Cave of Terror Read Free Page A

grabbed it from her and stuck it in my mouth. Good thing it didn't have a wrapper.
    "Yeah, I'm sneaky like that.” She smiled and bit into hers. “Not to mention unbelievably sweet."
    "Whatever!” I busted out laughing. Mandy sweet? Not!
    "What? Can't you see my halo?” She mimed shining her make-believe halo.
    "Yeah. But, you better hide the horns that are poking through if you expect anyone to buy it."
    "Five minutes until the 10:00 o'clock tour. Please make your way to the far side of the building past the souvenir area. Stan will be your tour guide,” a voice said over the loud speaker.
    "That's us.” Mandy stood and extended her hand. “Come on.” She grabbed my wrist and pulled me up.
    "Yeah, yeah."
    We lined up at the door where we'd board the cable car that would take us deep into the cave. I took one more look around. No sign of the hot guy. Shiznit! But, I couldn't shake the feeling he lingered somewhere close. My stomach tightened and twisted at the thought.
    A man climbed into the cable car and announced, “My name is Stan, and I'll be your guide for the duration of the tour. When I start the car in motion, you'll feel a jerk, then we'll make our way into the cave."
    We lurched to a start, then slowly descended. The scent of fresh earth—and almonds—infiltrated my nose. Strange. I'd never noticed that smell in the cave before.
    "Did you put any of that almond smelling lotion on today?” I asked Mandy.
    She crinkled her nose. “Nope. Why?"
    "No reason. I thought I smelled it earlier—and then again just now."
    The light faded in increments as we moved farther into the cave until darkness prevailed. The brakes groaned as we shuddered to a stop, rattling my teeth and bones.
    As soon as I stood, an overwhelming dizziness overtook me. I swayed and had to sit again. I've had claustrophobic attacks before, but this wasn't the same feeling. It felt more like my senses were short circuiting. A high-pitched sound pierced my eardrums. Nausea welled inside my stomach. I clutched my middle and bent over. The sickly sweet smell intensified the roiling of my guts and I moaned.
    "Cheyenne? You okay?” Mandy sat back down next to me and put her hand on my shoulder.
    I took a deep breath and willed the queasiness away. “Yeah. I think I just stood up too quick and got woozy. I guess I should've taken the time to eat breakfast, not just a pure sugar sucker."
    "Come on, girls. You're holding up the group,” said my biology teacher, Mrs. Krammer.
    "We're coming,” I croaked.
    I swallowed several times, took another deep breath and then stood. Okay, I felt a little better.
    Mandy gave me one of her concerned looks. “You gonna make it?"
    "Yeah. I'm good. Let's go before Mrs. Krammer has a cow."
    Our group stopped in front of the chain that blocked further entrance into the cave.
    Sharp sounds continued to ricochet in my head. I reached up and rubbed my temples, my stomach churning.
    "You still look green,” Mandy whispered.
    "Thanks.” Great. I feel like crap, and I look like crap. At least I'm consistent.
    Stan gave his speech about how oil and dirt from our fingers would damage the formations in the cave. Like anyone had the urge to molest a formation. Whatever.
    "Remember, a strict no touching rule is in effect at all times. It's a Federal offense to take anything out of the cave, so there will be a full body cavity search at the end of the tour,” Stan said.
    Several people gasped, but no one laughed.
    I leaned over toward Mandy. “It's called a joke. Hello."
    She sighed. “I swear, our class is full of dorks."
    Stan raised his hands in front of him. “I'm just kidding."
    Then, everyone laughed.
    He unhooked one side of the chain and let us pass. “Make your way toward the square box and wait for me to catch up."
    Mandy and I stayed back and let the group move ahead so we could talk without getting reprimanded.
    Stan caught up and led us into a large opening referred to as the Introductory Room. “Almost