The Mountain's best kept Secret

7. Uncovering the Mountain's secret

(Isabella’s POV)

“Almost there girls, we have to approach from an angle. That’s how I found it.” He led the way until they came face to face with his find. The four couldn’t believe their eyes. There it was! The Mountain’s best kept secret. 

A cave opening came in front of them, but so narrow and concealed, no one would detect it unless they knew where to look. “How did you come upon the cave, Travis?” Isabella asked. The tear in the cliff walls stretched up high and was immense. “I was exploring the area when a reflection caught my eye. When I went closer to investigate, I discovered the entrance. I haven’t gone in yet, called you first.”

“And did you find the cause of the reflection?” Penny asked. “Nope, I immediately came to look for you.” Travis shrugged with his gaze still fixed on the cave’s entrance. As with all secrets, it is difficult to uncover them at first, but Isabella's determination drove her. “I want to go in and look around…” Before she could finish her sentence, Penny loudly gashed. If it had not been for her own words, shock would also have been her feedback. Typically, she didn’t entertain such dangerous behaviour, but was certain of her need to go in. Was it curiosity that lured her, or something more ominous?

“There it is again.” She murmured to herself. “What?” Penny asked after she overheard her concern. ‘A whisper in the wind is calling my name’, she reflected, but could not bring herself to tell Penny this. She might assume she’s suffering from heatstroke. “O, no nothing. Thought I heard an animal or something”. She lied. “Sure you’re ok?” Penny asked before carefully placing her hand on Isabella’s burnt shoulder. ‘No! No, I’m not ok. Since we showed up and my feet felt the soil of this magical place, I felt home. More so, than I ever had! Am I crazy? I can’t contain the butterflies in my stomach threatening to take flight and me with them. I want to follow the whisper calling me… I need to trust my gut.’ Isabella shouted in her mind, but her lips remained mute. How can she tell Penny her true opinions? Nothing of this made sense.

She gave Penny a half smile, deeply exhaled and tried climbing towards the cave’s entrance. Unexpectedly, she stepped on a loose rock that gave way under her. “No, Bella, wait! You don’t know what is in there! It’s dangerous!” Penny tried to talk some sense into her. “I’m going in, with or without you.” She answered without looking back. Attentively, she searched the cliff wall for a stable way up. “Travis, talk some sense into her, please!” Penny urged. After rolling his eyes at Penny, he agreed; “She’s right, Bella. This may not be the best idea after all. Let go back first and come return another day.”

Since Isabella could remember, she accepted the part she had to play in society. Kind-hearted and soft-spoken would best describe her. She felt safe hiding behind these labels given to her over the years. It suited her well. However, a cunning side of Isabella existed, that few knew about. She gazed up at the high cliffs surrounding them. These mountains hid an ancient secret from the outside world. From the moment Isabella jumped from the cliffs into the water, it brought her back to life. She belonged here.

The cool breeze danced from the shadows and over Isabella’s half naked body, giving her goosebumps and one side of her mouth to curl up. If the situation called for her cunning side, she had no other choice but to give in. Currently, she found herself in one of those ‘situations’ and needed to exploit Travis’s feelings towards her. In return, he will help get her into the cave. Isabella turned to Travis with a challenging yet flirtatious grin, “How can you be afraid if we already jumped off those dangerous cliffs?” She knew Travis would bend her way if she offered him a little tenderness.

After hearing Isabella’s words, Travis pulled back his shoulders and stood up straight. “I could never allow one of my friends to go in there alone. I will accompany you. Penny, Grace, what about you?” Travis asked the other two girls. Grace glanced at Travis with contempt, because his quick change of heart deeply saddened her. “Well then, I’ll lead the way.” Grace roughly pushed passed Isabella to climb up the cliff without waiting for a response. Today, Isabella learnt a lot about their new friend Grace, but the most obvious was that Travis truly held heart. The perfect combination to convince them to follow her in. Bitterness motivated Grace to climb with no help from the others.

Isabella dropped her head to hide the shame her actions caused her. Grace got upset, not because she persuaded him to accompany her, but the flirtatious way she did it. Her heart ached for Grace, but the mountains called for her to unearth its hidden secret.

