Max looked around the old building. It had been abandoned some time ago by the looks of it. There were holes in the roof where the stone had fallen to the floor. The windows were so dusty that Max doubted they could ever be cleaned.

"No one's been here for years" Kai said. "It looks like someone made the mine shafr over there just like the guy said."

"Why did they make it again?"

"There was a rumor someone had found some jewels or something in the area when they were digging a grave for a dog. It's illegal to dig mine shafts around here for some reason, so they used this building for cover."

Max walked over to the edge of the shaft and looked down. Kai came to stand beside him. The shaft seemed to be a bottomless cavern.

"That is really deep" Max said.

"Maybe we should get out of here now," Kai suggested.

Max nodded. As they turned to leave a tremor shook the ground. Max lost his balance and fell.

"Kai!"

Max looked down and squeezed his eyes shut.

"Don't drop me, Kai."

"Hey you think I'd drop you? You're like a little brother to me, Max. I'm not going to let my little brother fall."

"Can you pull me back up?"

"I hope so. You're not too heavy."

As Kai began to pull Max out of the shaft another tremor shoo the ground. Kai yelled in pain.

"Kai! What happened?"

"Part of the roof caved in, Max. My leg… Max I can't pull you up…"

"Then just let me go."

"No! There's no way I could get out of here anyway. Maybe someone will come by."

"There's not a chance that might happen, is there, Kai?"

Max looked in Kai's eyes and was surprised to see tears spilling down his cheeks. "I'm sorry, Max, that I suggested coming here. I'm sorry I wasn't quick enough to get you out. I'm sorry for everything."

"Kai, don't worry. It's not your fault."

Another tremor shook the building. The floor surrounding the mine shaft began to crumble. Max felt himself falling, saw Kai falling with him, then everything went black.

"Max. Please wake up, Max."

Max groaned. His head ached and there was something sharp poking into his back. When he opened his eyes he saw Kai leaning over him.

"You're all right! Max you had me worried! Don't ever do that again!"

"Kai, how did we survive the fall?"

"I'm not entirely sure but before I black out I thought I saw a great big turtle."

"Draciel" Max smiled.

The smile faded from Max's face when he looked around. They were at the bottom of the mine shaft. Only a pale light from above lit the area. A tunnel led off under the ground.

"So we need to go that way?" Max asked

"I can't walk, Max. My leg's broken."

"We'll I'll help you. Put your arm over my shoulders and lean on me. Together we'll get out of here," Max smiled.

Max helped Kai stand. Kai gasped in pain and Max looked worriedly at his pale face. Leaning heavily on Max, Kai was able to walk, and together they began waling down the tunnel.

Max didn't know how long they had been walking. He was tired, and he could hear Kai breathing heavily.

"Let's rest for a bit," Max suggested

Kai nodded. Max helped him sit, then sat down beside him.

"Max why don't you just go on without me? I'm slowing you down."

"Oh so big brothers aren't allowed to abandon little brothers, but little brothers are required to abandon big brothers?"

"Exactly," Kai grinned.

"Well it's a good thing I'm not actually you little brother then," Max smiled cheerfully. "I get to stay with you."

Kai chuckled and shook his head. After a few more minutes they started off again. Just as Max began to loose hope, they saw a light ahead of them.

"Kai, were almost to the end!"

"Thank you Max. I can see that."

"We can get you to the hospital so they can hel you, Kai."

Kai smiled. "I love you ,little brother."

Max smiled back. "I love you too, big brother."

This was a story i found in an old notebook. I hope you enjoyed. R&R.