at the mouth of the cave

The darkness here is blacker than black.

I blindly scrabble around in my backpack for a torch and come up empty.

Ugh!

I hate Peter! Is this his joke of a hiking trip? Where on earth is he anyway?

Slowly, ever so slowly, I bring up a hand to feel around. At first, I touch empty air. But then, my hand comes in contact with something solid.

What the...?

I can feel some gaps... this is so odd...

Something slashes through the air by my right ear.

I hear a scream.

And then I am falling.

Floating.

Sinking.

Tasting death.