Tori's Misfits

Chapter12

Tori’s POV:

I take the lead, and we enter the narrow tunnel, the air is damp and musty, the light from the candle barely letting us see anything ahead. We walk single file, listening to our own breathing and footsteps echoing around us. The sharp rocks that jut out from the walls make it so we must duck our heads often.

After what seems like an eternity, we reach what appears to be a dead end, but looking closely we see a small opening, big enough for one person to squeeze through. After some debating, we decided to see what is on the other side.

Carli would go through first; she was the fastest and most able to protect herself. She knelt and slid her head and shoulders into the opening, being careful not to scrape herself on the jutting rocks. She quickly disappears from our sight. Jaccia kneels next to the opening and waits for Carli’s signal. I stand behind her with my back towards the tunnel we came from, keeping watch for any danger.

We hear Carli’s voice faintly from the other side.

“Come on through, it is safe.”

Jaccia pulls back and looks at me.

I nod and watch as she ducks into the opening again and starts crawling after Carli. I wait and when I can’t see Jaccia anymore, I enter the crawl space and follow her.

As I reach the end of the crawl space Carli helps me to stand and relights the candle. She leads us towards a large chamber that we can just make out ahead of us.

The chamber is dry with a smooth floor, making it easy to walk in the dim light. Walking towards the far side I can hear a soothing sound as water cascades down the wall. The water collects in a pool surrounded by rocks. It looks like someone arranged the rocks to create the pool.

There are small fish swimming in the pool, unlike any I have ever seen before. I detest the bugs and bats that are abundant in the upper cave and see little to no signs of them in the chamber. I look at the fish again and wonder, if necessary, could they be a food source?

Watching the fish, I kneel by the edge of the pool and stare into the clear, blue water. It looks inviting so I dip my hand in and feel the coolness of the water. I cup my hand and bring it to my lips. I sip the water slowly to savor it as it soothes my thirst. We all drink from the pool until we are satisfied.

I look around the chamber and notice how dimly lit it is. The candle is flickering and melting fast. I turn to my friends and say, “We will need to make some torches somehow, so we don’t use up all the candles. I don’t want to use the lantern except at night in the sleeping tunnel.”

Carli nods and says, “That’s a good idea. Maybe if all stays quiet for a few days one of us can go foraging for supplies.”

Jaccia shakes her head and says, “NO! Jace told us to stay in the cave until he returned. We should wait until we know it’s safe.”

I can see that Carli is glaring at Jaccia wanting to argue with her. I am quick to intervene to prevent an argument.

“I understand we can’t go into town, but we may need to forage before he returns, but we will wait as long as possible, okay Jaccia,” I say trying to calm them down.

Jaccia looks at Carli, and after a moment both let out a sigh and agree.

Carli with a look of disappointment says, “Okay, fine. We’ll wait as long as possible.”

Glad to have that issue settled, I look around the chamber once more before suggesting we return to the main cavern. Turning away from the pool the girls looked at me and nod their agreement, it is getting late.

Returning to the crawl space, Carli drops down and squeezes in the opening, Jaccia and I watch and wait our turns. As Carli disappears from sight Jaccia crawls in and then I follow, doing my best to ignore the spider hanging out on the wall, shivering at the thought of it touching me.

Arriving close to the main cavern, I stop and ask Tia to make sure it is safe to enter. Jaccia and Carli stand behind me and we wait for the okay to go ahead. After a brief time, Tia informs me that she is unable to sense anything so we continue. I walk towards the front of the cave ignoring the rushing sound of the waterfall to check for signs of any entry.

Satisfied it is safe I tell Carli and Jaccia we can open the tunnel and prepare our meal. Entering the sleeping tunnel we are talking about ways we can use the big chamber and water pool we found while exploring. I am excited by the find and that it is in the safety of the cave.

“I believe the pool will be far easier for bathing and washing.” Jaccia informs Carli.

“Yes, I believe you are correct, and the cavern is large enough to allow us to exercise and practice our fighting.” Carli exclaimed, with enthusiasm.

Listening to them I feel amazement that a dark musty empty space could make us feel such joy. I smile and laugh as they continue planning all the ways we could use the space to our advantage while staying here. The room offers us choices that we get to make for ourselves, a freedom we have rarely if ever had.

Placing the food on the table Jaccia goes to fill the drinking jar with water. Carli says the blessing and we sit down to eat a small meal. It is the last of the bread and fruit, we have enough jerky for three more meals. Then we will have to eat the canned goods provided by Jace.

I think of the strange fish in the pool again, wondering if they could provide a meal. The thought of fresh fish making my mouth water. Then I remember that Jace said we could not light a fire, as the smoke could be spotted.

“Do you think we should explore the other tunnel tomorrow or return to the pool chamber?” I asked.

Jaccia looks at me and smiles, “I want to return to the pool chamber and bathe and wash the dirty clothes.”

“No, I am exploring the other tunnel. It could pose either a danger or a resource for us,” Carli states while staring at Jaccia. “If you want to return to the pool chamber, we will split up. Then you can get your bath and wash clothes, while Tori and I make sure we are safe.”

I stand up and open the sleeping tunnel, moving all proof inside, listening to the girls argue. I can see both of their points of view, but feel safety is more important than the rest. After lighting the lantern I return to the main cavern.

“Jaccia, I know you want to return to the pool chamber, but I feel Carli is correct. The unexplored tunnel could pose a threat, we need to know where it goes. I don’t think separating is a good idea either,” I calmly inform them.

Jaccia jumps up and stomps off, muttering under her breath. I look at Carli and she shrugs, standing offering to help lay out the blankets. I look towards the front where Jaccia is pacing back and forth. I know from experience if we leave her, she will come around. So go with Carli to lay out the blankets.

When the blankets are laid out I call Jaccia, “would you read some out of the book tonight?”

I watch as she makes sure to erase all our tracks walking backwards towards the opening. When in the tunnel she closes the opening, turning and glaring at me.

“Buttering me up won't help, I still want to go to the pool chamber.” she declares. “I will read tonight and tomorrow if you agree to practice after we explore.”

“Thank you Jaccia, we will visit the pool chamber soon to bathe and wash.”

Carli lays down on the far side and pats the space beside her “lay here so we can all see the book, please.” she asks, loving to listen to Jaccia read as much as I do.

Jaccia picks up the book and lays down leaving room for me on her other side, where I quickly lay down. She opens and begins, “The moon Goddess created the werewolves…..”

We listen as she reads until she lets out a long yawn and closes the book. I take the book and place it on the shelf blowing out the lantern. I lay there staring out into the dark and praying that we are able to reach safety as I drift off.