“You’re okay now, little guy,” she whispered. Tina gathered a bunch of leaves to make a warm, soft corner for the creatures to rest. One by one, more emerged from the well as James made trip after trip down the rope. Each time James ascended, his muscles straining, Tina’s nerves jangled. But thankfully the rope held fast. With each creature rescued, Tina felt a swell of relief.
After a tense and breathless half hour, James, with great effort, hoisted the last of the tiny creatures out of the dark pit. Laid out on the ground, the five animals blinked in the dim light, their eyes reflecting a mix of confusion and curiosity. The air was thick with tension as James and Tina pondered their next move.