Excerpt
It was bad enough that they were lost in the cave, but now they froze at the thought of what else might
be here with them. Yelda crouched down so they could both peer around the wall. Th e dim fl ickering of
the approaching light made the dull shapes in the cave glint, creating a fantastic landscape.
Th e source of the shimmering light continued to fl icker. Th e closer it came, the more frightening the
shadows became. Yelda and Ahmet held their breath.
“Can you see what it is?” Yelda mouthed in Ahmet’s ear. She sensed her brother draw in a breath to
speak, and in her rising panic, she put her hand over his mouth.
“Wha mmm uhmmm.”
“Do not call out,” she implored.
Ahmet exhaled, and they crouched down to hide. Th e light was followed by a shadow that appeared in
the glowing refl ection on the lake. Th ey waited for their monster to appear.
As the light grew brighter, the features of the cave became more distinct. Th e walls were lined with
recesses. Th ey looked almost man-made. Th ere were objects in the niches. Colors began to emerge. Light
glinted off objects that looked golden. Sparks winked from other surfaces.
“Th is place is some sort of treasure trove,” Yelda whispered. Her attention was drawn away from the
monster for an instant. Ahmet did not answer. His attention was riveted on the approaching light as
a fi gure began to emerge. It was humanoid but had an enormous lump on its back. It grunted as it
approached. Yelda and Ahmet shrank back. Th is fi gure didn’t look like it was going to be their savior.