The men were aware that they needed to get moving and make good time, but they couldn't help themselves. They took a while longer, reveling in the sense of victory. Ezra was still reeling as he wrestled with the realization of what lay before them.

The effects of what they had discovered still had not fully settled with him. He doubted if this would be the case even after a few days had passed. Possibly weeks. Part of him was strongly compelled to stay, while another part of him was eager to continue their journey. He reasoned that the quicker they returned to camp and took care of business there, the sooner they could return and finally claim their reward.

"I hate to say it, but I think it's time we moved on. We don't want to get caught out there in the open overnight. Our injuries and lack of food place us in a rather precarious position."

Vincent looked to Ezra. He didn't bother to nod his agreement, but Ezra could tell that his sigh was one of reluctant acceptance.

"Before we get underway, I have something I need to say."

Ezra subtly raised an eyebrow.

"And what's that?"

"I don't want to hear any complaints about you helping me out of this pit. You were the one who insisted on me coming down here in this condition and I'll not tolerate any grumbling about it."

Ezra's expression told Vincent he did not accept responsibility.

"Come on now, Vincent. If I had just yelled up what I was seeing and didn't allow you to experience it for yourself, I'd have never heard the end of it."

Vincent said nothing. His mouth contorting into a slight frown. Ezra didn't quite roll his eyes, but his expression was one of obvious frustration.

"Do you mean to sit there and tell me you would have been okay, If I just told you about the gold? After all this time you expect me to believe you wouldn't insist on seeing it for yourself, regardless of injuries or anything else?"

Vincent's expression hardened. He refused to budge.

"Oh, you stubborn old mule." Ezra said, exasperated. "There's no way you would have accepted anything less than seein' it for yourself and you know it. Even if you won't admit it to my face."

For a moment Vincent was on the verge of breaking his silent streak. But ultimately, he held his ground.

"Look, we don't have to spend time on who's right and who's wrong. But you were glad you had the chance to see it for yourself. You can't deny that at least."

Vincent folded his arms defiantly, but his change in countenance signaled his begrudging acceptance.

"Fine, I'll admit that I am glad I got to see it for myself."

"Ok, then." Ezra said with a nod.

Vincent nodded back curtly. Then paused, looking up at the tunnel where he'd come crashing down earlier.

"So, Mr. I'll catch you. What is your brilliant plan to get us out of here?"

"Well, Ezra said defensively. It's not like it takes a mastermind to figure it out. It's not that bad a climb."

Vincent frowned. Only, the expression was far more pronounced this time.

"Are you forgetting something," Vincent responded, annoyance in his tone. Ezra tensed visibly. The feeling seemed to be mutual.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

"What are you on about now?" Ezra shot back.

Vincent looked down at his mangled leg. His eyes lingered there momentarily for emphasis. Effectively acting as a metaphorical slap on the back of Ezra's head. Vincent slowly looked up to meet his gaze. Condescension on his face.

"Right. Well, I'm the one who got us here in the first place, so I can get us out. You're welcome by the way."

Vincent looked at him incredulously. "You're welcome? Why on earth would I be thanking you for kicking me down a hole and leaving me trapped?"

"Oh please. I was way down here when you fell. What I did do, was find a whole lot of gold. Which honestly could have gotten me killed. If you weren't such an ingrate, you would have thanked me by now or at least shown a lick of concern; with me having been caught in a collapse and all."

Vincent pursed his lips, his features stuck somewhere between a grimace and a scowl.

"With you badgering me to come down here in this condition, you may as well have kicked me."

Vincent trailed off, not seeming to buy into his own accusation. Either Ezra was too caught up in his own anger to hear Vincent or he had no response. He continued his rant as he began to pace.

"And don't look at me like it's my fault you got gouged. I still haven't received so much as a thank you for saving your hide by the way."

Vincent's expression softened.

"It's not about placing blame. But it sure does make a not so bad climb a lot worse."

They remained silent for a time as Ezra paced back and forth until he had let off enough steam to calm down. Then he stopped at the bottom of the tunnel and looked up pensively. He furrowed his brow as he inspected the tunnel, deep in thought for a moment. He sighed.

"I think the only real option is to have you go first. I'll follow behind and push you along as much as I can. Providing support when you need it. I'll make sure you don't fall. It won't be easy, but it should be doable."

Ezra removed his hat and motioned for Vincent to move forward.

"Cripples before beauty." he said.

Vincent gave him a look but did not respond. He made his way up the tunnel to the best of his ability. Ezra placed his hands on Vincent's back to support him and began to climb as well.

Under normal circumstances, the climb would have been simple, but Vincent found it difficult. He grunted, flexing his muscles with the effort of pulling himself forward, when suddenly, the applied pressure sent a ripple through his bowls.

His stomach gurgled loudly, and a wave of flatulence exploded out of him. Ezra found himself in an unfortunate position, as the blast hit him directly in the face. He wretched. Gagging and dry heaving as his body attempted to expel the deadly fumes.

Vincent flushed with embarrassment, but Ezra's reaction sent him into a fit of laughter.

"What on earth did you eat, rotten eggs!?" Ezra said angrily.

He continued to wretch; almost sure he would vomit. Instead, he continued heaving and spat in disgust. Meanwhile, Vincent's laughter prompted further release of fumes in scattered bursts. This was too much for Ezra. He abandoned his post to escape the barrage of blasts, leaving Vincent to hold himself up as he continued to laugh uncontrollably.

Ezra pulled his hat from his head, attempting to wave away the rancid cloud in disgust.

"Shots fired!" Ezra said in between coughs. "That was a deliberate assault!

"No," Vincent retorted with a wheeze.

He continued laughing.

"I swear... it was an accident."

"Sure it was." Ezra said, still attempting to clear the air. "Accidental murder. My mouth was open and everything."

This sent Vincent over the edge, the laughter almost causing him to lose his balance. Ezra eyed him with disdain. Clearly not sharing his mirth.

"Here I was worried about appearing foolish for dying in a cave. Little did I realize that I would be poisoned with noxious gas. I couldn't imagine a more undignified and horrible death if I tried."

Vincent, in the height of hysterics, let off a few more for good measure and this time Ezra couldn't help but join him in laughter at the absurdity, coupled with Vincent's unhinged reaction.

Eventually, Vincent's hysteria waned, and he was able to get himself under control once more. They lingered for a time as they recovered from the unexpected ordeal. Ezra placed his hat back on his head and stood.

"Well, now that your attempt to kill me has failed. We should probably get back to the task at hand."

"By all means, but I'm still going to need help to make it out of here." Vincent responded.

Ezra paused. "On second thought, I'm reluctant to put myself in such a dangerous position so soon. I'd be a fool if I didn't learn my lesson. Why don't you get it all out before we continue, so I don't have to put my life at risk again."

Vincent laughed.

"I already did."

Ezra eyed him suspiciously. "Are you sure? Just go ahead and try."

"That's all I've got. I swear." Vincent said, placing his hand over his heart.

Ezra lifted his hands in surrender. "All right. But if you try to pull a stunt like that again, I'll have to be the one to smother you with your own pillow."

"Fair enough," Vincent said, smiling.