Burial Ground

IV

2:48 p.m.

Dahlia reached the pinnacle of the mound of rubble and stared down upon the ruins. They were more amazing than she had even dared to hope. She spun to face Jay, who was hot on her heels, camera in hand. The eagerness in his eyes surely matched her own. This was what they'd been waiting for. This documentary would put them on the map and they would have more work and success than they'd be able to handle.

She turned back to the task at hand. The others were already at the bottom of the pile, staring in awe at the scene before them. She needed all of this on film. This was no time to lag behind. This was when the magic happened.

"I want a panoramic view of this spread from up here, then focus down on the others where they are now. As soon as you have enough footage, haul ass down there and see if we can get a shot of their faces before they begin to explore. And stick with Sam. She's our expert. I want to see everything she sees. And make sure you're close enough to record everything she says. That information is crucial for the voiceover."

"I'm on it," he said, and took up post on the highest vantage point.

Meanwhile, she needed to stall the others to buy Jay some time to catch up. This was her moment. She'd followed patiently and stayed out of the way like a good little girl, but this was what they were paying her for. If they wanted this done right, they were going to have to do it her way.

She scrambled down the loose bricks, slipping on the mossy surfaces and catching herself on her abraded palms. The rain made the descent even more challenging, but she'd rather chance a sprained ankle than blow this opportunity.

And why did it have to be raining anyway? Sure, it added a measure of reality and ambiance, but she would have traded both for a clear blue sky.

The others appeared ready to disperse. She had to be quick.

"Wait!" She leaped from the mound and landed in the mud. Her legs buckled and she fell to her knees, tearing her jeans and the skin beneath them. She didn't even feel it. Lunging to her feet, she grabbed Leo by the arm. "This is why you brought us. If you want this properly documented, then you have to wait for Jay." She paused to catch her breath. "We enter as a group, Sam in the lead. Jay will be right at her hip with me behind him. The rest of you stay a couple steps back until I give the word."

The expression on Leo's face was one of indignation. He was obviously not a man accustomed to being told what to do. He opened his mouth to protest, but Dahlia silenced his objection in a whisper.

"You said you wanted this film to be your son's legacy. That legacy is now in my hands. If you want something half-assed with people tromping all over the ruins, then by all means, go ahead. But if you want this film to be truly special, something that will simultaneously honor your son's memory and make the viewers feel as though they're part of the expedition, then you're going to have to do this the right way. My way."

After a long pause, he acquiesced with a nod. Dahlia felt a swell of power.

She turned to Sam. "Are you ready to do this?" The way the anthropologist appeared ready to burst, Dahlia didn't need to wait for an answer. "Then on my mark, you take the lead. This is the first pass. I want you to point out and describe everything of topical importance. Save the fine details for later when we'll have plenty of time to properly document each. For now, I just want a leisurely stroll through the ruins, a cursory exploration, if you will."

"Can we do this now, or would you like to touch up my makeup first?"

Dahlia matched Sam's smirk, and with a flourish, gestured for her to lead the way.

"Stay right on top of her," Dahlia whispered to Jay, who had taken a moment to ready himself, and now advanced on Sam's left. "And don't you dare miss a thing."

"Relax, girl. This is what I was born to do."

Dahlia fell into stride behind him, so close she nearly clipped his heels with each step, and, with her heart beating as fast as a hummingbird's, prepared to make cinematic history.