With a hungering bite, Maxwell chomped down the last bit of his turtle meat sandwich. With a nod he gave Tobias he was ready to go.Small streams of saliva crept across the plate that had been placed on the ground. As Onyx had just finished his meal. Sitting up and licking the sides of his mouth feeling satisfied.
“By the looks of it, the food hit the spot for you.” Tobias said.
“Yes it sure did.” Maxwell replied tossing the foil into a nearby container.
With a satisfied sigh he turned back and looked back at the Riptides third floor. Whatever had its eyes or presence on him was now gone. For a brief moment a fuzzy image of red and black danced across his vision from where he believed it came from.
The street and the festivities were slowing down as the sun moved across the sky. Most people had already come and experienced everything in earlier months, a good sizable crowd remained still to enjoy sights. “Where is our boisterous friend at?” Tobias asked.
“He should be down there by now waiting for us.” He replied. Knowing him he has already started looking into things. Unable to stay still.” Maxwell added. “If he has already started, that is good. He will finally be taking things seriously for once.” Tobias letting a grin grow across his face.
The three of them followed along the sidewalk passing by a few dozen tourists and a few Mom and pop stores that were still opened. With traffic in the street and a smaller amount of people it took no time at all to pass down 2 blocks. Groups of dwellings stood together, some facing up the hills, the others to the sea. At a split crossroads the trio headed down. The view opening up, the sea before them. Across the water Lapsels End could be seen, the towering granite gray and white cliffs on the other side of the water. Closer to the pier people in small groups walk across the sand, some enjoying themselves in shallow water as waves rushed by their feet.
Clattering across the wooden docks, Maxwell got in front and turned back to Tobias and Onyx.
“Alright you two, that is the shed just over there.” He said pointing at the dark blue shed. Rusted looking letters hang over the top of the doorway that spelt out.
“Pier 8 fishing shed #1. Even though we have no idea what to expect, be on your guard. With our gear, if one of those things shows up we are goners.” Maxwell said, adjusting his cap.
“Ready to possibly get some answers?” He said, bringing his hands together hand over fist.
Tobias gave a slight nodding gesture and motioned towards the shed. Nodding in response Maxwell took the lead and they approached the dark bluewood.
The front door was in unsurprising shape, having splinters forming out of several spots. Paint pulled off in multiple spots and the door knob looks like it needs to be replaced. Maxwell turned slightly at Tobias and made a face, then opened the door.
Inside a wave of old and damp wood smell hit them. Mixed in with some salt and another indistinguishable smell. At least it was spacious. Sets of wooden paddles lay in corners and some extra on the ceiling tireddown in pairs. Wooden and electric boats sit side by side. A few questionable-looking ones stood out the most. A turtle shaped boat, of course. A round egg-like looking boat. Most likely never used before. As the once white had signs of major peeling and color change. Others had some awkward designs and choices. A bright yellow, with streaks of red going across it. A floating piece of spaghetti, fantastic. Besides those 3 standouts, the rest had normal looks to them, of wear and tear and plenty of wear and tear on some. Onyx went up to a few of them giving them curious looks. Also staggering back after giving them a smell. A short old man came out of the corner set of stairs, with a slightly balding top for hair, the long graying hair going down the back of his head.
“How may I help you today? His old sagging eyes nearly closed. “Hello I am Maxwell, an investigator, I spoke with you on the phone yesterday.” “Ah, good good you can come right on up. The fish are stored up here. He said clutching a rail and headed back up.
“No sign of him, must be around here somewhere.” Tobias said. “We will ask the old man if he has stopped by. If he hasn't, I will give him a quick call.” Maxwell said.
Tobias and Maxwell headed up the stairs. As Onyx was currently occupied smelling boats and jumping in between them. Stacks and stacks of wooden barrels sit, nearly filling the entire room. The old man stood next to one barrel in the middle of the room.
“I had the young ones leave it right in the middle, so there would be no unnecessary digging around in here.” He said.
