Marie was like Camille--death didn't frighten her, only the chance not to fight. She, like Camille, would not have wanted anyone to grieve if she died fighting. She fought because something in her heart demanded it, and that I easily understood.

There is something primal about being utterly alone in a secluded spot outdoors that tugs at my deepest sexual drive. We gave into it for a long, leisurely while.

"Camille, doesn't this remind you of that evening by the water lilly pond in Yunnan ... I asked you to marry me, and ... // "And I said, no."

I was sitting at the radio, waiting to receive a message, when there was an echo of rocks falling from the ceiling far back in the cave. Soon, it was followed by the hollow, heavy thud of larger sections of the ceiling collapsing back there. Puffs of ochre dust rolled forward and lightly covered my clothes. I was worried. This had never happened before. I coughed deeply, sharply, from the dust, then as I started to try to clear my throat ... Suddenly, I heard the violent roar of ceiling and dirt falling through much of the cave. My heart caught in my throat. A cave-in! I grabbed my cane, radio, and battery, and started for the entrance when shards of rocks and stalagmites began falling around me, some tearing into my skin until it bled. 
Soon the light from the entrance dimmed. Massive rocks were choking it. I was trapped. Standing very still, imagining even the slightest movement could set off another collapse, I gulped in the heavy air. Slowly I looked over my shoulder ...