Seth’s breath came slow and measured as he wriggled forward, chest pressed to the cold, damp rock. The passage had narrowed to barely more than a body’s width, forcing him and Matthew to crawl on their bellies, the stone ceiling scraping their backs. The headlamp on his helmet flickered as he adjusted his position, illuminating the unrelenting walls boxing him in. He tried not to think about it. Tried not to notice how the air felt thinner down here.

“Almost through,” Matthew’s voice came from ahead, steady and confident. He moved with ease, a shadow shifting in the confined space.

Seth, on the other hand, struggled. Every inch forward felt like a battle against the earth itself. His palms pressed into the slick stone, fingers trembling slightly as he pulled himself along.

Then, Matthew’s voice broke the silence. “Hey, uh… don’t freak out.”

Seth froze. “What? Why?”

A pause. Then, in the most casual, amused tone possible, Matthew said, “You’ve got a big-ass spider on your shoulder.”

Seth didn’t think. He reacted.

“Get it off, get it off, get it off!” His voice pitched as he jerked, body twisting in the impossibly tight space. His helmet scraped against the ceiling, and his elbows slammed into the rock as he flailed.

“Whoa, whoa! You’re gonna wedge yourself in if you keep—” Matthew’s words dissolved into laughter.

Seth’s pulse pounded as he gasped for breath, unable to move properly, unable to escape. His skin crawled. Was it still on him? Was it moving? His whole body felt like it was covered in tiny legs.

“Matthew, I swear to God, get it off of me!”

Matthew chuckled, reaching back awkwardly. “Relax, princess. It’s just a cave spider. Probably friendly.”

“Probably?”

A quick swipe, and the creature was gone—though Seth still felt phantom legs skittering over his skin. He shuddered violently, pressing himself lower against the rock.

Matthew’s grin was audible. “Y’know, I don’t think I’ve ever heard your voice hit that octave before.”