The three of them formed a small circle around the barrel. “We were going to meet a friend here, by any chance have you seen him?” Asked Maxwell.
Suddenly the old man smacked his forehead. Then began to think.
“There was one man in here with spiky blonde hair,” the old man finally said.
“He said he was going down to the beach until his friends got here, you two I assume.”
“That would be right.” Maxwell said. “Thank you.”
The old man nodded and put his attention back at the barrel.
“I must warn you.” The old man said. A foul smell begins leaking out once it is opened, so I will leave you two to it and meet you back downstairs when you are through. He shuffled off quickly down the stairs and the two gave each other curious eyes.
“Figures Lydon would go out and do something different.” Tobias said, putting his hands on the barrel. “The smell can’t be that bad right?”
“Will find out, let's see what we got.” Maxwell replied.
“I got it.” Tobias said, lifting both ends of the barrel lid. It was slimy and a bit sticky as well. His grip tightened. With a heave he tried to twist it off but it did not work either. “Come on you stubborn thing, this lid is stuck.” Tobias said.
After digging his fingers on the side, the lid came off with a loud crack. The smell was violent and putrid. Every sense was assaulted. Tobias stumbled back, Maxwell covered his mouth as he eye’s seemed to bulge out his head. Tobias, with his hands full, couldn’t protect himself from the smell and threw up, tossing the barrel lid on the ground. After a few large hurl ups Tobias covered his mouth and walked over to Maxwell, eyes watering.
“GOOD RIDDANCE!” He yelled, arm covering his mouth and nose.
The lid, now tossed to the floor, lay bottom side up, coated in a thick black tar like substance. Inside the barrel different fish parts floated covered in black. Slowly at the surface black bubbles expanded and popped.
Maxwell wiped the tears and scrunched his nose with his elbows and moved in front of the barrel.
“I have never seen anything like this, or have no idea what it is.” He said.
Tobias got closer as well, watching the black bubbles and the slow movement of sludge. Tobias with his free hand on the edge of the barrel and leaned in closer. The smell stinging his eyes.
Tobias knelt over the barrel. He'd seen this before. They all had.
“The beast from three years ago Maxwell. It’s fluids leaking out. From the ceiling in the ship where that thing fell as well. I also saw this in a nightmare. It feels the same. Just as then.”
“I want to try something.” Tobias said.
Maxwell, overwhelmed by the smell, gave a quick nod and took the lid, putting it halfway over top. Hopefully that would seal enough of the foul stench for them to breathe. Wood steps creaked as he made his way back down. Onyx must have been tired, for he was sleeping in the middle of a rowboat. The old man was repainting one of the boats in the corner. It looked unused and peeling from its time out on the water. Tobias snatched a set of paddles in the corner then headed back up.
Oh man, why am I doing this? What a killer smell. Tobias thought.
Maxwell waited. Hand on the barrel and keeled over. Was surprising that he held lunch for that long.
Tobias took one of the paddles and held it out to Maxwell. He just looked at the paddle for a moment before taking it.
“What are we going to do with this?” He asked.
“Going to see how deep this is. If we can somehow scoop anything out of here.” Tobias said, placing his paddle above the substance.
With a quick plunge the paddle sunk under. Right away it was difficult to push in more. Tobias pushed down harder. Oak creaked and whined as he pushed down. No luck, the black liquid was too dense.
“Try with both hands.” Maxwell said.
Tobias watched a tinge of surprise.
Maxwell took the paddle with two hands and drove it down. With his lungs full and tight, breath held, pushed down as hard as he could.
Tobias followed his lead. With both hands free the two pushed with all their strength. Neither paddle had budged. Relaxing his arms Maxwell stepped back leaving the paddle.
Tobias released his breath and tried to take a breath of air. The smell so intense filled his nostrils. He grabbed the paddle furiously and tried to pull back out.
“Come out, curse you!.” He yelled.
