Eleven
TEARS STUNGCassie’s eyes.Please stop letting my fears run awaywith me. Releasing a pent-up breath, she turned her attention back to Joel.
Footsteps clamored on the floorboards overhead at the far end of the cellar.
“The guys must be back.”
A footstep settled over her head, and dirt sifted down on her nose. Someone was in the kitchen. “Joel! Cassie! You guys around?” Scott called.
They exchanged a glance that held more than she had believed it still could, then Joel cast his gaze toward the stairwell. “Yep. Be right up.”
“I found them,” Scott yelled, his steps moving for the hall, his voice fading.
Creak.Creaakk.
She turned to the sound emanating behind her. “That sounded like it was down here.” A tremble wiggled through her limbs.
Joel swished his flashlight across the dark abyss surrounding them. The creak softened and ceased. “Old buildings make noise.”
“Right.” She forced a smile.
“You were saying something?” Anticipation held in his gorgeous eyes.
“Uh...” She cleared her throat, cast her gaze to her feet and then back on him. “I...”
“Are you guys coming?” Kendra called as the light emanated in a shaft down the stairs. Her footsteps followed, the shaft growing wider as she creaked her way down the rickety stairs.
“Yeah, we’re—” Cassie began.
Kendra’s light blinded her, and she held up her hand.
“We need you.”
“We’ll be right there.” Joel’s hand rested on the radio. He reached back and unplugged it.
Kendra’s light followed his movement. “Is that a radio?”
“Yeah.” Cassie lowered her hand now that a glaring light wasn’t in her eyes.
“Awesome.” Kendra stepped forward. “Did you try it?”
“Not yet. We were about to when you came down.”
“You might need to wait.”
Joel frowned. “What could be more important than trying to get help?”
“Brady’s missing.”
Joel’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean ‘missing’?”
“I mean he hasn’t come back in.”
“Wasn’t Heath with him?”
Kendra huffed. “Just come upstairs so you can ask for yourself.”
Joel tucked the radio under his arm and gestured for the ladies to head up first.
