Outside the rift...
Ever since Ethan had gone in, everyone's nerves had been stretched tight.
No matter how much faith they had in him, this was still an unknown space. And unknown meant danger.
As the minutes ticked by, the worry on their faces only deepened.
"You don't think something really happened to him, do you?" Mia asked, her voice low.
"Relax," Skinny Pete said, trying to sound reassuring. "The rabbit's still alive. That means it's probably safe in there."
"Probably," Big Mike muttered. "But what if the rabbit just got lucky?"
The moment the words left his mouth, he realized his mistake. Everyone turned to glare at him like he'd just jinxed the whole mission.
Mike shrank back, lowering his head. "Right. Shutting up now."
Just then, the air in front of them rippled.
A second later, Ethan's figure popped into view—midair—falling fast toward the slope below.
"Shit—!"
