Mortiferum Aqua (Part Two)

Andy covered his ears as the dynamite went off. Dirt rained down around him and he peeked around the boulders he hid behind. Cedric, his partner, slapped him on the back in celebration, a little too hard. He rubbed his sore shoulder as they both walked over to inspect their handy work.

“It looks like one more round should do the trick.” Cedric beamed. “That’s even better than last time!”

“Yeah, it looks like you are right. You ready to place the next batch?”

“I was born ready.” Cedric couldn’t contain his excitement.

They placed the explosives and wound the fuses. Andy click open his lighter and touched it to the string. The sizzle started immediately and both men ran for cover.

The boom reverberated through the valley and Andy eagerly went to the hole. He waved his hand to clear the smoke and gaped at the sight in front of him. The chasm they worked hard at creating was filling with water.

“We must have hit an underground reserve.” Cedric grunted in disappointment.

“This is just great. It will set us back days.” Andy growled.

The smoke continued to clear to reveal the disaster. Andy hung his head, wishing their work hadn’t just doubled.

“Hey, what’s that at the bottom?” Cedric pointed.

Andy took a closer look.

His eyes widened and panic raced up his spine. Without thinking, he raced down to the bottom of the hole. He splashed into the waste-deep water and scooped the unconscious girl into his arms. He waded out of the water and started to climb up the steep incline. His soaked boots made it difficult not to slip and he toppled to one knee. Pain radiated up his thigh and he gritted his teeth. Looking down, he checked to see if the fragile girl had stirred, but she hadn’t. He feared she might already be dead, but he kept climbing.