The Secret of the Dark by Barbara Steiner Page B

That’s easy. Do you really like being in here?”
    â€œYeah. I like exploring better. I’m so used to being in this cave, it’s not a question of like or dislike. Sometimes I get bored with tourists. But there’s big money for anyone who has a good cave. My daddy and I keep looking for a really big one. We’d get rich in a hurry.”
    It was hard to think of a cave as a way of making money. Suddenly I wanted to go back outside — into the sunshine — almost like I needed to make sure it was still there. I quickly followed the lighted pathway and practically ran up the stairs while Rick turned off the lights.
    He unlocked the door and followed me outside. “City girl,” he accused. “Nothing like that in New York, I’ll bet.”
    â€œNot unless you want to run around in the sewers, which I don’t do. And the subways aren’t that dark, even at night. I’m not very adventurous,” I added.
    â€œTime for you to change.” He handed me a Coke he’d brought from the store. “Go into the big cave with me tomorrow.”
    â€œI have to go to town for groceries.” Holding the Coke gave me a chill since I hadn’t warmed up from being underground. “And I can’t leave Granny alone, remember?”
    â€œWhat day then?” He wouldn’t give up the idea of getting me into the wilder cave to explore.
    â€œI might be too scared.” I could lie about my previous social life, but I might as well be honest about my sense of adventure.
    â€œI’ll take care of you. Don’t you trust me? There are parts of the big cave that I know like my own house. We’ll stay in those. I won’t make you explore, even if that’s what I like to do best.”
    â€œLet me think about it.” The sun felt so good. Why would anyone go into such a cold, damp, and scary place?
    â€œI’ll call you.”
    â€œOkay. But please say it’s you immediately. Someone has been playing jokes on us with the phone. Kids, I guess.” I told Rick about the funny phone calls.
    â€œBeware of the dark? Yeah, sounds like kids. The dark isn’t dangerous. But who you’re with might be.” He was flirting again.
    I flirted back. “Maybe that’s what scares me.” I had to look away first. I tipped the Coke can and finished it. Then I stood up. “I have to get back before Fleecy leaves. Thanks for the tour.”
    â€œAny time. I’ll promise a more spectacular trip next time.”
    â€œKeep telling me that. Maybe I’ll give in.” I left the shirt and the can and him sitting there on the front steps. I could feel his eyes following me down the trail, and I wanted to run, even knowing that would be silly. Finally I turned back and waved. He waved back.
    I had started up the mountain again when I decided he’d followed me. I stopped to listen. Looked back. All around. I swore I’d heard the crunch of footsteps behind me. “Rick. Is that you?” No answer. “This isn’t funny anymore.” No answer.
    I moved as quickly and quietly as possible, my heart pounding up in my throat, making it difficult to breathe. Then I stopped abruptly. Could my steps echo? All I could hear was my heavy breathing. You’re getting paranoid, Valerie , I scolded. I thought of the horror movies Pam and I had loved. Every time someone was alone, the creature appeared. I’d felt safe, huddling in the dark theater, clutching Pam’s sweaty hand. Scared but safe. Now I felt scared but not safe. I really was alone. Very much alone.
    â€œRick,” I called out again, partly to break the silence.
    It was the day’s events. The phone call, then the darkness of the cave, and Rick’s joke. Plus this silent, silent world.
    What cheer? What cheer? What cheer? The bird call was welcome and made things seem more normal. I went on. But I’d never known a mile to be so far.
    Even though