The cats walk down the dark tunnel in single file, with Lucinda and her lamp in the lead. Progress is slow as the floor becomes slippery in places, but there is a glimmer of light ahead.
They emerge into a giant cavern and, to their astonishment, find the base filled with an underground lake.
‘I believe there is a way out at the other side,’ says Nero. ‘We must plan a way to get everyone across.’
‘Is that safe?’ asks Princess. ‘Wouldn’t it be safer for them to wait where they were. It is a long way through those tunnels. Maybe we could attempt the crossing and raise the alarm.’
But after some discussion, they all agree. Even if they manage to get through to the resort or the Cataloupe 3 and raise the alert, the route they took is impassable at present, and there is also a constant danger of more mudslides, which would make it too hazardous for anyone to rescue them on foot from that direction.
‘What about a helicopter?’ suggests Lucinda. ‘My mother would insist that Bruno fly one over here to rescue us.’
‘I can’t see a helicopter being able to fly in to reach us in that location,’ says Nero. The terrain is too dangerous. We can’t get outside for more than a few steps. In any case, they can’t see us, and we have no mobile communication. Brango says his equipment is not working either.’
‘I think we should build a raft,’ says Lucinda.
Everyone stares at her.
‘Yes. Really,’ she says. ‘I spent a lot of time researching before we came on this trip to the mountains, and I know how to build a raft. But we need materials, and we need some more workers to collect them and to help us build it.’
‘If you are sure, Lucinda,’ says Nero. ‘I can’t see everyone swimming across. Certainly, the older members of the party would be more likely to drown than succeed, even with us helping them.’
Sirin has been gazing into the pool. ‘Look!’ she says, the furs on her tail spiking.
The images and videos were generated by AI from the author’s prompts.
