Pit Stop

An Alleycat Crew Short

Darkness pressed in around them.

“Okay,” Calynn muttered, voice echoing off stone walls. “I’m going to say it… this is your fault.”

Kash shifted, pulling her up so he could get his legs underneath himself.
“My fault? You’re the one who touched the glowing idol.”

“It looked pretty!”

“It was sitting on a pedestal surrounded by skeletons!”

“Well, excuse me for wanting a better look at it!”

The floor had vanished a few seconds earlier, dropping them into a narrow pit barely wide enough for two people to stand. Calynn’s back was against one wall, Kash’s chest against hers, both wedged tight.

She glared up at him through the dim glow of light coming through a crack in the wall.
“You could at least stop breathing in my hair.”

“Can’t. It’s the only air down here,” Kash said, trying—and failing—not to smirk.

“This isn’t funny.”

“Not until we die, no.”

Calynn’s eyes narrowed. “You know, for a supposed genius captain, your crisis-management skills are—”

A loud clunk echoed above them, followed by a rectangle of light. A man in khaki shorts and a polo shirt peered down through a trapdoor.

“Oh! Wow!” the man said brightly. “You two made it farther than anyone else this year! Hold tight—this trap was only built for one. I’ll have to ask if I can raise the floor!”

Calynn blinked. “Did he just say—?”

“Yep,” Kash sighed. “I thought it was a little tight down here.”

“Good thing we like each other,” Calynn quipped. “I wonder how close we were to the end?”

“Says the toucher of the idol.”

“Hey… I’m the one who solved the pressure-plate puzzle.”

“After triggering it.”

“Details,” she muttered.

“Hey, down there!” a woman called from above. “We can’t raise you up because you might get hurt since you’re wedged in there so tight.”

“What if she stands on my shoulders?” Kash asked.

“Am I an acrobat now?” Calynn shot back.

“You can balance yourself using the walls.”

“I’m not sure if we can do that,” the woman said hesitantly.

Kash grabbed Calynn by the waist and hoisted her up. She placed her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. The space was so cramped that it took them a minute, but Calynn managed to wiggle higher.

“Okay,” Calynn called to the employees above. “We’re ready.”

The floor started to move with a soft hum. It finally reached the surface, revealing the fake stone chamber and rows of curious onlookers behind a safety rail. A kid clapped. Someone took a picture.

Kash turned to Calynn, straight-faced. “We could’ve finished it.”

Calynn smirked. “You mean I could’ve finished it.”

He pointed at her. “That’s my line.”

The park attendant helped them out, still beaming. “Congratulations, Team Cat! You beat the Temple of Trials record!”

“Of course we did,” Calynn said dryly, brushing dust off her shirt. “We’re professionals.”

Kash nodded solemnly. “Next time, though—real traps.”

Calynn gave him a look. “Next time, we’re going to an arcade.”