The crust had broken over a hollow area nearly three feet across.
Water seeped upward through the bottom.
Dale took his shovel and pushed carefully along the edge.
The blade broke through suddenly.
He jerked back.
“Well, hell.”
Marcus stared.
Dale looked at Eli.
The boy said nothing.
Dale cleared his throat.
“That ground didn’t feel boggy.”
Marcus looked at him.
“What did it feel like?”
“Hollow.”
Otis heard the story the next day.
He came over.
For the first time, nobody laughed.
Dale explained it again.
“Like stepping on an old porch board right before it breaks.”
Marcus finally looked at Eli.
“All right.”
Eli waited.
“What?”
“You have my attention.”
That mattered more than an apology would have.
They spent the next several days mapping.
Marcus joined now.