In order to reach the cave’s entrance, the friends had to climb a short distance up the cliff wall. It was no simple task, nor Penny or Isabella could have made it to the top without Travis’s help. All four of them remained in aw as soon as they reached the entrance. The cave was broader than they imagined. Isabella stroked her numb hands because of the climb. The darkness hung thick and gloomy in front of them—stretching deep into the cave.

Without warning, Travis picked up a rock and flung it into the abyss. “What are you doing? I thought you said there could be a dangerous animal hiding in the cave?” Penny scolded Travis. “I wanted to check how deep the cave run into the cliffs.” Travis answered her, shrugging his shoulders. Tension and suspense among the friends were clearly apparent - threatening to erupt at any moment. “Did someone hear the rock hit anything?” Penny asked in a low but shaky voice.

“No, that means -”. Suddenly, a gush of wind came from within the depths of the cave and returned the rock with it. It came with such force that the four friends got pushed to the ground. Unexpectedly, the cave floor gave way under them into a world unknown.

Darkness.

Isabella found herself in the same recurring dream once more. She plunged deeper into the black waters surrounding her, but this time she didn’t struggle. Contempt filled her spirit as the sun’s rays gleamed from above. But down below the water remained murky. As before, the white horse appeared, freely floating about. “Thank u…” She tried to utter, for it saved her life earlier, but she had no voice. The horse unexpectedly changed its course and came right at her. All of a sudden, she stood in the forest.

Silence.

She found it to be somewhat peculiar that no sound came to her ears. “Penny!... Travis!... Grace!...” She called out to her friends, but only heard her eco in the distance. Looking around, she noticed a thorn bush rusting. Curious, she stepped closer to investigate. “Not yet.” A voice spoke from behind. Startled, she spun around only to find the old woman that regularly visited her dreams. She has never talked before, but this time she extended her hand and said; “Come, child. We’re expecting you.”

Dust.

Isabella woke from her dream and tried to pry her eyes open against the thick dust cloud hanging in the air. She violently coughed as the dust made it impossible to breathe. With difficulty, she grabbed the cave wall to pull herself up. “Urg!” She exclaimed and fell back down. She grabbed her ankle and wailed in pain. To ease the excruciating pain shooting up her leg, she gently rubbed her ankle. She must have hurt herself when the cave floor collapsed underneath them. “What have I done…” She cried while wiping a tear from her cheek. Not able to stand up, she peered around in the darkness to locate the others. “Guys, where are you?” She waited for a reply, but none came. “Where are you? Please answer me!” she cried in a shaky voice.

Still no answer. She tried shifting closer to where they might be lying. “Penny!” She murmured out of fear having lost her best friend. After a while, she heard Travis’s cough. “Tavis! Travis, are you hurt?” She exclaimed with relief. “Bella, I’m fine. Wait, I’m coming to you.” He struggled through the darkness until he reached her. “Bella! Are you ok?” Travis asked. “I’m so sorry! It’s all my fault. You advised against coming in here, but…” She said, but got interrupted by him. “Shh, you’re not to blame. I choose to come here too.” He said while cupping her face. “Yes, but you don’t understand!” She moaned through her tears. “Hush now, enough. Let focus on getting out of here.” He tried to calm her. His face turned serious as he looked around before shifting his attention back to her. “Can you stand up?” He asked. “Um… I don’t think so. I hurt my ankle during the fall.” She answered. He softly placed his hand over her injury and spoke; “Stay here, let me find the others and a way out first.”

“Bella!” Both turned their heads in search of Penny. “We’re here!” Relieved, Isabella yelled out and heard Penny stumbling towards them. “Damn these rocks!” She murmured after almost tumbling over one. “What the hell just happened?!” Penny asked, out of breath. “It’s all my fault, I’m sorry…” Isabella said with her head lowered. “I warned you it could be dangerous, but NO… Nobody listened to me.” She uttered. “Penny, don’t be such a b***h! It’s likely Bella broke her foot and you want to play the blame-game?”. Travis came to Isabella’s defence before instructing; “Clearly, only your ego got hurt, Penny, so go see if you can find us a way out. I’ll look for Grace.”

