8 The Steam Caverns

CHAPTER 8

The Steam Caverns The next day the three remaining contestants arrived at the base of the volcano. The Spires led them to the Steam Caverns. These were caves formed inside the volcano by ancient lava flows. "To qualify for the final round, you must be the first through the Steam Caverns," said the Head Spire. "Good luck."

The contestants stepped into the mouth of the cave. Clara waited for her eyes to adjust to the darkness. Then she spotted three different paths—one to her left, one to her right, and one straight ahead. "I'll take the right," Gilbert said, and darted toward that tunnel, which had the most light. "I'll go left," Tublock said, and lumbered toward the tallest tunnel.

Clara stared at the middle tunnel. She wasted no time and dashed into the darkness. Once inside, she had to feel her way along the cold, jagged walls with her hands. Soon the cold gave way to warmth. The farther she walked, the hotter and brighter the tunnel became. The walls around her glowed. I must be near the heart of the volcano, she thought. Along the way Clara brushed several spiderwebs from her face as she pressed on in the unbearable heat. Then the tunnel narrowed. Clara started to crawl on her hands and knees along the craggy dried lava. Hot steam burned her cheeks. Finally she squeezed through the passage and could stand up again. In the distance, she spied an opening on the other side of the volcano.

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Clara gasped. The opening was guarded by a massive spider! She quickly looked for another way out. To her right a tunnel branched away from the spider.