Treasure Hunt

"I said I don't like this," Dyson said.

"Yeah, I heard you the first time," said Larry.

"But it stinks in here," Dyson said.

"What a scaredy-cat," Larry snapped. "You can still see the entrance to the cave. We're going to find the treasure in here."

As the entrance faded into darkness, the boys turned on their flashlights. The lights reflected back from glistening wet walls, but didn't penetrate far into the dark belly of the cave.

"No! NO!", whimpered Dyson, as his flashlight started to flicker, and then failed. He turned to escape, but Larry grabbed him.

"You're not going back out," Larry commanded. "This light's got new batteries. We're going to find the treasure. You saw the map I found, showing a hidden treasure in here."

"Who knows where that stupid map came from," Dyson said. "It could be a trap."

"No excuses," Larry said. "We're going in."

The boys crept further into the narrowing cavern, up to a sharp turn.

"Let's not go around the turn," said Dyson. "No telling what's there."

"Probably the treasure," said Larry as he leaned forward to get a look.

"Yea!", Larry said. "An open treasure chest. Let's check it out."

Larry rushed forward; Dyson less enthusiastically. The chest was open. Something glittered from the bottom.

"I'm getting mine first," laughed Larry, as he reached into the chest.

With a loud crash, the chest top closed violently on Larry's hand. Screaming, he lurched backward, pulling his bruised hand out.

The boys turned and stumbled over each other, around the curve, and back out toward the exit. High pitched laughter added to their terror.

"That was almost too easy," Tamara said to Vicky, as the two girls emerged from the back of the cave. "Silly boys will believe just about anything."