The hot July sun was high in the sky as the two children made their way down the steep grassy slope. A fourteen year-old boy led the way, skidding and stumbling as he shielded his eyes from the bright sun. Behind him followed a blond ten year-old girl, trying her best to keep her balance.

"Andy, are you sure it's safe?" asked the girl.

"It's fine, Julie! Don't be a scardy cat." the boy said as both children reached the bottom of the slope.

In front of them was a large old mine opening. Rotting timbers were piled off to one side and a large sign was posted by the mouth of the dark mine. Faded it with age, Julie could barely make out the writing on it: "DANGER! DO NOT ENTER!".

"Andy, that sign says it's dangerous to go in there!" Julie said.

"Aw, Julie! They just put that up to scare people. I've been in there lots of times." Andy said as he brushed back his sandy brown hair with his hand. "Come on. Let's go."

Julie bit her lip as she watched Andy turn on his flashlight and enter the mouth of the mine. He looked back and motioned for her to follow. Slowly, Julie entered the mine and turned on her flashlight.

"See? No problem." Andy said and he led Julie deeper into the mine.

The inside of the mine was dark and dusty. A musty smell tickled the noses of Andy and Julie as they made their way deeper into the mine. Julie could see the odd piece of broken equipment was lying by the side of a rusty set of tracks. The only sound the two children could hear was the echoing sounds of their footsteps.

"I guess you're right." Julie said as she moved closer to her brother. "It's not too bad."

Andy chuckled as he stopped and knelt down. He began to sift through the dirt carefully. He had found some pretty neat things here on his earlier escapades. Andy felt something metallic and he held it up in the beam on his flashlight. Andy smiled as he saw a tarnished buffalo head nickel.

"Hey Julie! Check it out!" Andy said. "Julie?"

Andy looked around and saw the Julie was nowhere in sight.

CRACK!

The sound of wood cracking and something heavy falling broke the silence of the musty air. Andy heard Julie scream and he dashed down the dusty mine shaft.

"Julie!" Andy called.

Andy rounded a corner and found Julie, pinned beneath an old support beam, crying and screaming. Near her lay her broken flashlight.

"Andy! Andy! Help me!" Julie cried. "My leg hurts real bad!"

Andy put his flashlight down and grabbed the piece of timber that pinned Julie. Andy grunted and tried in vain to move the beam, but it was way too heavy for him.

"Julie, hold on! I'll go for help!" Andy said.

"NO!" Julie cried. "Don't leave me! Don't take the flashlight!"

"Julie, I need it to find my way out! You're hurt bad! I'll be back. I promise!"

"Andy, I'll die if you leave me! Don't go!"

"I go to."

"Don't go! Don't leave me!"