Page 71 of Before the Night Falls

As they stared at the mountains, a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance, and Tyson noticed rain clouds moving in. In what seemed like only moments, the sky darkened ominously, and the wind picked up, bending the tops of the trees.

Tension stretched across his back. “That came up fast. We need to start back. We don’t want to be caught here if it rains. If this dirt turns to mud, it will be impossible to get back up this hill.”

“Then let’s go.”

They turned around, moving more quickly now. The first fat raindrops began to hit the canopy above them, occasionally making it through to splatter against his skin.

Halfway back, the sky opened up. Rain poured down, quickly soaking through their clothes. Lightning flashed in the distance, followed by the low growl of thunder.

Tyson paused and turned to Olivia “I don’t think we’re going to make it back before this gets worse. We need to find somewhere to take cover. I know a place. I think we can get there in time.”

The hike was already becoming harder as the dirt began its transition into mud. The breeze, once mild and pleasant, now had a chill to it. They needed to move quickly.

“We’re almost there,” Tyson called over his shoulder to Olivia. He had to raise his voice to be heard over the storm.

Finally, he spotted it.

A cave.

He tugged Olivia toward it, but she didn’t move.

He glanced back at her in confusion.

Terror stretched across her face. “I can’t go in there.”

Dark, confined spaces. He understood her fear.

But they didn’t have much choice right now.

“We’ll be okay.” Tyson tugged her hand.

“I can’t do it.” Olivia shook her head, still not moving.

He saw the panic wash through her gaze, and he had to make a split-second decision . . . especially as lightning pierced the sky and thunder shook the ground.

CHAPTERTHIRTY-SIX

Olivia stared at the cave,her heart racing out of control.

All she could think of was that root cellar.

Wouldn’t the cave feel the same? The earthen scent, the dark spaces, the cool depths?

She’d rather face the lightning than experience that kind of confinement again.

“Olivia, we have to get out of the rain,” Tyson murmured. “It’s not safe out here in the storm.”

Tyson’s hand was gentle but insistent as he urged her toward the cave.

Against her better judgment, she allowed Tyson to lead her to the mouth of the cave. He checked it first for any creatures and then stretched his arm out, inviting her to take his hand. “Come on.”

As Olivia stood at the entrance, she felt her world slipping away.

Memories flashed back to her . . . memories of darkness and tight spaces. Of captivity. Of helplessness.

A gust of wind suddenly swept around her, sending rain into her eyes. She nearly lost her balance.

Tyson used the opportunity to pull her inside and into his arms.