Page 1 of Silent Past

PROLOGUE

Kelly Bishop adjusted the strap of her heavy backpack, its weight pressing into her shoulders as she squinted at the opening of the cave below her. She’d convinced herself that the unseasonably cold October air in Coldwater County was a good omen—a sign the conditions in this hidden cave system, nestled deep in Utah’s Wasatch Range, would be ideal for exploration. Now, staring into the gaping mouth of the rock formation she and Mike Ramirez had driven hours to reach, she wasn’t so sure.

Mike, her friend and fellow amateur spelunker, stood beside her, adjusting his headlamp. His easy grin never seemed to falter, even when he was tired or nervous, a trait Kelly had come to admire and envy in equal measure.

He caught her eye and grinned again. “You ready, Bishop? Or you wanna stand here and overthink it some more?”

Kelly rolled her eyes, but she smiled. “I was just deciding if I wanted to let you go first, Ramirez. You know, so you can scare away all the bears.”

“Bears don’t hibernate in caves this deep,” Mike said, wagging a finger. “And anyway, you’re the fearless leader. I’m just here to carry your snacks.”

Kelly gave him a gentle shove as she stepped forward, her boots crunching against frost-rimed gravel. The air near the cave entrance felt colder than she’d expected, the chill biting through her thick fleece. She switched on her headlamp, its beam slicing into the darkened interior. The walls, slick with moisture, glistened faintly as she examined the drop ahead of them.

“We’ll need the rope here,” she said, kneeling to secure their line to a sturdy rock outcropping. The descent wasn’t far—maybe twenty feet—but the walls were slick and uneven, making a rappel the safest option.

She drove an anchor into a crack in the rock, then tied a rope to it. She tugged on the rope to test the anchor before standing. “All set.”

Mike smirked. “Ladies first, Bishop. I insist.”

Kelly rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her grin as she clipped into the rope and started her descent. The rope felt reassuringly solid in her hands as she lowered herself down, her headlamp illuminating the narrow walls. When her boots touched the ground, she called up, “All clear! Your turn.”

Mike followed with practiced ease, landing beside her moments later. “Not bad for a warm-up,” he said, unhooking himself. They left the rope tied off, ready for the climb back up when they were done. “This place better live up to the hype,” he said. “I canceled a perfectly good date night to be here.”

Kelly chuckled. “Oh, please. You canceled a video game marathon. Don’t act like you had real plans.”

Mike’s laughter bounced off the stone walls, the sound filling the confined space. “Busted. But seriously, you owe me a good story to make up for it. Think there’s a hidden treasure in here?”

“Maybe,” Kelly said. “But I’m more interested in those underground lakes people keep talking about. If we can find one, the pictures alone will be worth the trip.”

Photography had always been Kelly’s passion. She loved capturing moments and landscapes others might overlook. It was her way of holding onto something tangible, something that wouldn’t fade away with time. That drive had led her to spelunking, a hobby that often pushed her beyond her comfort zone.

She’d started exploring caves a year ago after a chance meeting with Mike at a photography exhibit. His enthusiasm for adventure had been infectious, and she’d found herself agreeing to tag along on one of his expeditions. Now, she couldn’t imagine life without these adrenaline-fueled excursions.

They moved deeper into the cave, the temperature dropping with each step. Kelly’s breath puffed in front of her like smoke, and she felt the damp chill creeping into her gloves. The walls seemed to close in, the passage narrowing into a jagged tunnel. They had to crouch to pass through.

“How’s it looking up there?” Mike called.

“Looks like it opens up ahead,” Kelly replied. She was relieved when the tunnel widened into a cavern, its ceiling arching high above them. Stalactites dripped water into shallow pools scattered across the floor, the sound rhythmic and oddly soothing.

Mike whistled, his voice reverberating. “Now that’s what I’m talking about. This place is amazing.”

Kelly’s lips curved into a smile as she reached for her camera, her fingers fumbling with the strap around her neck. The soft click of the shutter blended with the dripping water as she took a few shots. She turned, framing Mike in the beam of her headlamp as he examined the formations.

“Hold still,” she said. “This lighting is perfect.”

“Should I pose?” he asked, striking a mock heroic stance.

Kelly snorted. “You’re impossible.”

As they continued through the cavern, the air grew colder and the sound of dripping water ceased. Their breaths fogged in the dim light. Kelly’s unease, which she’d managed to suppress, began to resurface. There was something about this place that felt…off. The silence was oppressive, as though the cave itself were holding its breath.

Mike must have sensed her tension because he said, “You okay?”

“Yeah,” Kelly said quickly. “Just…thinking about how deep we are. It’s a little eerie.”

“Eerie?” Mike grinned. “You’re not scared, are you?”

“No,” she said, too forcefully. “I just have a healthy respect for enclosed spaces.”

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