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walls soared overhead, rough with mineral deposits and streaks of sparkling mica. A few lightbulbs enclosed in wire cages dangled from a cord strung along the wall. They cast long, flickering shadows throughout the dim cave, hardly cutting through the dark gloom. It was even cooler—and creepier—than Kristi had imagined it would be.
    â€œSqueeze in, everybody. Right next to your neighbor,” Mrs. Hallett announced. “It’s a tight fit in the entryway, but this is where we like to tell you a little bit about the Ravensburg Caverns before your tour.”
    Mrs. Hallett hadn’t even finished speaking before Bobby’s hand shot into the air. “I have a question,” he said loudly. “Is it true that early settlers used the caves as prison cells? Because I read that there are these, like, rooms with old bars on them, and the settlers would lock up murderers and horse thieves and leave them there to die!”
    A tight smile crossed Mrs. Hallett’s face. “You’remixing things up. The Ravensburg Caverns were discovered in 1739, when the first settlers in the area were prospecting for gold. Of course, they never found any—but I think we can all agree that the Ravensburg Caverns are far more valuable than a few gold nuggets, can’t we?”
    â€œUh, hardly,” Tim muttered under his breath, making Bobby snort with laughter.
    Mrs. Hallett glared at him. “According to the diary of Captain Miles Larsen, a suspected thief took refuge in the caverns rather than face justice for his crimes, but he certainly wasn’t imprisoned here. Most likely, he escaped through an alternate tunnel out of the caverns . . . or else he met with an accidental death. The Ravensburg Caverns have always been a treacherous place—but if you respect them, they will respect you.”
    Olivia gave Kristi a subtle nudge. “She’s kind of nuts, huh?” Olivia whispered.
    â€œSeriously. Maybe she spends too much time underground,” Kristi whispered back.
    â€œNow, you’ll learn all about the real history of this astonishing natural wonder,” Mrs. Hallett promised, “but I like to start at the beginning. We’re standing at the uppermost part of the Ravensburg Caverns, aseries of tunnels and rock chambers that continue for thousands of feet underground. Scientists think that the caverns were first formed when—”
    Once again Bobby raised his hand. “Are you going to tell us about Circus Atrocitas?” he said. “Because what I heard was that they used to practice their top secret routines here so that nobody would know . . . but something went really wrong during one of their shows and, like, seventeen people in the audience died ! And everyone in town was so mad they chased all the performers into the caverns . . . and they were never seen again!”
    Mrs. Hallett wasn’t smiling anymore. “The Circus Atrocitas accident was a long time ago and it had nothing to do with the Ravensburg Caverns,” she said. “Now, if I could please continue, scientists think that the caverns were formed over many thousands of years. And do you know what created them?”
    â€œMonsters?” Evan cracked, making everyone giggle.
    â€œRain!” Mrs. Hallett said loudly.
    Ms. Pierce nodded. “Do you remember learning about this in class?” she asked the seventh graders. “Since rain is slightly acidic, it can dissolve minerals inlimestone, forming an extensive network of caverns over time.”
    Mrs. Hallett cleared her throat; she looked annoyed by the interruption, even if it was from a teacher. “Today, you’ll find that the caverns are home to a unique ecosystem of cave-dwelling creatures—” she tried to continue.
    â€œFrom the toxic waste buried right under us!” Bobby practically yelled. “And now everything that lives here is a radioactive mutant! Have you seen