Facsimile by Vicki Weavil Read Free Book Online

there’s a cavern under here. I’d like to see if I’m right.” He peers into the dark hole created by the missing rock. “Definitely something. Listen.”
    He yells into the opening. The sound reverberates for several seconds.
    “You’re loco.” I back away. “Now look, I said I’d show you around. But I also promised to protect you. Back off and let’s go around to the other side of this rock pile. There’re likely to be some other creatures you can examine with your computer thingy.”
    “Alright,” says Dace, reluctance sharpening his tone. He steps away from the rocks and strolls to his bike. “Let me grab some stuff first.”
    I yawn as I wait for him to collect his equipment. Although I was in bed early enough last night, I didn’t sleep well. Spent too many hours planning every aspect of my escape from Eco.
    We walk around to the opposite side of the rock pile. Dace keeps his eyes on the ground, undoubtedly searching for more creatures, while I stare absently at the horizon. As he kneels and takes samples of the thin soil, I sit down in the shade of the rocks and lean back against a large boulder that’s in no danger of moving. Enjoying the coolness of the stone behind my back and the warm wind playing across my face, I close my eyes.
    I wake to silence. Jumping to my feet, I stare wildly about. There’s no sign of Dace.
    The sun has dropped lower in the sky, telling me the afternoon is drifting toward dusk. I run around the perimeter of the rock pile, calling Dace’s name, but receive no reply. The bikes and our supplies are just where we left them, except Dace’s emergency kit is missing. I swear and dash to the section of the rock pile where Dace removed the stone.
    Many more rocks have been pulled aside, forming a narrow opening no bigger than the width of a pair of slender shoulders. I run back to the bikes and fish a solar flashlight from my bag. Strapping my own emergency kit around my waist, I walk slowly toward the dark opening in the rocks.
    I have no desire to step into that crevice, no inclination to follow Dace on his foolish expedition. But he’s my responsibility as well as my only hope of getting my family off this godforsaken planet. I can’t leave him no matter how much I’d like to.
    Stupid boy.
    Another stupid boy. More trouble than they’re worth.
    Dace’s bright smile flashes through my mind. I take a deep breath and squeeze through the narrow opening, stepping into the darkness.

 
     
    I flick on the flashlight. It casts a faint bluish glow as I pull out my holofone and check its illuminated screen. Of course, there’s no signal. I suppose I should’ve called for help outside, but I really don’t want to alert anyone to the situation unless absolutely necessary. Connor Patel might not be so eager to uphold his end of the bargain if he knows I lost his nephew on our very first day together.
    I’m standing in a passage that’s bigger than I’d anticipated. Although my head brushes the ceiling, I can stretch my arms wide and not touch the side walls. The rock that lines the passage is dark as rich soil, but flecked with something bright as silver. I focus my flashlight on the stone and the imbedded flakes glitter like finely polished metal.
    The sharp scent of mineral-infused water fills my nostrils. I creep forward, gripping my flashlight like the stun gun my grandfather taught me to use for protection. I wish I had that gun now, though I doubt there’s anything in this cave I could use it on. Well, maybe one thing. I smile grimly as I consider using a stun gun on Dace.
    The slope of the passage informs me I’m descending deeper below the surface. There’s a faint sound I strain to identify—a gentle slap, like water washing against the side of a bowl. I follow the passage as it veers to the right and a gust of air blows against my head. Looking up, I spy a shaft that rises up through the rock ceiling. It must ascend to the surface, funneling air into the cave.