Page 71 of Wild Temple
I looked around for the black snake of death but didn't see it anywhere.
I took Caspian’s canteen and sealed it up, then grabbed Richard’s. It was damn near empty. I poured the last few drops out. He was closer to my size, so I took his shoes. Then, with a cautious eye, I approached the water’s edge. I knelt down and filled Richard’s canteen.
I’m not typically the superstitious type, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity. I pulled off the cramped boots and soaked my aching feet in the water. I didn’t see the snake. What could it hurt?
The cool water was refreshing.
I sat there for a moment, basking in it.
When I’d had my fill, I got up, dried my feet off, and tried on Richard’s boots. They felt pretty good. A damn sight better than the tiny boots I’d been wearing.
I gave Brooke a canteen of the sacred water. "Take this back to your mother. Who knows?”
She smiled, and her eyes misted. She gave me a hug and squeezed tight.
"We need to get moving," JD said. “There's a little daylight left. I say we push through the night."
I was in full agreement. I wanted to get back to Rex as soon as possible. There was a slim chance he was still alive. Unlikely, but possible.
We made our way back across the altar room and down the entrance hall to the chasm of doom. We all stared at it with trepidation. It was just as daunting as the first timewe had crossed. Only now, it seemed more ominous. So close to escaping Pura Jiva with the sacred water. I couldn't help but feel the temple had one last trick up its sleeve.
"Who’s first?" I asked.
Brooke said, "After you.”
I marched a few paces back, got a running start, then leapt into the air when I reached the ledge of the chasm.
Just like before, my foot touched down for an instant on the pillar, and I sprung into the air for the second leg of the journey.
I landed on the other side without incident and breathed a sigh of relief. But there were three more of us to go.
Caspian and his crew had left their backpacks on this side of the chasm. At least we would have tents, bedrolls, and a few supplies for the journey back. But the soldiers had taken most everything.
Hannah was the weakest of the bunch. Still thin and weary and maybe a tad bit dope sick, she stepped back from the chasm and prepared herself. She filled her lungs, then sprinted toward the edge. She leapt into the air and sprang off the column, and I caught her as she reached the other side.
She looked astonished that she made it a second time.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
Brooke was up next. She stepped back, composed herself,then made a mad dash. With a solid stride, she leapt into the air and touched a foot down on the center column.
That's when disaster struck.
The column cracked and fell away just as she attempted to spring across. Her momentum carried her forward, but she didn't have enough to land safely. She plummeted toward death, but managed to grasp the ledge at my feet before she fell away. Her panicked eyes looked up at me as her fingertips lost their grip.
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Isnatched Brooke's wrist and grabbed it tight before she fell into the abyss. Her wide, panicked eyes stared up at me as the color drained from her face. Her feet dangled precariously over the pit.
I pulled her to safety onto the ledge. She hugged me tight, exhaling a relieved breath. Her heart thumped against my chest.
We had one slight problem. Jack was stuck on the other side.
The center column had sheared away, leaving a sharp angle that was not conducive to getting a foothold. It would skewer you if you tried to make the jump now.
"I'm sorry, JD," Brooke shouted across the chasm to him.
