michael in the hole and worry about getting my dad’s rope back to safety.” Michael ranted as he made his way towards David. David then looked back to Michael, a cocky smile on his face.

“See, look here.” David said pointing into the hole. “Nothing much, just an opening.” David replied leaning into the hole just a bit as Michael bent down, looking over his shoulder. “I wonder what is inside.” Just then a chilling gust of wind surrounded them both, knocking Michael backwards as David screamed out. Michael looked up, he was alone. David had disappeared into the darkness before them.

“David!” Michael yelled, crawling across the damp floor. “David, I’m not up for your games! Where the hell are you?” There was no answer, only the sound of the bitter wind replied as it whistled through the dark opening. Michael trembled, reaching out for the flashlight in front of him. He picked it up and held it out before him, shining it into the hole.

“David, are you in there?” Michael shouted, inching closer to the small chasm in the wall. Michael looked inside, backing away quickly, throwing his hand over his nose. The air smelled of decay. Just then a faint voice called out from within. It was David calling out Michael’s name.

“I’m here!” Michael replied, peering into the opening. “I’m going to go and get help!” A shrill cry then echoed from the crevice and Michael heard nothing more. He turned away, pressing his back up against the dirt wall, dropping the flashlight from his hand. Michael’s heart raced in his chest. He didn’t know what to do. Michael closed his eyes as a frigid wind swept up around him, biting at his skin. He just couldn’t leave David behind. Michael swallowed hard, opening his eyes, looking down to the flashlight resting near his feet. He leaned forward, picking it up, shining it back into the opening beside him. There was no turning back. He had to go inside.

Michael pulled his shirt up over his nose as he moved his way through the opening of the crevice. It wasn’t a wide space to move through. The sides were mere inches away from his shoulders and the top only but a foot from his head. Michael crawled forward on his hands and knees, clutching his flashlight tightly letting the light shine out before him. It was unnervingly dark. It seemed to be the blackest pitch that even the most brilliant light could not seem to break through. Michael sighed deeply, inching forward, trying in desperation to see what was before him. Time and again he would yell out David’s name, only to hear his own voice echo back in return. He continued on, slowly winding his way through a small tunnel. Michael pawed at the ground around him, feeling if there were any other openings that may lead somewhere else but he found nothing. Hours seemed to pass as Michael made his way forward until the ground suddenly gave out beneath him, dropping him into a cesspool of water. Michael gasped opening his eyes under the water as his flashlight sank down along side him, lighting the murky brown water before finally flickering out. Michael swam upwards, thrusting his hand out before him, unable to find any break in the surface. He could feel his chest tightening as his lungs struggled for air. Michael threw his hands up again, banging his fists on the hard surface above him, hoping it would give. He continued pounding, so much so that he could now taste his own blood in the water as the rocky ceiling tore into his flesh. Michael felt himself growing lightheaded and he thrust himself forward one last time, shoving his hand out above his head. He broke through the surface of the water and Michael swam up, coming out of the water, deeply gasping for air. Michael rubbed his eyes, now burning from opening them under the pungent water. Slowly he opened them again, finding himself in a small cavern, lightly glowing with an eerie luminescence. It was filled with water, up to his shoulders. Michael didn’t dare let go of the cave wall to see how deep the water was, he just held fast to the rocks protruding from its surface. Michael breathed in fully, trying to catch his breath while clutching his hand to his chest. Then, out of the corner of his eye he noticed a figure huddled up against the far wall of the cave, their face turned away from Michael’s glance.

“David!” Michael shouted, pushing himself from the wall, paddling through the water. As Michael came closer, he could see that it was indeed David, his body pressed hard up against the cave wall, both his hands held fast to a jagged rock.

“David, it’s me!” Michael replied, finally coming to David’s side. He reached out; putting his hand on David’s shoulder and David fell away from the wall hitting the water, sending Michael coiling back in horror. David’s face was pale, his eyes frozen in a fixed wide stare, lips slightly parted and blue. His arms were rigid, still reaching out in desperation as his body slowly sank beneath the surface of the water. Michael screamed, kicking himself backwards through the water. He had to find his way back out.

Michael dove beneath the surface of the water, feeling along the edges of the walls, trying to find the place where he entered the small cave. He was starting to panic, having been submerged in the freezing water for nearly an hour, his fingers and legs starting to go numb from the cold. He was struggling to stay awake as he continued to feel along the walls in search of any opening or means of escape. Suddenly Michael heard a deep bellow and he turned around quickly watching as tiny ripples began forming along the surface of the water. Michael swam for the side wall of the cave, clinging to a small formation protruding from the rocky surroundings. He lifted himself out of the water as far as he could, listening as bubbles began rising to the top of the water. Just then David’s body resurfaced and Michael looked away, closing his eyes tightly, resting his head against his chest. A sound unlike any other Michael had heard before then echoed out, the noise piercing his ears. Michael pulled away from the wall, throwing his hands over his ears, his eyes opening only to see a swarm of ripples and bubbles surround David’s body, before it was violently sucked beneath the surface of the water. Michael’s eyes grew large, his heart racing with a sudden fury. A large gush of water spewed forth from the surface of the water and out shot a bleeding mangled carcass, slapping the top of the cavern ceiling before hitting the water. Michael screamed out in terror, trying to swim away. Suddenly the surface of the water grew still and for a moment Michael stopped, trying to catch his bearings as he reached below the surface of the water, feeling along the walls for the opening he so desperately needed. His hand then caught the lip of an opening. It was the tunnel he needed to swim back though. Michael looked back, his eyes shining with fear as a line of ripples began forming on the surface of the water once more. They were headed right for him. Michael looked back to the water knowing his way out was just below the surface. He turned back, the ripples now closer, intensifying as they began to travel faster over the water. Michael closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, diving below the surface of the water, praying he would make it out alive.