Travis then stood up and made his way to the other side of the cave, minding the fallen rocks. Penny gave Isabella a pitiful glance before asking; “Are you badly hurt? I didn’t intend to come off rude. I’m still in shock…” “Please don’t apologise. You’re right, we should’ve listened to you.” She replied. “Stay here, I will find us a way out.” Penny suggested. “Please be careful!” Isabella yelled as Penny walked away. “The time for being careful has passed, don’t you think? The sooner we get out of here, the better.” Penny responded, then walked away.

She sat all alone, but eventually her eyes adapted to the dark. Faint outlines of the cave slowly became clear. Too afraid of pain, she resisted any big movements. Rather, she would wait for the others to come to her aid. She looked at Travis’s figure in the distance bending down and anxiously asked; “Have you found her?”. He replied, “Yes, but she is unconscious”. Hearing this, her heart plunged into her stomach. How can this be? Grace had to wake up, she just had to!

Carefully, he picked up her head and placed it in his lap. “Grace, wake up… Come on, open your eyes.” Travis pleaded. As soon as he patted her face, she responded. “Wha.. wha.. what happened?” Grace slowly opened her eyes. “We had an accident.” He responded. “No…” Was all she could manage at first, but after swallowing, she continued. “It was no accident. You angered the forest by throwing the rock. By doing so, you offended a sacred place.” She whispered. Travis had no time for her gibberish and had to get them out of there. He helped her up, but she was still very weak. He held her tightly to his chest until she found her balance. 

“My head is… So dizzy…” Grace complained and grasped tighter onto him. “Let me take you outside first.” Travis replied and picked her up into his muscular arms. “Is she hurt?” They heard Isabella in the distance. “A little disorientated and needs fresh air. If I can only find a way out of this tomb”. He said. “There’s light coming from over there!” Penny exclaimed with excitement, coming closer to where they stood. “Where there’s light, there should be a way out.” Penny suggested full of hope. “Are you sure? That is excellent news!” Isabella flung her head in the direction Penny pointed. After squinting her eyes, she noticed the light coming from outside. “I see it too!” Isabella exclaimed. Next, Travis spoke with Grace still clasping to his chest. “Penny, stay with Bella until I come back for you. I need to carry Grace out first.”

For the first time Isabella came to appreciate Travis’s hero complex, as she disapproved when he seized control of every situation. His muscular body could effortlessly carry her out of the cave to safety. And you don’t realise someone’s worth until you’re in need of them. How was she to exit the cave if not for the same arms that encircled her waist countless times. She allowed his affection toward her out of guilt for not being able to return his love. She has been selfish with his heart; all this time he could love another, but turned a blind eye in the hopes to winner her back. The two friends sat in silence next to each other, staring at their hero disappearing with Grace in his arms. Penny gently placed her hand on Isabella’s swollen ankle, then let out a loud sigh. “Bella, please forgive me. I’m to blame, not you.”

“How’s that?” Isabella’s confusion evident. “I trusted Grace and allowed her to persuade me to come here. Now, look what happened… Thank goodness no one got killed!” Isabella opened her mouth to reassure her friend this wasn’t true, but Penny gave her no chance. “It’s the end of the year and we’ll go our separate ways soon enough. I just wanted to spend some time together...” She noticed the tears Penny swallowed back and got sad. She spoke the truth; after finals, they’ll all go their separate ways. Yes, they’ll try to keep in touch, but the actual world has no time to nurture relationships. So they will eventually drift apart.

To be fair, Isabella played a huge part in her friend’s desperate attempt at a last randevu. “If you wish to blame someone, blame me… After Travis and I broke up, I withdrew into my shell. I choose my studies over of you. It’s just… You know…” She couldn’t find the correct words to describe the terrible friend she became. “A break, I needed a break from Travis and all that reminded me of him. I hate myself.” She admitted. “For what?”

“For all of this and for…”. She paused. “Bella, you’ve been carrying around a burden. Every time we’re together, I look at how its weighing you down.” Penny stroked her back. “All those months, I led him on. I went along with it, because I wanted to make him happy. He made a relationship seem so straightforward. Before long, he demanded more from me. Understandably so, yet my heart could never come to love him more than a friend…” Tears streamed down her face as she spoke. “I love him, honestly I do, but not as a lover. I tried every day.” She shook in Penny’s arms as she let out all her sadness. “Shh.” Penny tried to calm her down. “How can I forgive myself? I should’ve never kissed him at the party, but Travis, he decided for me. He never allowed me a chance to reject him. After the kiss, he regarded us as a couple. I genuinely hoped I would come to return his affections in time.”

