Faye's POV
"This will be the final one," I declared to Hardy, my gaze shifting toward the shadowy tunnel stretching behind him. Dense gray smoke had begun flooding the passageway, rolling forward in heavy, choking clouds. The flames themselves remained hidden from view, but the thick haze told me everything I needed to know about how rapidly the blaze was consuming the cave system.
"I'll return as quickly as possible," I said, my voice roughened by the bitter smoke burning my throat. This time, I didn't pause for Hardy's reply. We both understood that every second counted now.
