Rocko and Paige raced through the desert, both wearing goggles to protect themselves from the dust and sand. Heat waves bounced off the glaring sand, the powerful engine pushing the wheels faster.
“And I thought Rogue Island was hot!” Rocko yelled over the noise of the engine.
“Yeah at least it rains in Rogue,” Paige agreed, a large smile plastered on her face. She really loved driving.
The ground around them was dusty and cracked from the dry heat.
“It doesn’t look like it has ever rained here,” Rocko replied, scanning the desert. “What’s that?” he asked, pointing into the distance.
“Looks like a building,” Paige yelled.
“I hope so, it would be nice to get into some shade,” he said, holding his water bottle and taking a large gulp.
As they got closer they realized it was a church. It was run down and most of the windows had been boarded up. Various pieces of junk lay around the outside, and some of the tiles had come off the roof. A light wind picked up and swirled around them as they got closer to the building.
The buggy roared up, sliding to an abrupt stop next to the crumbling church.
A strange man stepped out from the front door of the church. “Welcome travellers!” he called out, “We don’t get many of your kind out this way. Come in and take some shelter from the heat.”
Approaching the man, they noticed he had a priest outfit on. It had a few cuts and rips on it but he had a kind face.
“Something doesn’t feel right here…” Rocko said, looking around nervously.
“He is a priest and this is his church! What’s the problem? Besides, this is where the GPS led us,” Paige stated, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“Nah, all the horror movies I have seen start like this,” Rocko said seriously.
Paige tapped her head with a finger, “This isn’t a horror movie Rocko. This is real life!”
Rocko hesitantly agreed before cautiously walking over to the man.
“You two must be hot,” he said smiling, “My name is Pastor Reid, but you can call me Paul.”
“It’s nice to meet you Paul,” Paige responded, “I am Paige, and this behemoth is Rocko.”
Rocko carefully shook Paul’s hand.
Paul gave him a big smile, “Not too trusting are ya big fella?”
“We can’t be too careful,” he replied.
“I know,” Paul replied, “But you can relax here. I know why you have come.”
They followed the Priest into the chapel, “Why is there no town here Paul? I mean it’s a little odd to have a church in the middle of nowhere, with no town nearby,” Rocko asked.
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Paul let out a small laugh, “We have a community… We just live under the church for secrecy and security. And just between you and me, it is a lot cooler down there.”
“Why do you need to be hidden?” Paige asked, “It’s not like anyone would find you way out here… You’re in the middle of nowhere.”
“There are those out there that are looking for us. So we try to stay out of sight,” Paul replied in a friendly voice.
“Then why did you come out to see us?” Paige continued to ask, “How did you know we are not bad people?”
“You have so many questions young one. Come in, sit down!” as Paul was speaking, two other men arrived who appeared to be in their forties.
“Can you get Paige and Rocko a drink?” Paul said to them. They nodded and quickly disappeared.
“How many people live here?” Rocko asked, watching the two men leave.
“There are one hundred and fifty two of us that dwell here,” Paul said, not taking his eyes off them, “But to answer your question from before, we came out to greet you, because we knew you were coming.”
“How did you know we were coming?” Paige asked, now a little suspicious.
“The person you were sent to find is not here yet, but she should be back in a day or two.”
“What person…? Wait… But how do you know it’s us that you were waiting for?” Rocko asked before Paige could.
“It is those markings on your cloaks. She is the only one who can read those symbols. As soon as I saw that, I knew it was you. Now, come in and make yourself comfortable. My house is your house,” he said, leading them in with a smile, “That, and the fact that no one ever visits us here.”
Rocko and Paige had made their way down a giant spiral staircase and now stood amazed beneath the church.
“They have turned this underground into a town!” Paige said, spinning around excitedly in the vast cavern. They stood at the entrance to a small town, exactly the way it would have been above ground, but it was all in a giant cavern.
Rocko took a few steps forwards, staring in awe, “This place is incredible. Who would have thought this could exist…”
Paul watched their amazement and smiled, “It's been a long time since we had visitors down here, we sometimes forget what we have,” he pointed to the ceiling, “The lights are on a timer, which simulates the daylight outside.”
“How do you get food and water down here?” Paige asked.
“Ahh, a good question!” Paul said, still smiling. “There is an underground river directly below us, which supplies us with plenty of fresh water. And as for food, follow me and I will show you.”
Paul walked down one of the streets of the little village, stopping outside what looked like farm, “We don't trust anyone outside these walls. So we have to be self-sufficient.”
“These halls are massive!” Rocko said, staring down into the darkness. “There is no technology around that can build this, how did you…” his voice trailed off.
“It was built long ago when we were in possession of the earth blade. A beautiful blade with an ability that can literally move mountains,” Paul looked around, proud of the architecture.
Paige’s mouth dropped open, “Is that a farm?”
Paul nodded, “Quite right. We have animals, fruit and veggies. We do however, need to give them all supplements which they are missing out on from having no sun,” Paul explained, showing them trees and crops, “Come, I will show you where you will be staying.”
They walked back into town, stopping outside a little house.
“This is Nan's house. She is one of the elders down here in our little town. You will stay here until the one you seek returns.”
The door of the house opened and a dottery old lady stepped out, “Is that you Jimmy?”
Paul turned to Rocko and Paige, “Jimmy is her old husband. He died about 15 years ago.”
Nan turned to the group and stared at Paul, “You're not Jimmy!” She said, throwing a shoe at him.
Rocko and Paige were amazed at the speed and accuracy of the throw, and also at Paul’s reflexes, catching it before it smashed into his head.
“Come on Nan, it's me, Paul,” he said, handing back the shoe.
“I know,” she replied, “I'm not senile.”
“Then what’s with the shoe?” Paul asked with a frown.
“I'm not senile,” she repeated, looking up at him. “Just a little crazy.” She gave Rocko and Paige a friendly wink.
Paul's smile returned and he gave her a hug, “Good to see you Nan.”
“So these are the two of them?” she asked, pointing at Paige and Rocko.
“Yes, this is Paige and Rocko,” Paul said.
Nan looked at them, “Those are funny names, but who am I to judge?” she said, winking again, “Well Paige and Rocko, welcome, to Undaville.”