The ground beneath her gave way. There was no warning and no chance to react.
One second she was running and the next, the earth simply disappeared beneath her.
A startled cry escaped her throat as she plunged downward. Dirt, stones, and tangled roots collapsed around her, following her into the darkness. She struck one side of the pit before bouncing off another, her small body tumbling helplessly through the collapsing earth until she finally crashed into the bottom hard enough to drive the breath from her lungs.
Pain exploded through her side.
For several moments she could do nothing except lie there, stunned and struggling to breathe.
Above her, the opening continued to collapse.
Loose soil poured inward, dragging branches, leaves, and debris with it until the hole became concealed beneath a tangled layer of earth and vegetation. What little light remained vanished almost completely.
Darkness settled around her and the storm outside became distant.
Muted.