Maxwell just looked at his hands. Bits of tar surfaced on his palms.
Tobias had no luck, as part of the paddle broke off inside.
What in the world is this stuff? He thought. Curiosity got the better of him. With a finger, he plunged it inside. His finger sank, feeling nothing but the tar until it felt something else. It nearly sank more but he managed to slowly scoop it to the surface with his finger. It was a fin of a fish. Which one was hard to tell as black sludge dripped off its bones.
Something is clearly eating away at life. Most of this has come from the water. Did that monster poison the sea somehow? Why in the world would it have fallen from the ceiling forming into that monster. When it exploded, there was no trace. Archveil, it has to be related.
Tobias went downstairs to join Maxwell. The barrel in the middle of the room, bits of bone floated to the surface. Light shone through the damp wood of the building, faded as clouds passed over.
Maxwell went down stairs without saying a word. Unable to take his eyes off the tar.
Was this what the wolf was made of? No, Why would it have been made of this? He thought. To stay on task and focus on what was real was a challenge. Focused waned and battered at him constantly, like waves pounding on the shore. The hallucinations, or whatever was going on gave no help.
The old man was still carving a small wooden boat. Raising a brow at the distressed man he asked:
“Well how did it go up there, find anything out?.”
“ Yes actually. We have run into this before.There is a sickly sludge inside, how long has that been up there?
“Let me think for just a minute.” The old man scratched his brow.
“No longer than 2 or three days.” The boys had just brought them, and didn't mention anything un-ordinary.
So shortly before we got back home. We have only been back for a day. That creature came after. It appeared right before we docked. There is something here. Maxwell thought. He needed a way to get the tar off now. Instead he shook his hands off while the shopkeeper was occupied.
Maxwell let out a long sigh.
“Thank you for your time, I will make a call to come get this picked off and examined. There is not much more we can do here.”
“I will stay down here until it is picked up. No need to go having a heart attack at my age. The old man said cheerfully and went back to carving. “If you need anything else, I will be parked right here.”
“Thank you.” Maxwell replied.
Tobias gave the front door a good push that woke Onyx up as it cracked open.
Would rather bathe in a pile of turtle crap. Then deal with that smell.
“Let me make a call and get this barrel out of here.” Maxwell said.
Tobias said. To the beach he went. Arms over a rusting rail and staring down into the sand, the sound of Maxwell's voice drowning from the waves.
“Need to talk to Lydon to see if he has seen anything. We luckily have some things going in our favor. We need to find the source or cause of this sludge.” Tobias thought.
Sandy feet ignorantly danced, as people enjoyed the sun.
This was in the water. If there was just a little bit, did that affect anyone or thing that came in contact?
He had spotted Lydon making his way down the beach. Sunglasses, shorts, a t- shirt with a picture of a ripped shark on it. The unmissable spiky blonde hair, sticking up like a tree reaching for the sun. Well at least he is actually here and did not flake out for once. Cutting around the dock and into the sand, sinking beneath their feet.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
As the three got into view of each other, the pairs of three eyes all met each other. Sunglasses shifting up and down looking at the two. All three with stone cold poker faces. With one swift motion, Lydon dug a foot into the sand and waved his hands Onyx. No time was wasted as Onyx charged. Both of them exchange swipes at one another.
“That’s my boy ONYX.” Lydon yelled as they two gave each other a barrage of high-fives. Onyx was really getting riled up, which was honestly alright.
These two, what a sight. Tobias took a few steps and heard the crunching of feet behind him. Seagulls and skysurfers filled the sky. The hunt for food was on. Some dove into the sand and the shallow shore. Some got luckier than others. Crabs, worms and seashells plucked and hung in beaks. Others feathers flapped away furiously, as some had failed to steal from the unaware humans.
Onyx and Lydon stopped as everyone met. The meeting was set.
Pointing at both Maxwell and Tobias, Lydon said “Hey, brothers! How’s it going?
