Amanda followed Indi down the tunnel. The uneven ground sloped downward and was coated in a thin layer of water. They walked carefully, stepping over larger rocks every now and again. They didn’t have to go too far before reaching the end of the tunnel. A small stream of water flowed out of the rock on their left and dribbled down beneath their feet a few meters from where the cave opened up. Up ahead the ground dropped away suddenly.

Amanda placed one hand against the wall to balance. All it would take is one wrong step and they’d be off the edge.

Indi reached the end and climbed up on to drier rock on the left and disappeared around the corner.

When Amanda caught up to her she found there was just enough space to climb up next to her.

Indi leaned back against the wall so Amanda could see past her. “Check that out.”

Just beyond Indi, a few metres along, a gushing river of water pummelled out of a hole in the rock.

“This is as far as I got before,” Indi said. “It looks like you could climb over it but I didn’t want to try it without someone else here, just in case.”

Amanda peered past her and silently agreed. It didn’t look too bad in terms of climbing. The rock above the where the water came out made a sort of curved ledge and the rock had that cheese grater type look again that meant solid handholds. However, the rock was slippery from the spray and one wrong move and you’d be over the edge.

While holding on to the rock with a good grip, Amanda leant out over the edge and peered down. She was surprised to see the shiny surface of water not far below. It was a smaller drop than she would have expected. The water seemed to form into a small river that flowed calmly through another tunnel.

“What do you think? Shall we climb over?” Indi asked. The tone of her voice was hesitant like she half wanted to keep going but also wanted reassurance that it wasn’t too risky.

Amanda considered it. It really didn’t look too bad. “We could come back,” Amanda suggested. “Have a look elsewhere first. I’m not sure I want to risk either of us falling in without any way back up.”

“Cat would do it,” Indi replied, a hint of disappointment but also resignation in her voice.

“Cat would not,” Amanda replied with a small laugh as she climbed back down off the ledge.

Indi looked longingly at the waterfall one last time then followed Amanda back down into the main shaft.

Amanda was making her way carefully back up the passage way when she stepped on a particularly slippery piece of rock. Her legs went out from under her and down she went, sliding towards the edge of ledge on her stomach.

Luckily Indi had a good hold on the wall and one foot in the centre of the channel.

Amanda found herself with her knee hooked around Indi’s foot and no longer sliding towards the edge.

“Are you alright?” Indi asked.

“Hang on,” Amanda replied as she felt around for some hand holds to pull herself up with. “Nice catch.”

“I’m not sure I want to walk back up the tunnel now,” Indi replied half joking half genuinely unsure and still keeping a good grip on the rock attached to the dry mound.

“It’s fine, just take your time,” Amanda replied as she crawled upstream to a rock that was more solid. She pulled herself upright, found a solid stance and then held out and arm for Indi. “Here, give me your hand.”

Amanda helped pull Indi up. Then they stood for a few moments just staring back towards the drop. Eventually Amanda gave a nod of her head and turned to head back. Indi followed close behind.

When they got back to the glow worms and the tight squeeze Indi turned her light off again. Amanda gave a small laugh then did the same. They stood in silence and then Indi spoke.

“We could sleep in here and it’d be like sleeping under the stars.”

“I think the ground is a little wet for that.”

Indi didn’t reply, she just kept starting up at the ceiling in the darkness.

Eventually Amanda turned her light back on. “Come on, why don’t we head back and play some cards.”

“Or explore more of the cave?” Indi suggested as she pointed the torch up at her chin and gave a wide eyed spooky grin.

Amanda chuckled. “We’ll see.”

Amanda went first and she managed to get all the way back through the tight tunnel without getting stuck this time. Getting out on the other side was a different issue. She’d forgotten when she had gotten back into the squeeze that the ground on the other side was further away. She got as far as poking her head out that side and then she swore. She considered a few different options before reversing back the way she had come, feet first.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“What happened?” Indi asked as Amanda re-emerged back on her side.

“Feet first is easier I think, for getting out the other side.”

Indi nodded and waited patiently as Amanda got back into the squeeze, this time feet first.

It was much harder going backwards, which Amanda had expected. She managed to get her hips caught in the same place as on her first traverse but with a slight retreat and rotation she was soon through, both faster and calmer than the first time.

The other side was still difficult, even with her feet going first, as she had no view of her feet and no way to know how close they were to the ground. She managed to grab onto the ledge and lower herself slowly down until she felt the ground beneath her feet.

Once standing she called through for Indi to pass the bag. When that was done Indi entered the squeeze.

“Indi go feet first, it’s much easier out this side.” Amanda told her once she realised which way Indi was trying to go through.

“Can’t I rotate at that end?”

“No,” Amanda replied with a laugh, knowing there was nowhere near enough room.

“I managed it my last time through, sort of, okay the first time was a bit of a struggle getting out, I kinda had to use my shield so I didn’t crash into the floor,” Indi admitted. “I’ll try your way.” She got out and then climbed back in with her feet. She was half way through when she gave a whimper.

