Morgan walked over to the supply shed and handed out torches and ropes. Everything they could think of using was loaded into vehicles before they all headed off to follow Sid's directions.
When they passed his old house he commented. "Only about three hours of light left. It's going to be a cold night."
Chapter 10
There was a scratching sound in front of her and Stacey bit back a scream. She pulled her legs up and tucked them under herself in an effort to get as close to the wall as possible. The cold was seeping into her bones and she wished she had grabbed a cardigan before she went out. But the sun had been shining and it was a warm day.
Now the evening was setting in and the chill of the desert was taking its toll on her.
A scream left her mouth as tiny sharp feet ran over her foot. A sob escaped her mouth and she held her hands over her face, crying softly. The horror of being in the dark was getting to her.
If she tried to find her way out of the tunnels by feel alone she could end up falling into another shaft. As much as it pained her to think it, she was safer sitting where she was and waiting for him to come back for her. That was if he ever did.
He seemed deranged as well as slightly drunk. The bitterness he showed toward Morgan wasn't called for. The man had made his own decisions when he stole Sid's gold and had been dealt with accordingly. He had been let off lightly in her opinion but now she would gladly give it back to him if he would just come and let her out of this dark hell.
Hunger pangs gnawed at her stomach making it churn more than when she had vomited. Thirst made her lips dry and the smack in the face was throbbing. Tears fell and Stacey licked the moisture with her tongue hungry for more.
Leaning her head back on the wall she hugged her stomach wondering if she would die here and never give her baby a chance to see the world. She moved and lay her legs out in front of her, rubbing them to keep the circulation going. Numbness was setting in but she dared not risk standing and walking in the darkness.
Silence surrounded her except for the constant drip of water. If push came to shove she would have to try to find it without falling into another shaft. The chill crept up her body and goose bumps broke out on her arms. Rubbing her hands up and down her arms briskly Stacey tried to keep warm.
Realizing it was a useless attempt in the conditions she was in, she let her hands drop to her sides. Her swollen eyelids rested shut against the darkness and in her mind she prayed for a quick release. Nobody would find her here. Not without being led to this very spot.
* * *
"You have to call it a night Morgan." Ted was standing in front of him, the torchlight illuminating his face.
"I can't, I have to find her. It's getting cold man, can you imagine how she would feel stuck in some bloody cave in this weather. She will freeze overnight underground."
"The guys have to have a break. They can return fresh in the morning." Ted looked around at the men. "They want to keep going but Sid said it's too dangerous. There are too many shafts out there and if we lose someone, well..."
"I know what you are saying but I can't go back to the pub. Not with her out here somewhere alone."
"I understand that but you will be no good to her if you don't stop to eat. We can be here before first light." Morgan let himself be led to the vehicle where Sid was sitting in the front seat.
"Make sure you pick me up in the morning before you head out. There are another couple of places we can search. Send some men back here and go further around the back of the mine."
"Thanks Sid. Take him home please Ted. I'll leave in a minute."
Morgan stood and watched as the search team headed for town leaving him standing in the outback alone with nothing but the stars for company. He crouched down on the ground in front of the four wheel drive feeling the cold ground. Stacey was here somewhere, he just knew it. If he could find Mike first they might have a better idea of where she was but he seemed to be hanging low. Even calling the phone number Mike had called him from got no answer. He texted a message, promising the money was on the way and to keep her safe. Still he received no word.
Knowing he had to eat and sleep, he finally headed to the pub, guilt dogging every mile he covered. The thought of food made him queasy until Nigel pushed a big bowl of soup in front of him.
"Eat this and don't argue. I want that wee girl home safe and sound and you going down won't help her at all."
He sat and watched Morgan eat the bowl before speaking again.
"You know she is in love with you, don't you?"
"No, she hates me for what I did to her and I can't blame her. I promised to come back and when things went pear shaped at home with family problems I put us on the back burner. I could have called but I'm too bloody stupid to see what I had in front of me." He wiped his mouth and reached for the beer Jane placed in front of him. "Thanks. She is lucky she has people that care about her like you do."
"Yeah well, we're kind of family now. And it's what family does, look out for each other. Just
