Coming Down Fast But Don't Let Me Break You

“Wwwwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh”

Monica shrieked as she and Robert Ravers were dropped onto a sloping rock, sliding down the hard, jagged stone, bouncing along with every bump. The slope spiralled down, causing the pair to bounce off the sides of the impromptu helter-skelter ride. She was spun around at such a frightening speed that she began to feel sick until finally, seconds later, the sloped rock deposited her into a dim cavern below, launching her into the opposite wall. Or at least it would have, had Robert not been in front of her and cushioned her landing while also taking the brunt of the damage from the stone.

“Oh, Robert, I’m so sorry,” Monica apologised as she staggered backwards, slightly dizzy. “I couldn’t stop myself.”

“It’s alright, Mon, no harm done,” he replied magnanimously as he peeled himself off the wall and dusted off his shirt and pants. “Well, no lasting harm anyway.”

“I hope Victoria didn’t come this way,” Monica said, using the shaft of dimming evening light from the fissure above to look around. “She could have been seriously injured in that fall.”

“Well, there’s nothing here to indicate that she did,” Robert admitted, looking around as well. “But, I find it curious that there were so many markings and disturbances topside leading to this hole. Something rolled off the main path and fell down here, but it’s not here now.”

“Let me get the flashlight,” Monica said, stepping behind Robert and unzipping the rucksack. “If she did fall down here, perhaps she was unhurt, or at least able to move, and went looking for a way out.”

“Good idea,” Robert agreed, glancing over his shoulder as the dark-haired doctor rummaged through the supplies. “Either way, we’ll need to find a way out anyhow.”

“Yes, but let’s hope that we find the girl,” Monica insisted, finally finding the torch among the other belongings in the backpack. Pushing the switch, the light flickered to life, illuminating the hidden parts of the room and an opening into another room beside it. “There’s still a chance we might find her.”

“It’s possible…but…” Robert frowned at needing to be the voice of cynicism as Monica handed him the torch and zipped up his bag. “If she did go wandering in these caves, it may take the rangers to find her. Hopefully, she’s somewhere near the entrance with Zack and Heather.”

“Oh.” Monica replied sadly. But she told herself not to give up, motivating herself to keep the search going while they still had some hope. “Well, we should at least do a cursory check of the cave nearby. There may be other hints or clues to her whereabouts.

Robert smiled at Monica’s optimism, leading her from the cavern they were in, to the next room, a much wider, box of a cave. Casting the light around like a lighthouse beacon, he saw no sign of Victoria or anything to suggest she had been there. With one hand on the wall and the other lighting the way before them, he led Monica around to the next opening, knowing that she was right behind him by the warm hand she rested upon his shoulder.

The next room was smaller, more rectangular in shape and only had the single exit, a gap in the opposite wall from where they entered. However, this room also bore a clue. Robert noticed it immediately as soon as they passed through the opening, the white cloth reflecting brightly against the light of the torch. Monica gasped, elated, and knelt to pick it up.

“This…feels like a bandage,” Monica remarked, rubbing the material between her fingers. “Does that mean she was injured and someone already found her?”

Robert scratched his head, trying to make sense of the new find. “I…guess so? If someone did find her, I suppose they may have taken her to the hospital. A hiker or spelunker may have already had bandages on them for emergencies. But…”

“You’re thinking the same as me, right?” Monica said nervously. “That the only reason someone would take her to a hospital and not back to the cabin is if she was **** and unable to tell the person she was staying nearby.”

“Yes,” Robert confessed. “That is the possibility that I was considering.”

“Which means I need to get back to the hospital and check for new arrivals,” Monica declared, and made a beeline for the opening on the other side.

“Wait,” Robert grabbed her wrist and pulled her back. “While we’re alone, I want to talk with you about…something.”

Monica bit her lip, guessing what the conversation might be about. “Can’t it wait, Robert? A girl’s life may be at stake.”

“I understand, Mon, but it’s been a long time since I’ve been alone with you and I may not get the chance again,” He said, setting down the flashlight and taking her upper arms in both hands. “I want you to know that I want you.”

“Robert…We’ve already been down this road. We had our fun and in the end we both decided to part ways before we did any real damage to our families.” Monica reminded him, but the slight quiver in her voice betrayed that she wasn’t utterly convinced herself.

“When we were younger, when they were younger,” Robert argued. “Can you honestly say that you never thought of me before now? Before that moment in the room?”

“Of course, I did. I fantasized about the very possibility of this the instant that I heard you were here at the cabin,” Monica confessed, placing her hands against his chest, telling herself that it was to keep him away but enjoying the feeling of his strong muscles through his shirt. “But that’s where it must remain, Robert. You’re…you and I’m with Gregory.”

“Fuck ‘em. When you’re around, I can’t get you out of my fucking head.” Robert leaned in close, whispering his words against her lips. “Just tell me you don’t feel something as well and I’ll let you go. Something more than fantasy and nostalgia. Tell me you’re not drawn to me like I’m drawn to you…and I’ll never speak another word to you about this for as long as I live.”