“Could be better.” Maxwell said. He had to cover his eyes from the sun beating down,
“Good to see you Lydon. Glad you got a break from your duties to help us.” Tobias said.
“No problem! So mr, detective and ranger have you found anything of import?. Lydon said.
“Yes and no.” Maxwell said, covering his mouth quickly.
“You alright there?”
Neck all scrunched up and eyes closed, Maxwell took a moment before opening them again.
“Yeah yea, fine.
“You looked like ya just had a ton of sea worms wiggle their way into your ears.
“After what we just smelt in the boat shack, I may have preferred that.”
“We found something. A barrel full of black sludge, with some dissolving fish parts. It was eating every bit of the fish. Did manage to scoop my finger in and pull out some bones. The wooden paddle did not fare well.” Tobias said.
“Sludge, sludge huh.” Lydon said. Clearly trailed off. Was impossible to tell what he was thinking behind those shades.
“Did you manage to catch yourself some seashells Lydon? Tobias asked.
Lydon pushed up his sunglasses in a cheesy fashion.
“Oh you bet I did, follow me guys.” It's not that far from here. Just out of the view from the docks.” Lydon said.
Hey you guys, question.”
Lydon turned around and put the sunglasses on his forehead. Stone faced, something was clearly bothering him.
“Have either of you felt, or seen anything?”
Tobias and Maxwell gave each other a glance of surprise and turned to face their friend. Lydon got the message.
“What happened to you?” Maxwell asked.
Lydon put his hands on his sides and dug his feet into the sand.
“Well this morning, I headed down to get some parts to finish up the custom harpoons for us. Has been a long time coming!
Maxwell interrupted with a laugh. “About time, we could have given them a workout by now.”
“I know I know, BALLISTIC isn’t all that great at giving us spare time for pet projects, ya know.” Lydon said.
“Anyhow on my way there, I stopped in Lepod to charge up. Stepped out and I kid you not guys, thought I was a goner right there. In that brief second between me getting out and my eyes looking to the ground and around me. There was nothing around me, just a wall of fog. I thought the Tulere Piscis had come for my thin bones. Something was clearly moving out there. Swore I saw those fun red and black colors dance behind the fog wall too.
“I started waving the charging rod around and yelled. Bring it on! Come take the meat off my bones if you can, coward! Heard voices yelling at me to shut up and be careful. Apparently the rod was sparking. Had a comment of going back to a mental institute throw in there. That was charming. Before all of that faded, I swore there was a huge mouth. With some good looking rows of teeth. It was gray and looked slimy from my distance.
“Sounds like something you would do with your eyes open, Lydon.” Maxwell said.
“I mean you're not wrong. Would try to overdrive someone's reactors on their ride to see how much power it could take before exploding. A good test for Ballistic Science.” Lydon said. Proud of himself he gave them a thumbs up.
“Don’t worry, I believe you.” Tobias said. Had something similar, not the same circumstances, but to make it short, a nightmare last night and an encounter earlier today. “
“Man, what did you SEE?” Lydon asked excitedly, raising his sunglasses.
“Some kind of beast, maybe from Archveil, maybe not. Was not the Tuelre that's for sure.”
“And what have you seen Max?” Lydon said. His glasses up on his forehead. Brown eyes gleaming from the sun in excitement. He loved surprises and crazy stories.
“A wolf. Also twice today. Clearly not a lack of sleep if we are all seeing something.”
“A wolf, The Tuelre and some strange monsters. Black sludge to top it all off. Would say we are getting closer to something.”
His back turned to them and placed his hand on a giant rock. Seaweed brushed through his hands. The rock smooth from the blanket of green over it. Lydon squeezed passed giant rocks. The side of the boat shack came into view. The water slows its course forming small pools around the rocks. The pattern zigzagging its way through.
Lydon stopped and knelt down rushing his hands through the sand. Tobias or Maxwell did not need to say anything as they clearly saw what was before them.
