Dome of Atlantis

Chapter 29

     When we stepped into the portal our bodies were enveloped with an opal-like glow. I felt as if Iwalked through a wall of calm water, but was able to breathe.

     Once we stepped through the portal everything was silent. It was dark except for a little light in the distance. I pulled the backpack on my back tighter against me before we headed to the light.

     I realized we were leaving a cave once I heard a light wind whistle against the cave entrance. Moss and overgrown trees hid the entrance of the cave.

Edric grabbed a handful of vines covering the entrance and pushed them aside for me to enter a new area.

Cool wind bit at my face once I was no longer in the shelter of the cave. I was thankful we wore warm clothes to protect us from the wind and cold. Pine tree roots littered the ground and their green tops towered over us.

"We need to make it uphill or climb a tree to look for signs of life before we get lost," I told Edric.

He smiled and pointed at a tree in the distance. "I'll climb that one and take a look around," he told me.

"We have to be careful for wildlife too."

My neck ached from looking high up at the tree.

Edric already started his ascent and stopped climbing when the wind would cause the tree to sway.

I looked up to see him point at something in the distance. I kept his direction in my head while he made his way back down the tree.

"There are little wooden structures that way," Edric told me when he finished his descent.

I smiled happily at him. We need to find a phone, talk to Max's friend Harold, go to visit Edric's mother's old place, see snow and then save the others on the island, I thought to myself.

     The hike down to the cabins came quicker than I anticipated. A gift shop stood in the midst of the little cabins. I looked back at Edric.

     His pointy ears were pretty noticeable. "If anyone asks about your ears tell them you're a cosplayer," I told him.

     "A cosplayer?"

     "Yes. I don't think they will, but just in case."

     The bell on the door jingled when we walked in the store. Thankfully someone stood at the desk.

     The thin lady smiled at me.

     I smiled back at her and let out a loud sigh. "I'm so sorry, we got lost out here on our hike and are wondering if you have a phone we could borrow?"

     "You got lost? Were you trying to hike up the volcano?" she asked me.

     "Volcano?"

     "Mt. Saint Helens."

     "Is that where we got lost?" I spoke out loud.

     "Are you ok? Should I call an ambulance?"

     "I'm ok," I reassured her and continued, "I have one of my friend's number's here and just need a phone to call him to pick us up. Also, this may seem weird, but do you happen to know the exact coordinates we're at?"

     "It's written right here on this map." She handed me a brochure with the campsite map and coordinates she pointed at. "The phones around the corner, feel free to use it. Do you need water or anything?"

     I smiled in relief. I don't have money on me, but thank you."

     "Free of charge. Go ahead and use the phone while I get you and your friend some water."

    I smiled at her generosity and walked over to the phone.

     When I picked up the corded phone I was greeted with a dial tone. I punched in Harold's number.

     A scruffy voice answered on the other line.

     "Hi Harold, this may be weird, but Max told me to give you a call and tell you grapes and strawberries."

     The line was silent for a bit. "Is he alright?" A voice finally came through.

     "Yes, he's safe, but me and a few friends need help and he said you have a helicopter than can help out."

     "Absolutely. Tell me what you need honey," he said gently.

     I explained where Edric and I were at, along with Max and Felix's coordinates.

     I hung up the phone gently and walked over to Edric.

     He was leaning against a post in the building . His lean arm muscles were visible through the silhouette of his sleeves.

     I hugged my arms and reminisced on the kiss we shared on the ship.

     "Are you feeling ok? Your face is a bit flushed?" Edric asked me.

     I blushed a bit more. "I'm fine," I stuttered once I realized he had been watching me for a while. "I just called Harold and he's on his way to help us.

     I walked back to the lady at the front and asked her if we'd be able to spend time in the store while we waited for our ride.

     "Of course, take all the time you two need. It's a bit chilly out there," she responded.

     A sofa sat near a window. I called Edric over to it and we sat down.

     Edric asked me all the questions a two year old would ask about a store until we heard the sound of chopper blades splitting the air outside.

     Edric sat up and held his hand out for met to take.

     I put my hand daintily in his and stood up.

     After thanking the lady we headed outside and were greeted by Harold.

     "Someone call for a ride?" he asked us.

     I chuckled and showed him Edric's mother's address. "Thank you so much Harold," I told him.

     "Ah, enough with formalities. Any friend of Max's is a friend of mine."

     Harold helped us in his chopper and we headed off to find out more about Edric's mother.

     The address led us to another mountainous region. There lay a building that looked like a castle.

     "Was your mom royalty?" I asked Edric.

     "All she said was that she missed it back home. I don't think she mentioned anything about royalty," Edric replied.

     Harold whistled when the helicopter touched the ground in front of the castle.

     "It alright if I drop you two off here for a few days? I have a buddy that lives a couple miles south of this spot. I can give him a call to pick you two up this evening and I'm sure he'll let you stay with him til I get back from getting Max and Felix."

     I smiled. "I'm sure that is perfectly fine. Thank you so much for being such a big help Harold," I told him.

     Edric smiled at him and nodded.

     Harold smiled back. He dismissed us and mentioned that his buddy's name was Phillip.

     We stepped out of the helicopter and headed for the magnificent castle that stood before us.

     Once the helicopter lifted off the ground and left we headed for the entrance.

     The door opened before we set foot on the front cobblestone before the door.

     "We've been expecting the two of you," a well-groomed gentleman told us.

     He wore a black suit and tie. His peppered hair showed he was older than he actually looked. His smile crinkled his eyes and he led us inside where a few other men in suits were sitting at the table.

     My heart caught in my throat once I realized what was happening.