Story

PROLOGUE

Normally I like the smell of dirt. I actually find it intriguing, especially when I’m staring at a small calcite formation on the floor of a cave chamber. Right now: not so much.

The pain in my right leg was unbearable and it also reminded me that I had just fallen 2 meters from the ceiling above. There was nothing but sheer darkness ahead of me, except maybe for a faint contour of a tunnel ahead.

I tried screaming for help but it was futile. My team was unable to hear probably because I had gone alone to search for this stupid hunch of mine. What was I thinking? This was and still is suicide.

Trying to recompose myself, I quickly reached for the flashlight in my backpack and my caving helmet in case I bumped my head on some rock formation.

As I lifted the flashlight and pointed it ahead, I saw that there was more than just darkness ahead of me. There was fear too.

ONE

The intricate combination between speleothems and ancient walls was mind blowing to any history lover. Given my lack of such knowledge, I still knew that this might certainly be a gold mine for any driven archaeologist wishing to leave his mark on history.

I had been helping the people in my team for 3 years now. My knowledge of caving and medical skills were compulsory, had they any wish of dealing with the dead-ends and the accidents which might happen in their quests for historical sites beneath the surface.

The leader of the expedition, Kate, was a knowledge-driven character who loved to unearth the treasures of our ancestors so that people would learn to appreciate what they had all around them.

She was certainly not an imposing presence as far as her physique was concerned. Short, red hair, brown eyes and a stature not taller than that of a 15-year old child really did a great job at hiding her remarkable character and strong-willed mind. We had met in high-school while joining a Mountain Club which offered us a chance to discover a true friend in each other.

Mike, her beloved brother was a unique blend of brains, adventure and affection for his only family. He was a Geology student and a great friend to the other member of our team: Jones.

To us, it was more than digging for lost treasures. It was an epic adventure that united us in every way possible.

Right now, I really missed my friends. I felt sure that they would come looking for me in the morning. Yet, I could not sit in one place for 6 hours while the cold set in and risk hypothermia. I had to move forward, into the tunnel and see whether there might be any exit or a breeze that I might follow and hope it would turn out to be a way out.

Having been walked for 2 hours, I knew I had to turn back while I still had a bit of energy left. However, there was something captivating about this never-ending tunnel. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. And let me tell you, I had seen a lot of things in my short life but this… this was something I had to pursue.

Just on my right side, I noticed a small hatch in the wall and tried to open it, but it was useless. I needed some heavy machines if I wanted anything from that little door. Maybe my team might help me. So I started to go back to my crash site. My fluorescent watch indicated it was almost 6 o’clock. Kate must have woken up by now and seen that I had not slept in my sleeping bag.

All I had to do was wait and see…

TWO

“Where could she be?” asked a troubled Kate.

“She must have gone to meditate. You know she loves to do that in the morning” replied Mike in a carefree tone.

“Still… this is not like her to just go out and not leave any kind of note. She knows I get worried quite easily”.

Kate’s movements showed worry and concern about the fate of her dear friend. She knew that if her gut feeling told her things were bad, she should pursue it.

“We must engage a search party to go out near the dig site and find any trails. You all know what to do in such a case so I don’t have to repeat myself” was the only command Kate could muster.

“I’ll go with the dogs where the main entrance used to be” replied Mike.

Still no sign of anyone from my team… The damp soil made my feet numb and my head felt like it weighed 20 kilos. Man, sleep deprivation was a total bitch. My only chance of getting out was to try and climb the wall on my right but there was a chance I might fall and risk breaking both my legs if indeed my right one had broken from the fall.

Still, I had to take a risk even if it meant 2 months of wearing a horrible cast. There was no immediate point of leverage on the wall but I had climbed my fair share of rocks back in the old days. And on I went, into the deep dark abyss.