chapter 1

Brad came running into Aeryn's room without knocking. Aeryn had promise to take Brad on a hike with his two friends, Caleigh and Kristian. Even though Brad was a few years younger than Aeryn, Andrew and Kyle, the three boys didn't mind Brad tagging along. Brad was smart beyond his years. Brad was just thirteen years old, but he was more mature than most boys and girls his age. Brad even managed to help Aeryn's friend, Kristian, with algebra. Kristian would have failed algebra if it hadn't been for Brad tutoring him in algebra. Aeryn, Caleigh and Kristian thought it would be nice if Brad came along, sort of a thank you for all Brad's help in tutoring Kristian.

Aeryn, Caleigh, and Kristian decided to take a trip to the Kuna Caves near Kuna, Idaho. Aeryn wanted Brad to come along but his parents thought it might be too risky for Brad to join them. After some pleading from Aeryn and a promise to look out for his brother, Brad's parents relented and allowed Brad to join Aeryn and his friends. The four of them took off on their hike to the Kuna Caves.

“Aeryn, I can't wait to get there. I wonder what adventures await us there?” Brad asked, excited.

“Well, we'll see, Brad.” Aeryn replied.

“Hey, Brad, thank you for the help in algebra. I'm passing algebra thanks to your help.” Kristian told him.

“No problem, Kristian. I was glad to help.”

The four kids had arrived at the Kuna Caves and were in awe at the hole in the ground and the mile-long ladder going down into the caves. Aeryn went first, then Brad, so he could keep an eye on him, then Caleigh went next, followed by Kristian.

“How, that was kinda scary!” Brad exclaimed, once they were all safely at the bottom of the caves.

“I agree.” Caleigh said. “It was scary, but so fun.”

“Hey, look at the icicles!” Brad exclaimed. “But why are there icicles on the ground?”

“Oh, Brad, those aren't icicles!” Kristian told him. He was very proficient in geology. “Those are stalagmites on the floor, and stalactites on theceiling.”

“Stala...what?” Brad asked.

“Stalagmites and stalactites.” Kristian explained further.

“So, those are stalactites?” Brad pointed to the icicles on the floor.

“No, those are stalagmites.” Kristian corrected.

“How can you tell which is which?” Brad asked.

“Think of it this way. The “g” in stalagmites for ground, and the “c” in stalactites for ceiling.” Kristian further explained.

“Oh, thanks Kristian. That helps a lot.” Brad said, thankfully. “Boy, I helped you with algebra and you helped me with geology.”

“We make a great team, don't we?” Kristian agreed.

The four kids explored a little further into the dark depths of the cave with the flashlights that their parents had found for them. Hunger set in for them, so they all took a seat on some rocks for benches and ate the sack lunch that their parents lovingly made for them.

After they had gotten their fill from their sack lunches, they walk a little further before deciding it was time to turn around.

As they started back, they ran into a dark mysterious figure. They couldn't see who or what it was due to the glare from their flashights.

“Go, up on ahead!” The figure told them.

Scared and a little creeped out, the four chilldren ran on ahead til they came to the ladder that would allow them to escape that cave.

But they didn't get one foot up that ladder. The next thing Aeryn, Brad, Caleigh, and Kristian knew...they were all being by nets that they had somehow stepped into as they ran towards the ladder.