The Rope Slipped, So Did Her Heart

Peter disappeared into the blackness of the well, and with every second that passed, Hana’s heartbeat grew louder in her ears. The darkness below felt endless, swallowing every sound except the faint, careful shifts of rope against stone. Her hands clutched the rope tighter, slick with sweat, every muscle tense.

Then it happened. The rope jolted hard and began slipping through her fingers. Her stomach dropped. She’d thought the knot was strong. It wasn’t. Her grip failed, and the line shot down faster than she could stop it. Peter was too deep now. Her hands hovered over the edge, useless. All she could do was listen and hope.