should we or shouldn't we

The group consisted of four—Seth, Idris, Charlene, and Issa. Idris led the way to the other side of the cave, guiding them to the whirlpool he had once discovered in his youth.

"When we were younger, Seth and I used to play in these caves. One day, we stumbled across this whirlpool," Idris explained, standing above the dark swirling pool of water. He nudged a few loose pebbles over the edge with his foot. "Plop." The pebbles were immediately pulled under.

"Well?" Idris asked, hands on his hips.

"Well what, Uncle Idris?" Charlene blinked, confused.

"Who's going in first?" he grinned.

Seth rolled his eyes. "Seriously, Idris? Bro, c'mon."

"What? It was your idea!"

Charlene stepped closer. "I did say I could see tunnels earlier... maybe I can see them again."

"Try now," Seth suggested, kneeling by the edge.

Charlene leaned forward, blinking slowly. Her eyes glowed faintly. "Yeah... I can see the tunnels. Several, actually. It's huge. I see a light at the end."

"Could be something... or nothing," Seth muttered. "Tunnels like this can be deceptive. They might lead nowhere or worse—collapse."

"Or lead to something incredible," Idris added with a shrug.

"We shouldn’t take chances without knowing more," Issa said, glancing between them. "Is there a way to see the tunnel fully before we go?"

Charlene snapped her fingers. "Like the maps Gigi showed me!"

"Housing the map in your eyes," Seth nodded. "That’s genius, Princess."

They worked together quickly. Seth touched his mark and his eyes began to glow brighter, projecting a translucent 3D image of the underwater tunnel system across the cave wall. Twists and turns spun in illuminated light, revealing a winding but navigable path.

"No obstructions," Seth noted. "No sharp turns. It’s tight in spots, but manageable."

"Let’s test it first," Charlene said.

Seth conjured a red orb, firm like a yoga ball. "Idris, drop this in when I say. Ready?"

"Holding it steady. Say the word," Idris said.

"Now!"

"Ploop!" The orb vanished beneath the surface. The group watched its trajectory on the projected image as it followed the tunnel’s curves and ejected from the other side into what looked like a river beyond.

"Yes!" Charlene clapped. "We’re good to go!"

Then—slip.

Idris’s boot lost traction on the algae-slick edge. His arms windmilled once. "Whoa—!"

"Idris!" Seth roared.

He hit the water hard and was immediately dragged under by the churning vortex. Charlene and Issa ran to the edge.

"Dad! Go!" Charlene shouted.

Seth didn’t hesitate. He dove headfirst into the whirlpool, vanishing.

Charlene and Issa looked at each other—uncertain, adrenaline humming.

"You ready?" she asked.

"Not even a little," he grinned, wide-eyed.

"Same. Let’s go!" She grabbed his hand, and together they jumped.

Everything turned into chaos. Water crashed over them, spun them, flung them forward. Charlene couldn’t tell which way was up—but then they broke the surface, racing through a tunnel on a roaring current. They were yelling, caught between panic and exhilaration.

"Seth! Idris!" Charlene called.

"I’m okay!" Seth’s voice echoed.

"I think I swallowed a fish!" Idris coughed.

"Just go with it!" Seth shouted over the roar. "Don’t fight it!"

Charlene threw up her hands. "Weee!"

Issa, wide-eyed, followed suit. "This is insane!"

The tunnel twisted again, and light broke through—a glowing mouth to the outside.

"Hold your breath!" Charlene warned. They shot out of the tunnel like cannonballs, soaring into the air.

Charlene acted fast, blinking and conjuring a large, sturdy paddle raft mid-air.

"Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud!" They all landed on it in a series of wet crashes.

"Grab a paddle and helmet!" she barked.

Everyone moved fast, stunned but excited.

"Princess, you’re brilliant," Seth laughed.

"Yeah," Issa agreed, catching Charlene’s eye. She looked back at him, water dripping from her lashes, her cheeks flushed.

"You okay?" she asked.

"Never better," he said, trying to steady his breathing. "That was wild."

"It’s not over yet," Seth grinned, taking position at the front. "We paddle now. Hard!"

The raft hit the first wave and bounced. Charlene threw herself into the rhythm. Issa followed her lead, mimicking her stroke. The spray from the rapids hit his face, but he was grinning.

"If this is life with you," he murmured to her over the roar, "count me in."

Charlene turned to him, blinking water from her eyes. She smiled—not coy, but deep. "Ten toes down?"

"All ten."

The raft surged forward. Whatever lay ahead, they’d face it together.