Full Moon-Appalachian Shifters

Chapter Thirteen Marie

I continued to explore the mine and I was regretting my decision the deeper into the mine I went. At some point I was having a hard time breathing, I had hoped that I did not find a gas pocket and would end up passing out.

“Now I understand why they brought canaries into the mines. I should have listened to mother but someone has to do something to get us out of here.” The bats were constantly lurking and I did everything I could not disturb them.

There were a few close calls and I nearly cried when one was so close the leathery wings touched me and I could hear it clicking. I quickly ran back to the entrance curled up in a ball and cried.

Mother had to reassure me that there were no scratches and I was not bitten. She lectured me but I was happy to know I was not going to end up with rabies.

“Do you think we are going to die here?” I was trying not to be pessimistic, I still thought I could find the way out of there when the bats left the cave. I found one exit but there was no way I was going to fit through it.

“Probably, unless your sister does something. I am sure she would be happy to have us gone.” Sighing I rolled my eyes and groaned at the headache that was creeping up the back of my neck.

“When did you become so dramatic, mother? You used to be so carefree and it just seems as if the past few days you are a different person.” She let out a scoff and turned her back on me to signal the conversation was over.

Deciding not to give up, I closed my eyes and rested for a little while. Sleep was all I could do, if I stayed awake, I would just worry and that led to panic attacks. We had precious little oxygen and the stink of our own waste was clouding up the space.

I woke up when I heard the stir of the bats, I decided to keep low and follow them. There were several groups of bats and the first group was in the upper half of the mine. I have yet to figure out where the second group exits.

They flew overhead and I followed them as they flew through the hole that looked out into the night sky. Fresh air blew in and I was grateful for the burst of cool air that was blowing in.

I made my way down to the mine where I thought I was bitten and found the second group of bats scurrying for their exit. Some flew toward the first group’s exit and the rest descended deeper into the mine.

There was a slight scent of sulfur and I heard bubbling. I stopped short and I nearly slid into a bubbling pool. There was a small island in the middle and I saw light on the other side of the pool.

The bats were flying out of the opening and I let out an internal squeal. There was definitely a way out of here. I just needed to get across the water. There was not enough of a ledge to walk on.

I also didn’t know if the pool was actually just a hot spring or if it was heated toxic sludge that could melt the skin off my bones. Sighing I sat down and watched the bats exit. It also could have led to another series of tunnels.

“Jo I wish you were here. You’d at least know what I was dealing with.” I missed my sister, there felt like there was an empty hole in me that was missing my sister.

I also couldn’t help but feel as if my mother was hiding something from me. What was really going on here and why was she acting differently?

A growl caught my attention and my heart hammered against my ribs, there was a large canine sitting across the pool. It looked like a wolf but how could that be? There were no wolves in Pennsylvania.

“I’m afraid I am not very tasty Mr. Wolf. However, if you know that this pool won’t melt the skin off my bones, I would follow you out of here.” The wolf let out a snort and maybe it was just someone’s pet dog.

I felt slightly dizzy and put my head on my knees. I needed to just close my eyes for a little bit and sleep. That was all I needed, to just sleep. What harm could it do?