THE LIVING DEAD GIRL [2]

The witch doctor unleashed a stream of words, nodding and pointing to emphasize what he was saying. Purna nodded back at him. 'I think this is it,' she muttered to Sam.

Sam shrugged off his backpack and delved inside, grateful that he'd heeded Mowen's advice to bring plenty of water. Finding a full-liter bottle, he unscrewed the cap, gulped several mouthfuls, and poured some over his head. He was almost surprised when the water didn't sizzle and evaporate on contact with his skin.

'Don't waste it,' said Purna. 'We've got the return journey to make yet, remember.'

'Yeah, I was thinking about that, and I figure I might catch the bus back,' said Sam.

Koritoia-Ope waited patiently while Sam and Purna rehydrated. Purna offered him the water bottle, but he simply looked at it with a mixture of suspicion, perplexity, and contempt before shaking his head. Certainly, he didn't seem to be affected by the heat; his skin appeared as dry and leathery now as when they had started out. Walking up to the boulder plugging the cave entrance, he made a pushing gesture with his hands.

'Great,' said Sam. 'Manual labour. Just what we need.'

'If you don't stop moaning, I may be forced to break your nose,' Purna said mildly.

Sam laughed. 'Man, I bet you are one high-maintenance chick.'

'You better believe it.'

Shrugging off their backpacks and laying their guns carefully on top of them, Sam and Purna walked forward and placed their hands on the boulder. Once again, the witch doctor made a pushing gesture.

'I think we get the general idea,' muttered Purna.

Gritting their teeth, Sam and Purna pushed as hard as they could. At first, the rock seemed immovable, but eventually, it shifted a little before settling again.

'I think we need to rock it,' Purna said.

'I been rocking it all my life,' replied Sam.

They tried again, coordinating their movements, giving the boulder a series of shoves rather than trying to shift it with one sustained effort. Sure enough, after ten seconds or so, the boulder began to rock backward and forward, just a little at first, and then more and more as it gained momentum. Finally, faces sheened with sweat, Purna said, 'One more big one… Now!'

The two of them grunted and heaved, and the rock rolled aside before toppling over with a crash.

Released from the cave, a wave of air rolled out and over them, and although they welcomed its chilliness, Purna and Sam wrinkled their noses at its fetid odor. They turned to the witch doctor, who was chattering excitedly.

Purna pointed at the dark cave opening. 'We can go in?' she asked.

Even though they were unsure whether Koritoia-Ope had understood the question, they took his answering nod as confirmation. Retrieving their guns and backpacks, they ventured inside, Sam first, Purna just behind him, and the witch doctor bringing up the rear.