The Secret Cave

A fun getaway turns into something far more dangerous…

The wind moved the water. In turn, the water made the rock tremble beneath my bare feet. I’d been to many beaches before in my life. I walked on numerous nature hikes. But rarely did I go off the trail, the literal beaten paths put down by those that walked before me. I wasn’t adventurous like that. I wanted to keep things simple and basic. I was nearly thirty now. I saw twisted ankles and blisters in hikes like this, down off into rocky shores away from any regular visitors. I would never ever come to a place like this.

Not before I met her.

“Jada? Are you in here, Jada?”

The question was rhetorical. We both knew she came down this way, around the largest of the damp abraded rocks on this edge of the bay, away from where anyone else would tread. We had to be a mile from the main beach at least and the rocks meant no boats would come close. We were alone.

“Stop wasting time. Hurry up.”

The rocks curved as they entered the cave. I peered into nearly complete darkness, an endless night against the bright sky to my back.

I stepped down the slight incline. Loose black rocks shifted beneath my sneakers. I put my hand against the wall to steady myself and found it cool to the…