They had been walking for hours, and the whole trip was turning into a total mess. The path had already narrowed twice, forcing them into a tight line, and they had passed five different caves without finding a single thing. Zander had completely stopped talking around the third cave. That was actually the worst part of the hike. When Zander was complaining and snapping, you at least knew what he was thinking. This sudden silence just meant he had completely checked out. He was just moving his feet, waiting for the whole thing to fall apart so he could look back and say he told them so.
Jöstr had stopped checking the map a long time ago. Looking at it just felt completely pointless by now. He was relying entirely on his gut. He had learned to trust that feeling over the years because it always managed to cut right through the doubt. He didn't need a piece of paper to tell him where to go when his own instincts were telling him they were finally getting closer.
"I have a feeling the next cave is the one," Jöstr said.
Zander stopped right there. He turned around and gave Jöstr a look that made it clear he was about one second away from heading back to the hotel alone.
"That's exactly what you said about the last five caves," Zander said. "I bet it doesn't even exist." "It exists," Jöstr said.
Zander stared at him, jaw clenched. He didn't push it any further. He just turned back around and started walking again, muttering under his breath.
