Chapter 39—The Pit

"We're wasting time, and I'm freezing," Christina said. Her teeth were still chattering and her heart pounded. "Tie me up."

Jake created a harness by wrapping rope under her arms and legs.

"You're ready now. Devin and Nikki, come here." Jake handed Devin a length of rope. "Wrap this around your waist a couple of times; you too, Nikki. Leave about six feet of loose rope in between you. I'll do the same. If she falls, we'll anchor her. Got it?"

Devin took the rope and, with hands shaking, tied it around his waist and threw the other end to a grim-looking Nikki.

Christina placed both heels over the edge and crouched to grab the iron rings. She clung with her back to the abyss. Then one hand at a time, she took hold of the ropes beneath the links and lowered her leg. Her toe found the first good indent and she looked down. Not seeing the bridge, she panicked.

"Keep going, Christina," Jake said. She breathed and lowered a second leg. Finding another slight toehold, she felt her way down the wall.

"Owww!" Christina said.

What is it?" Nikki asked.

"My hands—they're burning up. I should have kept my gloves on."

"No," Jake said. "Wool gloves are slippery. Bare hands grip better. We'll put something on them later."

"Am I close?" she called up the wall, hopeful.

"You're about three feet over the bridge, right over the first slat."

Three feet felt like three miles, and her arm and chest muscles began to shake from holding her body weight so long. She couldn't find a toehold and started to panic.

"Christina, you have to keep going. You can do this."

"I'm stuck," she whimpered.

"Visualize a spot, feel for it. You'll find one."

Nikki and Devin shivered as they watched Christina's foot slither along the wall. They dreaded their own descents.

"Wait," Christina cried out. "I found something." And soon her dangling foot anchored, and she continued down until it landed on the wooden slat. The bridge swayed.

Jake heaved a sigh. "You're on it. Now slowly reach for the railing with one hand."

She twisted right and the bridge swayed dangerously. Slowly, she reminded herself.

Nikki watched every move; her insides felt like a cyclone. Devin had bitten all the fingernails on one hand. Blood from his wound seeped into his shoe, and his sock felt thick and wet around his ankle. They stared, wishing Christina to the other side but knowing once she got there it would be their turn.

"One hand and one foot at a time, Christina," Jake said.

Christina gripped the frayed rope railings and looked ahead. Fifteen feet seemed like fifty. She began to move from slat to slat like a toddler learning to walk. The bridge swayed back and forth with her every move, but it held, and she made it to the other side. She looked up at the wall, sweat dripping into her eyes. If only I could wipe it, she thought, but she didn't dare let go.

The wall was illuminated by her headlamp and the light from her crystals. "This looks easier," she hollered up. "I see good footholds."

She reached out for the vertical ropes with both hands and the bridge swung wildly, knocking her to her knees. She grabbed hold of a slat to keep from falling in between. Whoa, that was dumb, she thought, shaking like a leaf. Heat traveled up her neck and face. Sour bile filled her mouth.

"Like I said," Jake said with exasperation, "one hand and one foot at a time."

"I know, I know." She closed her eyes, waiting for the bridge to stop swinging. Finally it did and she tried to stand, but the bridge jerked again.

"Reach for the rope before you stand," Jake said. "That'll stabilize you. Then pull up."

Once my world stops spinning, she thought. Heat pumped through her body like a furnace.

The bridge steadied. She reached for the rope and climbed. Soon her belly lay flat on the tunnel floor. She swung her legs up and rolled away from the pit. Applause broke out. Jake whistled. Devin clapped. Nikki removed her glasses and wiped her eyes.

Christina had proven it was possible. Following her example, each person made it across the bridge. Once on the other side, the team removed the ropes from their bodies and prepared for the trip home. Christina dressed Devin's wounds again. They eyed each other nervously. Neither was happy with the redness and bleeding exacerbated by the crossing.

"Where's Ranger?" Nikki asked. The distraction of the pit and bridge had caused her to lose track of her dog. Not seeing him anywhere, she burst into tears.