Behind My Shadow - Book Three

32. Find Your Peace Of Mind

The Labyrinth itself is hidden at the very foothills of Pleasance Island. The beach down here is only revealed at low tide and vanishes when the tide returns.

I borrow a horse from the stables to ride down here. The trail is so narrow and so steep, I almost instantly regret trying to ride a horse down here but my loyal steed seems more sure-footed than I first thought and we eventually make it down to the slender slip of beach revealed by the ocean waves. "Good boy," I affectionately stroke my horse's muzzle before I anxiously send him back on his way. The horse knowingly runs back up the sandy slope and disappears over the top of the mountain.

Now I'm all alone on the wet beach that's honestly more or less just a sandbar right now. I should've been down here sooner but gaining power at the Alice Shrine took more time than I had anticipated. I'm too grateful to complain though and now anxiously search the beach for any sort of door or entrance.

The tide is coming back in, the waves are already forming pools at my ankles.

Where is this Labyrinth supposed to be?

I thoughtfully take my Alice Amulet from my pocket and look it over. I wonder if this does anything. I gingerly step closer to the rough cliff face and gently press the stone necklace to the wall.

Nothing happens.

I scowl and tap the necklace against the rock.

Still nothing.

I heave a sigh and turn to face the ocean; it's steadily claiming more and more of the beach. Unbelievable. It's not enough that I have to compete in the Labyrinth, but I also apparently have to find it too. I roll my eyes.

I suddenly gasp when I notice the Amulet glowing in my hands. What is happening...? I look it over thoughtfully, when I turn away from the ocean though it stops glowing. I turn around again and watch as it lights up. So pretty... But weird. Why is it glowing?

I gasp as I look up at the full moon looming above the ocean. The moonlight makes it glow. OMG, I wonder if this means anything. I hold the Amulet over my head so it can still catch some moonlight as I turn to face the cliff face again. The light of the Amulet bounces off the rocks like a spotlight and now to my amazement, I watch as the lambent light illuminates a pattern delicately brushed over the cliff.

I widen my eyes with awe as I sweep the Amulet over the rest of the cliff. Most of these symbols just look like hieroglyphics, but now as I sweep the Amulet a little more slowly down the middle of the cliff face, I see a tall glowing archway that has a Jabberwocky silhouette above it.

OMG, could this...could this be the entrance?

I cautiously press closer. When I put my Amulet back in my pocket, all of the details brushed over the rocks vanish but that's okay. I know where the door is. I put my hands against the smooth stone where I saw the archway and now push.

To my relief and amazement, the stone begins to slide in, shaking the surrounding rocks slightly so a veil of dust and sand falls over me.

I step back in awe as a long, blindingly dark tunnel rapidly forms before me. A cool breeze rushes out to greet me and from deep within the darkness, I faintly hear music playing softly.

Now yes, this is creepy. But no, I don't have a choice, so I cautiously creep down the narrow hallway, leaving the silvery moonlight and the gently rumbling ocean far behind me as I pioneer forward.

I bump into a wall a moment later. I yelp and rub my forehead briefly before I smooth my hands along the rough, rocky wall. I find another tunnel and follow this down till I hit another wall. Ow. Damn it, it really is a maze in here.