It has been two years since Yamatai. Two years of nightmares and of being startled by suspicious sounds. Two years of throwing myself into my father's journal and his work. Two years of trying to understand. If something like Yamatai could exist, what other myths and legends had more truth than fiction? It keeps me busy, and being busy keeps me sane.

So does Sam. She keeps the terrors away at night, as I'm sure my presence does the same to hers. We've talked some, both of us reluctantly, and there's still so much left unsaid. I didn't want her to come with me on my mad quests, but she's a stubborn girl, and has her own mad quest to document everything I've found. Truthfully, I'm happy to have her around. As much as I fear for her safety, I know I can keep an eye on her. I know she's safe, if I can see her. It's selfish.

I fiddle with the camera mounted to my shoulder as I wade through knee deep water in a cave. It was my concession for making Sam stay at the camp while I explored this ruin. There are paintings over head, and I document several ancient altars. The sound of my own voice is strange to my ears, but I explain each find as best I can, trying to make things entertaining. I'm sure I'll bore people, but I trust Sam with the editing. She's brilliant that way.

As I pause to explain a sculpture, I notice the water has risen. It's been raining for some time now, and I shine my torch around, taking stock of the situation. I can't go back, it's downhill and water is now blocking the way I came. I find myself talking as I move deeper into the caverns.

"The water is rising faster than I anticipated. The entrance must be submerged by now, and I need to get higher."

I lift my head, unhooking the climbing axe at my belt as I spot a possible exit. It's not the one I had on Yamatai, but higher quality and without the memories associated with it. Still, as I grip it in my fingers, I remember the resistance of both stone, and bone. It feels exactly the same when I lodge it into the cave wall.

The water is up to my waist by now, and I start to climb. Sam says I have a second sense when it comes to scaling rocks. My muscles burn as I test a hand hold and haul myself into a crevice. Water splashes my face, and I can feel and hear the wind. There's an exit up ahead, and I climb towards it. I hazard a glance down and see the water is following me. I don't think this could just be the rain. Maybe the tide was coming in.

Above me is a sheer rock face. Desperately, I search for hand holds or places to use the axe, and my speed slows down dramatically. I'm still too far from the ledge to safely jump. I look at the water and how it's churning. I could wait and see if I could just float up, but there's no telling what kind of current could pull me down. I feel my gut clench up and my chest constrict, but I fight back the panic. Like so many times before, I push away the fear, and focus on the goal.

"Lara!"

Sam's voice is so unexpected and sudden, I nearly lose my grip on the wall. Light flashes in my eyes, and I can see Sam dangling off the ledge. She had put her camera on a harness as well. This must be a hell of a shot. "Sam? What the hell are you doing?"

"Saving your cute butt, sweetie!" Sam sounded exasperated. I could see her face in the light of my own torch, but her hair obscured most of it. In other circumstances I would have found it endearing.

I let the frustration into my voice. "I told you to stay at camp!"

She reaches down for me. "Just grab my hand! I've got you!"

It was still a leap. I looked at the water again, and at her outstretched hand. My eyes followed the lines of her arm, across her shoulders. It looked like she had a secure hold..

"Lara, hurry!"

"Hell…" I jump.