The grains of sand in front of them had been stained black. It was mostly in the area around the shack. Crept its way up the sides of the wooden planks holding the shack up. Some spots seemed to be bigger, like tumors. Dead animals littered the shore, just their bones remained.
“Wow, nice find, Lydon.” Maxwell said, impressed.
“I know, I know.” He held out his hands. “Maybe the two of us should switch jobs?”
Just like the barrel, some spots had bubbles that seemed to boil.
“Yeah, this is pretty disgusting.” Tobias said, hands scooping through the sand.
Easy to get our hands through. Odorless. Yet that sticky tar-like substance still remains.” Tobias thought.
“Can't tell if there are any signs of injury, don’t see bite or claw marks. Might be easier to just rule that out for now.”
“Just this part here Lydon? Nothing farther down? Maxwell asked. “No just here and up some on the shack.
“Could this have been the octopus, or even a squid Tobi?”
“No. I doubt it. They would have likely been eaten from the inside. With what this stuff is doing.” Tobias said. He scooped his hand through more sand and held it out to fall.
Maxwell did the same. He made a fist with it and squeezed it like a stress ball.
“It could be one of them…” Tobias trailed off and ducked around a giant rock.
Tobias sailed a hand along the mossy rocks that separated the land and beach that rode just below the shack. Onyx who had been strangely quiet trotting behind. Had he sensed something?
A dash of metallic smell filled Tobias' nostrils. He stopped dead in his tracks as his hand felt drenched. Onyx Let out a low rumbling growl. Blood, fresh blood splattered around the rocks, the free hand soaked in red.
Wincing at the sight and the smell, not as rough as the other spots nothing stood out. Strands of seaweed had been recolored, mixed in with the sand. The sand was not as dark as it was on the beach. A few patches here and there. Onyx slowly went around with his nose in the sand while digging away.
“Great, this is really great.” Tobias clapped the blood off his hands with sand. “Just bloody seaweed here, want a taste, Onyx?”
The question was ignored as he was occupied with a bundle of seaweed. Kneeling down and brushing away the coated seaweed, left more to be desired. Just piles among piles of it.
“There must be something here.” Tobias mumbled. “Might it be something on the rock faces?”
With a few strands of green atop the rocks covered in red, Tobias bloody and sandy fingers attempting to wipe away the blood. After a few minutes of trying to find something noteworthy, he stopped trying. Blood and stone. He was also feeling lightheaded at the sight. Feeling like he was going to add his personal touch to the stone.
“I’m going to tell those two. Stay with them, okay boy? Onyx was focused on one spot digging away.
“Hey guys back here!” Tobias called out.
“We’re coming!” yelled Lydon.
At the entrance to the small alcove Maxwell and Lydon rushed up to Tobias.
“What did you find?” Lydon said nervously, as he looked at his red hand.
“It must be bad? Your hands, what could possibly be back there.” Maxwell said.
“Take a look. I cannot make sense of it . Hopefully you can find something, Maxwell this is up your alley. I’m going to take a breather. Keep your hands off rocks.”
The two leaving his sight, Tobias made his way down the beach. His hands dabbled through the cool blue ocean water. With most of the blood gone, he stared out across the water, then back down the beach. The path along the boat shack was uneventful. No traces of anything abnormal once past the small alcove.
Maxwell and Lydon must still be back there checking it out. Will just wait until they finish up back there. Might as well get my feet wet, Tobias thought. He decided to put some distance from the alcove. Shoes and socks got tossed aside, feet met cold water.
With slow steps, he walked forward into the shallow beach, small gentle waves knocking against him. Smooth sand and rocks underneath. No one was on this side of the beach. Luckily everyone else was unaware of things happening. No boats on the horizon. A small group of skysurfers drifted down the shore, settling on the rocks. Letting his mind wander, he stared out to Lapsels end.
