I’d explored a good portion of the cave’s perimeter, finding no places where we could climb out, and I didn’t even come close to finding the bottom. From what I knew of underground lakes like this one, the bottom could be three hundred feet deep or more. The thought was even more chilling than the temperature. My arms and legs ached as I stroked back to the place we’d fallen through. How much longer could I do this? I was in better shape than everyone else, so I knew they had to be struggling. As if drawn by one mind, the others moved to meet me beneath the circle of sunlight. I turned my face toward the light, feeling its warmth. Sam was there, Avani beside him still looking dazed and terrified, and Joey quickly joined us. “Where are Kase and Miranda?” I asked. “Probably making out,” said Joey. “No, really—where are they?” My heart leaped in panic.
