Wind swept through the narrow canyon with a howl like a banshee, a sound made only more terrifying by the moonless, night sky overhead. There were a few stars twinkling faintly, but otherwise not a speck of light to be had. Well, except for Sal’s lantern.
The small lamp cast an orange glow on the canyon walls, walls that stood so close together he could barely stretch his arms out to the sides. Night in the desert was cold, and that relentless wind only worsened matters.
Sal scrambled over the rocky ground, panting with exhaustion. The lantern swung like a pendulum on its metal ring, the flames dancing and nearly winking out more than once. He tripped on a rock.
Falling onto his knees deliberately, Sal held hard to the lantern. He managed to keep his grip on it, though the hot glass sma