As the waves continued to wash over his ankles, Tobias thought back to the beginning of winter 2122. Trace amounts of snow remained on the ground, as light rain fell. Mud and water kicked up as he trekked up a short incline. A camera dangling around his neck. Just above Insmourn lay beyond the Desolation mountains.
Their majestic peaks towered into the sky and the surrounding areas. This area was known as “Sst o fereozan Omatharanui, or Seat of the Frozen.” Omatharanui was the god of winter and the lower cosmos. From ancient times till the present it has kept its name. Passed down from generation to generation, by the few living members of the Thara people. A message had reached his ears, from someone in the tribe. There had been a number of missing life stock as well as native bears. The bears usually parked themselves along the side of the river a few miles outside of the village in the morning to catch their meal. For weeks they were nowhere to be found. No excrement along the water's edge or into the woods. Some tracks came up but they were few and far between. He was instructed to go to the Stone watchers on the east side of the village. Why members of the village couldn’t do this and was asking for help was up in the air. They may have already sent a group into the forest instead.
One of the villagers had come to greet him. Not just anyone though, it was the chief of Thara.
He was adorned with many necklaces of bone and gems. A walking stick between his elderly wrinkled fingers. His eyes were blue and white. Like the snow and sky. Bears heads were shaped from the top of the walking stick. A very carefully crafted piece. Fur draped over his body. Most likely from a bear. A hood covered his head from the elements.
It is an honor to have been invited out this way.” Tobias said.“
“Welcome young one. It is an honor to have you here as well.” The elder said. His voice deep and wise.
“I’m sure you are going to ask why you are here. Come with me and I will explain.” The elder said. Snow kicked up and his fur skin boots stomped into the snow and made his way to their village. It was more modern than he thought. Log houses, smoke looming out of chimneys. The smell of salted meats and dinner filled the village. Tobias was a bit out of place not having fur around his person. Villagers noted and greeted him with a bow. No words with them were exchanged. With a light prod, the elder opened the door to his home. A modest one like the others. No one was fancier than the other. The walls held many candles and skin. A great wood oak table in the middle of the room.
The elder sat and motioned him to sit across.
“So Tobias, yes. Nice to finally meet you. Your mother and father helped us a great deal before they parted this world.” He said. With a clunk he propped his walking stick on the table.
Candles flickered on the table in front of the two, casting shadows.
Tobias sat in front of the elder. Then his mouth fell open at the news. He never knew this. Distance really divided them before they departed.
“Tell me. Do you still have the hilt?”
“The dragon hilt? Tobias said. Taken aback by surprise.
“I still have it. Not currently with me.”
“Good. Very good. It is made from the fragments of the Starlight Impact. Very powerful and will be needed against the machines. As well as the constant and natural change of the world too. Prepare yourself well.” The elder said. His wrinkles showed, with a smile.
Confusion racked Tobias' brain.
What did that have to do with today? I thought all the machines were in stasis.” He thought.
“I see you are confused. Don’t worry too much and focus on this task at hand.” The elder said reassuringly, taking a sip of water from a mug.
“Every animal in this mountain is sacred. The disappearance of the bears greatly disturbs us all. There has been less and less, of all the animals. It has gotten quieter around here. Only the winds echo through the valley.”
That is unfortunate and worry some. Nothing ups and leaves without a trace for no reason. Tobias thought. The animal skins around the room hung around the room, could have been the last of their kind.
“I am too old to explore myself. Other hunters have begun their search in the valley. I have a feeling you possessed what was needed. Just like your parents. Could I ask for help from your lineage once more?
“Of course. I will be glad to help. Doubt my lineage is all that great. We are just people, like any other.”
“Ahh but it is. You will eventually figure, just as your predecessors have done.”
“What did my parents actually do? I never knew. I was on my own.”
