Jason

It smiled when it saw me see it.

We finally burst out of the slot into a wider section where the canyon opened enough that we weren't a single flash flood away from dying.

The rain eased to a drizzle.

My lungs burned.

My legs shook.

We stumbled to a halt on a slightly raised shelf of rock, too exhausted to go another step.

The voices stopped, just cut off.

Like someone had been playing them on speakers hidden in the canyon walls and yanked the plug.

For a long time, the only sound was the panting of five people and the hiss of rain on stone.

Is everyone here?

Erin said finally, her voice rough.

She held up a hand like a teacher taking roll.

I don't care how stupid this sounds.

Say your name out loud, one at a time.

Dylan?

Dylan gasped.

Becca?

matt jason i said my voice sounded wrong in my own ears smaller aaron she said last she looked around at us counting making sure the number matched the names she nodded once okay we're fine we're fine we were not fine but the lie was comforting

We found a flattish spot a few feet higher up and made camp there, more from necessity than choice.

No one wanted to walk any farther in the rain and failing light.