Friday, November 17, 2006
just. don't. panic
Nothing was wrong. At first Stephanie thought the massive granite slab had shifted, but it must have just been dust kicked up from her hands. Did it feel tighter, now? She knew the passage would be small even for her. That must be it.
Everything was fine. She hadn't been able to move in over an hour. The passage opened up just beyond her feet, she remembered. Must have pinched a nerve, she thought, since her legs wouldn't move when she asked them to. Breathing was getting difficult, the air so far down must be stale.
No need to worry. There was a whistling sound every time she tried to take a breath, and it felt wet. Down inside somewhere. Her fingers had turned blue, and the color was growing up along her arms. These caverns are freezing, she knew. It must just be getting to her. It had been six hours, after all.
Think positive. Think. Think? She couldn't remember what that word meant. When she tried to laugh, the loose cracking of her ribs reminded her not to. Had she nodded off again? It was so dark, even her watch wouldn't glow anymore. Dried blood caked her face and mouth, but there was a lot of wet all around her. That was good, right? That was good. Good. Positive thinking.
