Back Great and Precious Things
Chapters (33)
  1. Dedication
  2. Chapter One
  3. Chapter Two
  4. Chapter Three
  5. Chapter Four
  6. Chapter Five
  7. Chapter Six
  8. Chapter Seven
  9. Chapter Eight
  10. Chapter Nine
  11. Chapter Ten
  12. Chapter Eleven
  13. Chapter Twelve
  14. Chapter Thirteen
  15. Chapter Fourteen
  16. Chapter Fifteen
  17. Chapter Sixteen
  18. Chapter Seventeen
  19. Chapter Eighteen
  20. Chapter Nineteen
  21. Chapter Twenty
  22. Chapter Twenty-One
  23. Chapter Twenty-Two
  24. Chapter Twenty-Three
  25. Chapter Twenty-Four
  26. Chapter Twenty-Five
  27. Chapter Twenty-Six
  28. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  29. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  30. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  31. Acknowledgments
  32. Acknowledgments
  33. About the Author

“I can find her,” Art said as he walked into the trailer with Walt and Nikki at his heels.

“Dad, not now,” Xander said gently.

“Tim, get ten search parties of five together if you can. That’s how many hard hats and lamps we have on hand.” Cam looked at the police captain. “Now, Tim!”

Tim nodded and left.

“I can find her!” Art declared again.

“Dad, what do you mean?” Cam asked, moving Travis out of the way so Art could come closer.

“No one knows that mine like I do. I think I know where she is.” Art looked at the blueprints. “It’s not on the map. Not this one, at least.”

“Dad, we don’t have time for this. Why don’t you go with Nikki?” Xander urged.

Art ignored him and pointed to the blueprints. “It should be right there. I know I’ve seen it there on another set.” His forehead puckered. “It’s where the 1880s meets the 1930s.”

“Dad, those tunnels don’t intersect,” Xander argued.

“Be quiet. You never wanted to listen to me about the mine when you were younger. I don’t know why you’d start now.” He swiveled to look at Cam. “I can find her. Take me.”

“No way!” Xander shouted.

“Take me,” Art demanded, not even bothering to look at Xander.

“You know what putting him under emotional strain does! He’ll lose it down there, and then you’ll both die.” Xander folded his arms across his chest.

“Camden, I’m her best hope. There are only four people who have been there.” His brow wrinkled. “Five, when you count Willow.”

Me. Xander. Charity. Cam. Who was the fifth?

“I’ll go,” I said, already moving to grab my hard hat and Cam’s.

“You’re terrified of the mine,” Charity countered, tears silently running down her face.

“I’m the one who fell down it in the first place,” I told her. “Cam and I are the only ones who have actually been there.”

“I’ve been there, too. That’s what I’m saying,” Art interjected.

“Right. And Art.” Which made sense, seeing as he was the expert on the damned mine. “Charity, you have to stay here in case another party brings her back, in case they find her before we do.”

“Are you sure, Pika?” Cam asked.

“I’m sure.” I handed his hard hat to him, then put mine on the desk and began to braid my hair.

“Take me, Cam. I’m the best chance you have at finding that little girl alive.” Art moved directly in front of Cam.

“You can’t even be sure Rose can find that ventilation shaft! If you couldn’t find it again, then how can she? It was a miracle you stumbled onto Willow back then!” Xander argued.