She picked her head up from her hands and gave Penny a forced smile. “So yes, I’m to blame.”. “Bella, if you told me, I could’ve helped carried your pain. How could I not see…” She cut her off; “No, I could not burden you with my troubles. And you wished us to be together, remember?”. “Yes, but I only thought you needed a push in the right direction. You always seemed so happy together. Thank u for telling me. I love you no matter what.” Penny leaned over and hugged her.

“I found a way out!” They heard Travis walking towards them. “Yes!” Penny jumped up and wiped the dust from her bum. “Can you stand?” She tried to pick Isabella up by supporting her weight on her shoulders. “No, wait! I’ll carry her.” Travis hurried to them, slid his arm under Isabella’s knees and swiftly lifted her from the ground. Before she could object, he braced her against his chest. “You see?” she asked, to what Penny let out a sigh; “A huh.” “Have you been crying?” He noticed. “Overwhelmed, that’s all. Can we please get out of here?”

A wave of relief washed over Isabella as dusk appeared before them. Overjoyed, she looked up at the birds flying high above them. And then, as she returned her gaze, an equally cheerful smile met hers, mere inches away. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead on hers then whispered: “We made it; you’ll be fine now.” Awkward to his sudden touch, she pulled away and gave him a disapproving look. “Have you neglected our chat on the cliffs earlier?” Travis watched the anger boiling up and quickly placed her back down. “Give me a break; we all just went through hell. And you… I can’t stand seeing you hurt.”

“No! Let me stop you there, I’m done entertaining your denial. I ended our relationship a long time ago. And it’s not ok to do and say things like this.”. “Guys, it’s getting dark.” Grace interrupted the lover’s quarrel.

Every one turned their attention to the sunset in the distance. “Let’s go back. Bella needs a doctor to look at her ankle”. As Penny mentioned her injury, it reminded her of the throbbing pain shooting up her leg. “That would be nice, but I don’t know how I will manage the swim back.” Penny stepped in; “Bella and I will stay here. You two can go get help.”. “No way I’m leaving you behind. It will be dark soon. If I weren’t so drained, I could take you on my back. But I’m sure we would both drown.” He quickly answered. “We can try to find a way around?” Penny suggested. “It’s no use. We must make camp for the night and find a way home first thing tomorrow.” Grace stood with her arms crossed.

“I don’t like this idea!” Penny paced up and down. “Do we have another choice?” Travis’s said discouraged. “We can take turns to stand watch, but we need to make haste. Our priority now is to get a fire going before dark.” “There—that looks like a good place to spend the night.” Grace pointed to a sheltered spot not too far from the river. “Go there while I collect wood to start the fire.” She was on a mission, as if her survival switch flipped on.

Before long, we sat around a small fire. Grace and Travis used some rocks to light the grass on fire. Isabella grinned at the sight of their bickering—both had strong leadership qualities, so neither gave in to the other’s suggestions. Like in the movies, they created sparks by hitting two rocks together. And they rejoiced once the spark smouldered into a flame. Jumping up and down and doing silly dance moves. “You two would make a lovely couple.” Penny hissed at the sight of them. Still angry at Grace’s dishonesty, she meant to insult her, but rather it made her blush. “It wasn’t meant as a compliment!” “Stop it, Penny, enough.” Travis gave her a stern look.

Isabella got distracted while the others debated who should take first watch. Something was off… The cliffs stood different and the river snaked to the opposite side. Flabbergasted, she anxiously turned her head from one side to the next. It was not the same place as before, she knew, because she studied its beauty before they entered the cave. All looked similar, but nothing was the same. The realisation shook her to the core… The mountains reviled its best kept secret!

Grace came over and bent down next to her. “I know what you’re thinking.” She whispered. “What am I thinking?” “You’re right; we’re not in the same mountains anymore.” Without a sound, Grace placed her index finger on Isabella’s pale lips. “Shhh. No need to worry, he will reveal himself soon.” HIMSELF?