“What’s up?” Amanda asked.

“I can’t get my shoulders through.”

Amanda could hear a hint of panic in Indi’s voice.

“You got through before. Three times,” Amanda reminded her.

“Yeah I know but now it’s all different and I kinda had to push when came through the other times and I did that with my feet.” Indi’s voice had risen up a notch and she was speaking faster than normal.

Amanda knew she had to calm Indi down. It didn’t help that Indi also had asthma. It would not be the best place to have an attack.

“Indi relax,” Amanda said in confident soft tones. “Just take a moment to think. It’s a logic puzzle, you just gotta figure out the angles.” She got up close to the hole and reached in where she would see Indi’s foot and gave her ankle a squeeze of reassurance. “You don’t have to move, just relax.”

Indi was quiet for a few moments and it seemed like she was following Amanda’s advice. Eventually Amanda heard some movement again and some muttering that she couldn’t make out.

“I got my chest through there, so you should be able to do it,” Amanda added.

“Are you calling me flat chested?” Indi grunted back.

“Indi...” Amanda rolled her eyes.

“I’m just kidding, thought I’d lighten the mood a little,” Indi yelled back in a playful tone.

“Are you okay?” Amanda asked more seriously.

“Yeah, better now, I am calm, I am one with the rock.”

“Well don’t stay in there too long,” Amanda replied and then added quickly, “But don’t hurry too much, just take your time and move carefully.”

“I am one with the sloths,” Indi replied with another laugh.

“I don’t think sloths live in caves,” Amanda shot back. She smiled.

“Are you sure? Maybe I’m a cave sloth.”

“No I’m not sure.” Amanda admitted.

“Well until we know we shall assume the positive! Ack! Where do I put my feet?” Indi yelped as one foot flailed in empty air as she slid partly out the side of the hole. She nearly hit Amanda with it.

Amanda dodged while calmly instructing. “Stop flailing your feet, grab a hold of something and lower yourself out.”

“What? Grab a hold of what?” Indi replied panic returning to her voice.

“The rock. Here let me help you.” Amanda grabbed Indi’s leg, partly in an attempt not to get kicked and partly to help Indi out.

“Okay okay,” Indi replied as Amanda guided her down and took some of the weight.

“I’m not sure how you got out of there head first before.”

“With great difficulty, a little bit of magic.”

“Uh huh. You know I’m shorter than you and I managed this,” Amanda teased with a chuckle.

“You’ve had much more practice,” Indi replied as she happily found her feet back on solid ground.

“You just gotta trust your hands more, you’ll get there.”

Indi nodded, brushed herself off, and then exclaimed “That was great, let’s do it again!”

“Really?” Amanda smiled “You sounded like you were kind of panicking there for a bit?”

“Oh I was but now I’m out it’s all good. I am ready for more.”

“Why don’t we head back first, maybe have some lunch?”

“Well I guess it gets us closer to the other passages and I am hungry.” Indi nodded.

Amanda nodded back satisfied and gestured for Indi to take the lead this time.

Indi moved on with a large grin plastered across her face.

Amanda watched with mild apprehension as Indi, now with an abundance of extra energy, bounced along the wall, switching between taking both hands off the wall at the same time to lunge for another large hold and gripping the wall and jumping her feet together. Even though the wall looked reasonably solid Amanda didn’t trust Indi not to make a mistake if she continued on like that, besides even the sturdiest of walls could break sometimes.

“Indi be careful.”

“I am careful,” Indi replied as she gave another little jump from one foot to the other.

“At least keep three points of contact on the wall would you?”

“Huh?” Indi stopped and looked back.

Amanda wasn’t sure if Indi didn’t understand or if she just hadn’t heard her. “Three limbs on the wall at one time, for better stability or if a handhold breaks,” she clarified.

“Oh.” Indi nodded. She continued on still with a lot of bounce but she did follow Amanda’s advice.

Amanda gave a satisfied smile to herself and returned to focusing on her own footwork. Down was a bit more difficult than going up, as was usually the case. The angle of the slope made this bit even more difficult and she kept finding that the perfect foothold was just out of reach. She ignored her own advice and gave a small jump from one foot to the other. It was necessary though it did make her wonder how exactly she’d come up past that bit in the first place. She supposed some holds just looked better from a different angle.

By the light of her torch she could see another good hold just up ahead. It was impossible to step onto from here though. In between there was a tiny edge sticking out that made her wish she had climbing shoes instead of oversized hiking boots. She placed one toe on the small hold and moving fast she started to move her other foot over to replace that one with a hop. Just as she pushed her weight down onto her toe the whole foothold came off the wall.

Amanda would have been fine holding on to the large solid handhold about head height had that not also come away from the wall as the entire dynamic load of Amanda’s weight was thrust down on it.

Amanda gave little more than a gasp as she careened down the wall into the darkness below. She reached out for handholds as she fell but found nothing except wet rock.