Matt froze. There was a sound – no, a hint of a sound, from up ahead. He flicked off his light and stayed motionless, holding his breath, remaining that way for many seconds, until his head started to pound. He eased out the air in his lungs, feeling the blackness fold around him. He suddenly remembered there were things that preferred the dark, and saw far better than he in its stygian deeps. He switched his light back on and looked up just as something large collided with him, ramming him up against the wall.

“Clear.” The pressure on his neck eased as Hartogg stepped back. “It’s our missing professor.”

An electric shock of fear had nearly caused Matt to black out, and he had to gulp to pull in air over a galloping heart. “Shit.” He coughed, and looking up saw Abrams and Andy standing back in the shadows. Their lights came back on as well. Abrams stepped up and grabbed him, one handed, lifting him slightly.

“Where the fuck have you been, Kearns, and where’s Senesh?” The man’s eyes were furious.

Matt felt his heartbeat ease – regardless of the fright they had given him, and Abrams’s fury, he was glad they were there. “I was coming up.”

Abrams let him go. “Where’re Senesh and Drummond? What have you found?”

Matt rubbed his neck. “I came back to get you – reinforcements. Adira went on to look for Drummond.” He remembered the facial fragment. “I think we found Tan–” he looked quickly at Andy, and changed course “– someone, or what was left of them.”

“What?” Andy’s face contorted. “Was it Tania? Did you see her?”

“No, no; I don’t think so.” It was only then that he realized that the geologist still held out hope that Tania was a hostage and not a willing participant in Drummond’s plan. Perhaps the fool even had feelings for her that had existed somewhere other than his groin. Matt shook his head, and looked to Abrams. The major understood exactly what Matt had meant.

He gripped Matt’s arm. “Well, Professor, we’re your reinforcements.” He gave Matt a push. “Show us where Captain Senesh went.”

Matt walked them back along the passageway that changed to a tunnel, and then to rough-hewn cave, and back again, until he found the large cathedral-like room with the altar. He waved them on, making sure to avoid the shard of human being on the floor. Matt saw that Hartogg spotted it, but didn’t mention it: instead the SEAL nodded his acknowledgement to Matt, and held his gun a little tighter.

“The smell; getting stronger,” Andy said. “The sinkhole in Iowa smelled a bit this way. But this is different too. Moldier. Stronger.”

“She went through there.” Matt pointed past the altar to the dark curved passageway behind it.

Hartogg moved quickly around the stone altar and leaned in. He slowly moved the barrel of his gun and light beam in and around the dark hole. He turned and held up his hand, Abrams nodded, and then the SEAL slipped in.