Several months later...

“How much further?” complained a female voice from the back of the group.

Her three companions, two guys and one girl, stopped at the next corner to wait for her.

The frizzy redhead wore a pout as she trudged up the dirt road, an oversized pack hugging her back.

“Almost there, Nicole. Just one or two more bends,” blond baby-faced, Greg told her.

Beside him, his older brother, Gideon, suppressed a roll of the eyes at having to wait for girlfriend’s slower friend. The trip was supposed to be just him and Carmen, but apparently Nicole didn’t have anywhere else to go for the summer and Carmen had felt sorry for her. So Gideon had invited his brother, hoping maybe two third wheels were better than one. He’d promised to hook his brother up with a girl anyway and if these two hit it off then it would leave him more time to spend with the beautiful Carmen.

Beside him, Carmen suddenly grabbed his arm and squealed.

“Oh my gosh, Giddy look! There, through the trees. Can you see the waterfall?” Her long black hair swung like silk as she bounced up and down and pointed.

Gideon peered briefly through the trees and nodded.

She turned to him with a smile. The dark eyeliner she wore for almost every occasion and non-occasion highlighted her blue eyes and grabbed his attention away from their surroundings. She would probably even insist on wearing it under the water too.

None of them had been diving before but Carmen always picked something new to try for the summer, something she could do to escape her stuffy mansion. Something cool. Something she could post online so all the world could admire her. The woman they’d booked with had assured them that experience wasn’t necessary and all gear would be provided. As long as they paid in cash. Gideon had to admit that was a little strange but Carmen just seemed to find it all the more exciting and Gideon couldn’t complain too much, after all, it was her father who was paying for the trip.

Nicole finally caught up to them and they trudged onward.

Between heavy breaths Nicole rasped, “I could have just jumped us all there you know? We’ve got the exact coordinates.”

Carmen, who was practically skipping up the road, spun and replied, “Nooo, Nicky, walking is half the fun.”

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

Gideon was sure she would have changed her mind about that tomorrow if there had been more walking. She’d probably get Nicole to teleport them all out once the diving was done.

Gideon, himself was happy for the exercise, and for Carmen’s constant bouncing figure.

They finally reached the grotto where they were to camp.

Nicole looked ready to collapse. Greg kindly helped her take off her pack. Then he whispered quietly to Gideon, “Do we really not need any experience?” followed by, “Do you think they have beer here?”

Carmen jumped up and down and clapped her hands excitedly. “It’s soooo pretty!”

Calm blue waters lay before them, surrounded by cozy green forest. On the other side of the pool stood a pile of rocks. It looked like a good place to jump off into the pool from.

Carmen dumped her pack and then grabbed her camera. She took off at a run toward the mound.

Gideon watched as tiny pink cat ears sprouted from the top of her head, a common feature for her to shift part of her body into before she shot a video. Carmen thought they made her look oh so cute.

Indeed, a moment later she had her camera rolling and pointing back at herself and camp from the top of the rocks.

Gideon took a moment to sit on the grass and watch her before he got started setting up camp. The sun was nice and warm. The water looked inviting. Was there any better place to be?

It wasn’t long however before he got the feeling that they were being watched.

He glanced around the campsite and then he saw them. A man and a woman, standing slightly in the shade just watched them all. Watching Carmen in particular.

It was at that point that Carmen seemed to notice them too, perhaps in the background of her shot, for she suddenly stopped her chatter to the camera and turned to squint at the pair. Then she put her camera away and scrambled back down the rock pile.

The woman stepped into the light and walked toward the rest of the group.

She was tall and blonde and very pretty. She looked like a supermodel. Gideon couldn’t stop staring.

Carmen eventually reached his side and gave him an elbow to the ribs.

The woman stopped before them and gave them a smile that seemed almost a little cold.

“Welcome to the Goblin’s Grotto. I’m your host, Triss. Before we get started, do you have your payment on you?”

Carmen fumbled about for the white envelope full of cash and handed it over.

“Thank you.”

While they’d been focused on Triss, the man that had been standing next to her had managed to sneak quietly up behind her. His footsteps were so light none of them had heard his approach. Now he stepped out to the side where they could see him better.

He was a contrast to their host, with his bronze skin and green eyes. He was obviously very fit and now it was Carmen’s turn to stare with her mouth open. Even Nicole mumbled, “Whoa,” under her breath.

The man smiled. It was a much warmer smile than the one Triss had given, although perhaps there was a little too much teeth showing. In a friendly voice he said, “I’m afraid we don’t have any beer here, although I’m sure Triss could get you some if you ask nicely. As for experience, don’t worry about that. We’ll take good care of you. This cave is so easy even your grandma could do it.”

Triss smiled and gestured toward the man. “Everyone, I’d like to introduce to you, my brother. This is Nico. He’ll be your guide.”