Running Scared by Gloria Skurzynski Read Free Book Online Page B

they bumped into a formation, or worse, tripped and tried to catch themselves by reaching out, they could damage these amazing natural sculptures. Though it had taken the stalagmites and stalactites tens of thousands of years to form, a single misstep could destroy them.
    â€œSam can’t have gotten very far,” Ashley was saying. “It’s as dark in here for him as it is for us, so he can’t see any better than we can. And anyway, his legs are shorter.”
    â€œBut we’re not sure how much of a head start he got,” Jack reminded her. “So don’t blame me if—”
    â€œWho said I was blaming you?” Ashley snapped, stopping in her tracks.
    â€œI mean, it wasn’t all my fault—you could have been keeping a watch on him, too.”
    â€œYou’re the one who yelled at him and made him run away,” she argued. “Anyway, he’s always hanging on to you. He hardly even talks to me, so why should I take the blame if Sammy disappears in here and they have to call out a search party….” Her voice trailed off as both of them realized how bad things could actually get. “Anyway, we shouldn’t panic. He can’t be far.”
    â€œMaybe we should start calling him,” Jack suggested.
    â€œIf we do, the rangers will hear us, and we’ll get in trouble for leaving the group. I just want to get Sam and get back before anyone knows we’re gone. Then none of us will be in trouble.” She hesitated before asking, “Do you think Consuela’s going to be OK?”
    â€œI…I don’t know. I think so. I hope so.”
    â€œDo you think she’s on drugs like Sam said?”
    Jack shrugged. “She was acting funny before she passed out, but I’ve never been around anyone who was high. It’s possible she was sick with a fever or something.”
    â€œExcept she didn’t look sick to me. Just…weird. And all that stuff she was saying with her words backward and stuff….” Ashley sighed as Jack held up the lantern. The yellow light showed her forehead furrowed, a sure sign she was worried. “I really feel bad that I didn’t believe Sam,” she told Jack. “I bet that’s why he ran off.”
    â€œWe’ll apologize when we find him. But we’d better move it or we’ll never catch up to him.”
    They hurried on in silence, following the path as it narrowed, twisting back and forth as it pierced deep into the cave’s belly. Minutes crawled by, how many Jack wasn’t sure, and yet there was still no sign of Sam. They were going far—too far—although logic told Jack they had to be closing in on Sam. Jack’s footsteps were muffled by the soft earth as he kicked up small clouds of cave dust that drifted and then settled back onto the sculpted stone. They rounded another bend and saw more ghostly figures, gray and lifeless, stalagmite arms outstretched as if to grab them as they walked by. Glancing behind, he could no longer make out the soft glow of the group’s lanterns. There was nothing but inky blackness to his side, in front, everywhere he could see. How far had they gone? It was so hard to judge distance when there was nothing but darkness surrounding them. His heart sank as he realized they’d gone dangerously far inside the cave. What if Sam had veered off onto a side trail? What if he was hurt? How could they find someone if the person didn’t want to be found? No, they would have to go back. Consuela had probably been treated and taken away by now, and the group might even be looking for them. It was time to quit trying.
    Stopping next to a pillar that looked like a tall, frosted cake, he set his lantern down. “Ashley, we’ve gone as far as we can. We have to stop—” he began.
    â€œNo, wait! I think I’ve found something!” Ashley cried, grabbing the lantern. “Is that a footprint in the dirt next