“What’s that?”

The smaller of the two boys put his hand to his forehead, masking the dying glow of the day’s torrid sunlight.

“What’s what” said the older boy as he sidled over to the edge of the quarry to meet the other boy.

“There” he pointed, his grubby arm from a day’s adventure extending downward through shadow to the floor below.

“Dunno, lets have a look”

The boys scrambled down the hill dislodging small rocks as they thundered down, trying to knock each other off balance, laughing as they made their way to the bottom.

Their smiles faded as they reached the floor. It was only a few feet away.

“It looks weird” said the small boy.

“just like you then” joked the other boy as he playfully punched his shoulder.

Tentatively they approached.

“I’m scared” said the small boy, “Let’s go”.

“No, here use this” said the older boy as he picked up a dead branch.

“No you do it”.

“Okay” said the older boy “I’m not chicken!”

Steeling himself, holding the branch at arms length, he aimed forward…and poked.