ine shaft, shivering, my ankle throbbing with a deep, agonizing pain. I tried to climb out, but

ad stopped. I was soaked, freezing, and my ankle was swollen to twice its normal size. I

yone dow

g. They had been checking old mining sites after the storm. They lowered a

led of coffee and cigarettes. He confirmed my ankle was badly sprained and that I was sufferi

pained, feverish sleep, I heard voices

aid, low and triumphant. "Number

yn replied, a note of excitement in her voice. "Bu

ng pain in my ankle. I limped to the window and looked out. T

indow open wid

ir smiles vanishing.

performance of relief and concern. "I went to get

h. "I heard you. I heard both of

acticed, false apology. "Ethan, I don'

e you're having a rough couple of days, Lester. First the

oking directly at Caleb. "The one about you and t

ct me to believe that? You ruined my life, and now

ul, pleading look before Caleb pulled her away. I watched them go, the truth burning in

che compared to the cold, hard certainty that had settled in