The trail left by the falling vehicle reappeared, a tear in the earth, and a piece of unrecognizable metal. The ground began to level and they were able to hurry their descent, but only briefly before a second near-perpendicular drop again necessitated a detour. As they stopped to catch their breath, Dean noticed his rope was down to a single coil.

"Can you stand on your own here?" he asked, as Lydia remained pressed against him. He felt more than saw her shake her head no. She'd not spoken a word since they'd left the road. He steadied himself, pulling upright until he was sure of his footing. She made no effort to move away from him, but he pushed her slightly forward until she stumbled, and caught a branch as she let out a muffled scream. Her feet skidded out from under her and she spun around, clutching desperately to the limb, twisting into a sitting position and sliding until she was sitting before him. He could see tears streaking down her face in the glow of his light. He planted his feet and dropped the rope in an effort to help her up. She grabbed it frantically as he put his hands under her arms and pulled her to a standing position, her face only inches from his. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, hugging against him like a lost child.

"Look, I'm sorry I made you come down here. It was a mistake." She continued to hold onto him, sobs wracking her body. Dean tried to pull away but she wasn't letting go. "Here, tie the rope around your waist." He bent down and retrieved the line. Reaching around her, he knotted it securely about her waist before forcibly disengaging her. She sat down, clutching the line with both hands.

"Stay here," he said, knowing she had no intention of doing otherwise. With his hands free, he unfastened the larger flashlight and pointed it downward, trying to find a path level enough to search further, now absent the security of the totally expended rope. There was only open blackness. He tentatively moved forward, grasping a branch.

"Don't leave me!" Lydia croaked in a panicked whisper. Dean pulled his flashlight from his pocket, handed it to her, and turned away. He could still hear her stifled sobs as he cautiously moved down the slope, wedging his foot against rocks and small vegetation for purchase. He knew the river lay far below and they'd negotiated less than half the distance. Without rope, he'd never make it all the way, but he'd go as far as he could. Cynthia's admonition to be careful echoed in his ears-but someone might be down there. He knew she'd understand.

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