Dweller of the Cave

Six

Cold grass and dirt touched my back and neck. I felt frigid air all around me. I gripped onto a patch of flowers.

My body felt empty, full of nothing but air. Almost ethereal.

I jolted up and realized I was completely dry.

Despite the dirt and grass, everything else resembled a chapel hallway made of rocky stone. The night blue walls stretched for half a mile down. And stood at an indefinite height, fading into space. Shooting stars danced across the sky. White light speckled the ground.

"Hello?" My voice echoed. "Hey! Where am I?"

"Bythesea..."

The deep, earthy voice I heard before arose from every direction.

A tall figure drifted from the end of the hall and towards me. A shimmering wine mantle cloak rippled behind him. Thin pearl white horns curled atop his head. As he got closer, I saw his face.

A normal face, besides the white voids for eyes. But I couldn't process it... how celestial it was.

"Where is this?" I asked. "Who are you?"

"The vessel of your wishes." his voice fell to normal volume.

"What wish? I didn't make a wish."

"Then what shall you call those?"

He pointed to the shooting stars above.

"Angry rocks," I muttered. "Look, I don't believe in philosophy."

"Astrology?"

"Whatever the stupid word is."

"Bythesea, this is strange to ask, but why are you angry? I have done nothing."

He had a point. I took a deep breath and opened my ears. Forming a fist, he flicked his wrist. A golden glow appeared in his palm.

"Is that a wish?" I asked. "Can I hold it?"

"Oh, Bythesea," he said. "You sound so naïve. Now close your eyes, please. I command you."

I didn't have a choice. My eyes shut, and wouldn't budge open no matter how much I wanted them to. The Man pressed two cold fingers on my forehead.

The world disappeared around me.

My pillow and covers hugged me. I opened my eyes to see Mom, Mandy, and Andy standing around my bed. A warm hand felt my head. I turned my head to the right.

"Griffin...?" I whispered.

I noticed blue curtains on either side of the bed. Dim light fell on me. A man in a white coat with a stethoscope stood next to the bed. He shooed Griffin's hand from my head.

"Mom! Andy!" I exclaimed. "What happened?"

"Calm down, Mr. Bythesea," the doctor reassured. "You fell into a pond and nearly drowned. Luckily, your friends called for help. Your heart rate has returned to normal and there seems to be no further issues. We found you in a cave across Murderkill Pond. Do you remember this event?"

"In a cave? I..."

"Are you alright, sir?"

"I-I remember everything, doc."

"Good." He turned to my mom. "You may leave whenever you like."

He waved to me and walked out the room.

"Can I go home?" I faltered. "We have school tomorrow."

"About that," Griffin hesitated. "Tomorrow's just a pep rally. The 30th. It's been two days."

"Two days? What the hell was I doing the whole time?"

"Sleeping. The doctors were confused, too. They wanted to wait till you woke up to discharge you."

"Look on the bright side!" Mandy stammered. "You didn't miss much. And Labor Day weekend's coming up."

Mom checked her watch and whistled to herself. She clapped her hands (which Andy mimicked). "Alright! Let's go home, everybody. "