gasp from the passengers at the front. Even Viktor, it seemed, had somehow worked his way to the front of the group. He was positioned directly behind the old guy and, amazingly, was being quiet.
Finally they came to a full stop in a large pool that could just about fit them all in. They all sat around listening to the old guy talk about the history of the caves for a little while. No one it seemed was as into it as Dante who had edged his way to the front. The minutes rolled by and the group’s patience was wearing thin so the old guy decided to move them on.
“For this next section, each person will have to go through this small gap in the rock and slide out the other side. You can go through on your front or back but when you’re clear, shout back to let us know. Then, the next person will be allowed to go, understood?”
There was a collective “Yes!”
“OK, I’ve been instructed to let you through in reverse alphabetical order, so who’s first?”
Everyone looked at Viktor. But he was too busy trying to say the alphabet backwards. There was actually a William on the bus but he had gone with the earlier group.
“Viktor, you’re up.”
Viktor positioned himself by the open gap and jumped at it, landing hard on his stomach. There was a scream of excitement, then a splash and the sound of thrashing around. This went on for a while. It sounded like a child just learning to swim. Then, nothing. It was impossible to see through to the other side, it was too dark. A few moments went by and still nothing.
“Viktor, is it clear?” the old guy shouted, slightly annoyed that the very first person had messed up the rhythm.
Still nothing.
Hushed whispers broke out amongst the group. No one actually liked Viktor except his sidekick James, who had decided to go in the first group, but everyone seemed worried. The old guy waded over to the gap and took it backwards. There was no scream of excitement and barely a splash on the other side. Once again there was silence. Then, out of nowhere, the old man shrieked. It was inaudible words enmeshed into what seemed like a command. Then, as if he had realized that no one had understood him he shouted again. This time it was audible.
“Viktor’s dead.”
Chapter 15
The words hung in the air like a bad smell, made worse by the fact they echoed three or four times before subsiding. The word “dead” seemed to go on on forever. No one reacted at all. They were rooted to the spot. Like it hadn’t happened. Like they were all pretending not to hear those words. Except they all had.
“Who’s the fastest runner? Get in here!” the old man screamed from beyond the wall.
Dante didn’t wait for the others to respond. He may have been the fastest runner, he may not have been, but he definitely was the first to react. He waded as fast as he could towards the gap and dived through. Another time he may have enjoyed it too. But not this time.
He entered the water on the other side face first and sprang up athletically. His head hadn’t been underwater since the beginning so he really felt the familiar numb sensation wash over every centimeter of his face. This side was pitch black and significantly colder than the other side of the wall. He waded through the deep water towards the sound. In the distance he could see something but he couldn’t process it quickly enough because a second later a hand grabbed him and dragged him towards a strange scene. The old guy had him clasped in one hand and the back of Viktor’s head clutched in the other.
“I can’t move him. I think his foot’s stuck. Hold his head out of the water while I try to get his foot free.”
“But wait…” It was too late. The old guy was under. Dante caught the back of Viktor’s head. His face was white and water was pouring down his face. But Dante knew why the old guy was rushing now. Viktor may still be alive.
Dante tried to determine a pulse but between holding him up and the old guy thrashing
Finally they came to a full stop in a large pool that could just about fit them all in. They all sat around listening to the old guy talk about the history of the caves for a little while. No one it seemed was as into it as Dante who had edged his way to the front. The minutes rolled by and the group’s patience was wearing thin so the old guy decided to move them on.
“For this next section, each person will have to go through this small gap in the rock and slide out the other side. You can go through on your front or back but when you’re clear, shout back to let us know. Then, the next person will be allowed to go, understood?”
There was a collective “Yes!”
“OK, I’ve been instructed to let you through in reverse alphabetical order, so who’s first?”
Everyone looked at Viktor. But he was too busy trying to say the alphabet backwards. There was actually a William on the bus but he had gone with the earlier group.
“Viktor, you’re up.”
Viktor positioned himself by the open gap and jumped at it, landing hard on his stomach. There was a scream of excitement, then a splash and the sound of thrashing around. This went on for a while. It sounded like a child just learning to swim. Then, nothing. It was impossible to see through to the other side, it was too dark. A few moments went by and still nothing.
“Viktor, is it clear?” the old guy shouted, slightly annoyed that the very first person had messed up the rhythm.
Still nothing.
Hushed whispers broke out amongst the group. No one actually liked Viktor except his sidekick James, who had decided to go in the first group, but everyone seemed worried. The old guy waded over to the gap and took it backwards. There was no scream of excitement and barely a splash on the other side. Once again there was silence. Then, out of nowhere, the old man shrieked. It was inaudible words enmeshed into what seemed like a command. Then, as if he had realized that no one had understood him he shouted again. This time it was audible.
“Viktor’s dead.”
Chapter 15
The words hung in the air like a bad smell, made worse by the fact they echoed three or four times before subsiding. The word “dead” seemed to go on on forever. No one reacted at all. They were rooted to the spot. Like it hadn’t happened. Like they were all pretending not to hear those words. Except they all had.
“Who’s the fastest runner? Get in here!” the old man screamed from beyond the wall.
Dante didn’t wait for the others to respond. He may have been the fastest runner, he may not have been, but he definitely was the first to react. He waded as fast as he could towards the gap and dived through. Another time he may have enjoyed it too. But not this time.
He entered the water on the other side face first and sprang up athletically. His head hadn’t been underwater since the beginning so he really felt the familiar numb sensation wash over every centimeter of his face. This side was pitch black and significantly colder than the other side of the wall. He waded through the deep water towards the sound. In the distance he could see something but he couldn’t process it quickly enough because a second later a hand grabbed him and dragged him towards a strange scene. The old guy had him clasped in one hand and the back of Viktor’s head clutched in the other.
“I can’t move him. I think his foot’s stuck. Hold his head out of the water while I try to get his foot free.”
“But wait…” It was too late. The old guy was under. Dante caught the back of Viktor’s head. His face was white and water was pouring down his face. But Dante knew why the old guy was rushing now. Viktor may still be alive.
Dante tried to determine a pulse but between holding him up and the old guy thrashing
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