As Michael made his way through the tunnel he propelled himself forward, thrusting his hands up above him, hoping to reach his hand through the hole he fell through. A deep bellow echoed through the water and Michael pounded his fists hard against the rocky surface above him. Soon his hand grasped air and Michael grabbed the edges of the opening, pulling himself out through the hole which would lead him back out into the main cavern. Michael fell to his stomach, breathing in deeply before pushing himself up from the muddy floor of the tunnel. He began crawling as fast as he could, listening as a deep writhing sound echoed out from the hole behind him. Michael finally fell through the opening at the other end of the tunnel, landing face first in the water that lined the cave floor. Michael scrambled to his feet, running to the rope, still dangling from the surface above. The dawn was fast approaching, shining a soft glow down into the cavern and Michael jumped up, struggling to grasp the rope hanging above him. His fingers brushed the bottom of the rope and Michael screamed out in frustration, falling to the floor exhausted. He then remembered the coil of rope, still resting near the opening of the tunnel. Michael looked up, his eyes focused on the rope as he got to his feet, running over to the small dark opening in the cave wall. Michael lost his footing, falling down into the mud, his hand coming to rest over the rope. Michael grasped it tightly, pulling it towards him as water slowly began seeping out from the dark crevice beside him. Michael rose to his feet, scurrying back to the rope, throwing his prize down on the ground, stepping on it to give himself an extra reach to his lifeline. Michael jumped up, grabbing the rope firmly as a gush of water spilled forth from the opening, filling the cave floor below him. Michael began pulling himself upwards, finally getting far enough up the rope to swing himself towards the walls of the cave. He dug his shoes into the dirt, using the walls as leverage to climb further out the hole. Soon the water was rising over his feet, the bone chilling liquid numbing his skin, biting at him like an artic wind. Michael pulled harder, his feet slipping along the walls as the water came up further around him. The piercing pain of the water was almost too much to bear. He could feel it tugging at him, releasing its icy grasp for a moment before catching hold once more, like a predator toying with its prey. Michael finally reached the opening in the ground, thrusting his hand forward, burying his fingers into the dirt. He struggled, dragging himself out, catching the rope between his legs, tangling himself in a mass of knots as he fell to the ground on his side. Michael pulled at the rope, wriggling his legs free as the water slowly began to spill over the opening next to him. Michael turned over, getting to his feet, knocking his elbow against the rock which the rope was tied to. Michael screamed out in pain, holding his arm tight against his chest as he sprinted off through the woods. A deep roar seemed to ring out from the ground below and Michael looked back, the water creeping along the ground with a pace almost matching his own. An eternity seemed to pass as David ran, constantly looking behind him as the water licked at his heels. Soon David’s truck came into view and Michael took in a deep breath, stumbling over his feet, falling into a pile of dead leaves and grass. He got to his feet once more, running as fast as his legs could carry him. In no time at all he reached David’s truck and he went to the driver’s side door, opening it and climbing inside. Michael pressed his hand down over the lock and threw himself over the seat, pulling open the glove compartment door. He fumbled around through papers, searching for the spare set of keys he knew David kept inside there. His fingers finally touched cold metal and Michael pulled out the keys, quickly jamming one into the ignition. He turned it harshly, the engine stalling for a moment before it finally turned over. Michael threw the truck into reverse and slammed his foot against the gas pedal but he wasn’t moving. Michael looked out the window to the ground below. The truck was surrounded in water. Michael pressed his foot to the gas once more, spinning the tires on the pavement. The truck began moving forward, the grill pressing on the wooden fence as the rails splintered against the weight of the truck. Michael peered out the side window, watching as the water receded back towards the woods, pulling the truck along with it. Sweat was pouring from Michael’s brow. He was trapped. He panicked, his eyes focusing on any means of escape possible. He then turned to the window in the back of the cab, looking out into the bed of the truck. Michael reached over and opened the window, pulling his body through the small opening. He fell out onto the top of the toolbox resting under the window. Michael stood to his feet, peering over the side of the truck. The water still surrounded him. He then noticed the tailgate was still down. Michael walked further along the truck bed, standing for a moment at the edge of the tailgate. He couldn’t see the water. Still the truck moved beneath him, inching further off into the woods. Michael took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, counting to three before lunging off the back of the truck tumbling to the ground below. Michael lifted up his head, a deep haunting groan filling the air as the water released its grip on the truck, leaving it sitting sideways while it retreated back in defeat, seeping down into to the crevice in the ground which hid a dark and deeply terrifying presence.