“They ascended the gateway to the frozen throne of Omatharanui. A frozen glacier to the shrine of our god. They made some repairs to the cracking stone, with some technology from your part of the world. This we did not mind. The stone greatly accepted and melded with it instantly. They did not threaten us or push us to leave ourselves, skinless in the snow. To be shackled to circuitry. Shortly after that certain life came back to the land. Streams renewed, animals throve once again. The balance, restored.”
Tobias reflected on this, ascending a mountain near the village. This area had no snow. Rain pounded at the earth, leaving muddy tracks.
Not many, if any people are allowed into Thara land. Though they are few in numbers and the mountains expand and dip into valleys as far as the eye can see, it is their land. This has been established between all peoples, and it has held true.
Every so often ancient civilizations attempted to muscle their way in and claim the land for themselves. It never worked out. No one knows how they repelled all the aggressors. Some say they had advanced technology, magic or help from the frozen god to squander destruction of the Thara people and all life residing in this sacred range.
As the rain began to fall harder, just ever so slightly, two stone figures sat a ways up the muddy trail. A quick glance over them showed one missing ahead, most likely a bear due to the claw marks. The other one perhaps of Omatharanui. It appeared to have wings, the rest had crumbled away. Deep grooves in the ground had caught his attention as they carved their way up hills.
I assume this is the spot. Tobias thought. The smell of rain surrounded the landscape. The clouds a dark blanket for the mountains.
For some reason they have abandoned this one. It is just about time for their hibernation. These tracks…not much to make of them.
Off to the side and straight back into the trees, the foliage got dense in a hurry. Brushing branches aside, water falling on his head. The path he chose, if you could call it one, was almost too hard to follow. With all the fallen trees it was hard to tell if anything was back here. He climbed over log after log. His clothes all but soaked. The cold creeping in. Rain beetles crawl along the fallen logs, some stripped of their bark. A pair of deer quietly rest on the forest floor enjoying the rain.
After the short detour he walked alongside the tracks and stopped in front of the stone watchers for a better look. He took the camera off his neck. Rain droplets rolling down the camera, slightly blurring the lens. With a light touch and a quick snap he took a photo.
Both of you have seen better days, that's for sure. Tobias said to himself. The broken stone all but lost to time. With a wide enough angle for the tracks, he snapped a few photos of them and headed up the hills.
Traces of what appeared to be ruins, high above the cliffs. Solemnly stood against the gray backdrop.
A pair of smaller, but similar tracks down by the watchers caught his attention. They looked to be leading into a cave. Tapping his jacket he felt what he needed there just in case.
Good, let's see what we have here. He thought.
He took careful steps into the cave. As a pair of bats flew out, screeching to the winds. He switched a flashlight on his jacket to a visibility setting just bright enough to see where he was going. Breath held, taking small steps inside, walking deeper in. No noise so far, save for the droplets of water falling somewhere in the darkness. The smell was damp, mixed with something else that could not be made out right. It was a bit repulsing.
The cave floor suddenly began to change color. The stale brown dirt began to turn red and it began to get slippery. Kneeling and taking a quick photo of the dirt, he bent down to touch it. Sliding the dirt between his fingers, it was not your typical red soil it seemed. It was much more watery. Like blood. It flowed thickly through his fingers as it dripped into the ground. With a gulp, he moved farther inside. With each step, it felt as though he was sinking further down.
“Going any further would not be the best decision Tobi.” He said to himself nervously.
Adjusting his light to the maximum setting, hoping not to awaken anything by it, his mouth fell open. He quickly covered it. Now he knew it was blood. Several bear heads were on display on the cave side Fur torn out and littered on the rocks. It got messy in here fast. With careful steps backward, He snapped photos as fast as he could.
A quick jolt of pain hit him as he turned around to the cave entrance. Nothing there. Then another one, right in the forehead. That one made him snap back.
Maxwell and Lydon stood on the beach. Lydon tossing rocks up and down in his hands.
”Are you alive over there. Day dreamer?” Lydon yelled out.
“Yea, yea I’m alive!” Tobias shouted, rubbing his forehead.