I'm Done Holding Back

Chapter Fifty-Eight: Key

     "I'm so happy the Angst didn't take your memories, Mommy!" Opal says, hugging Cassandra.

     Cass smiles. "Me too, kiddo. I fought hard to keep it from stealing them, and surprisingly I won!"

     "I don't know what I would've done if your mom forgot all about me," Varian says, leaning his head against Cassandra's while gently stroking Opal's hair. "I know I would've been beyond devastated."

     "So what was under the fake rock?" Opal asks. "Another tunnel?"

     "Yep, but thankfully the last one we would have to go through on this journey," Cassandra says.

    "It had all led to this," Varian adds. "And we were not truly prepared for what we would find..."

Varian gazes at the fake rock, and then he pulls out the journal pages. "Guys, I know why this map didn't make any sense. It's not a map of the land, it's a map of underground!"

"So what are the spiraling 'rivers'?" Abhu asks.

"A drainage system, maybe?" Varian suggests. "I don't know. Guess we'll have to find out."

"For now, how are we going to get into the hatch?" Hugo says. "All the other entries required an element. What's left?"

"Maybe there's a clue around here somewhere," Varian says, glancing around.

Lance begins to snicker, and Adira rolls her eyes. When Varian gives them a quizzical look, they point to Cassandra.

"Hey geniuses," she says, a smug smirk on her face as she opens the hatch door. "It's already unlocked."

     "Odd," Varian and Hugo say in unison. Hugo seems slightly embarrassed, but Varian can't help smiling at Cass. She climbs down into the hatch, followed by Abhu, Adira, and Hugo. But before Varian can enter, Lance holds him back.

     "So... You and Cassandra," Lance says. "That's new."

     Varian's mouth is agape. "Wha— How do you know?"

     "Oh please, it's so obvious!" Lance said. "And also, Hugo told me."

     "Of course he did..." Why isn't he surprised? "Just be cool about it, okay? Discussing it around others makes Cass uncomfortable."

     "What, like she's ashamed of you?" Lance blurts out. "Oh, not that I'm saying you're someone to be ashamed of! I meant, I understand feeling like someone is ashamed of you."

     "Would you stop saying 'ashamed'?!" Varian says. "Cass is not ashamed of me!" Or, at least, he doesn't think she is... "She's just a very private person."