Connection

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Cliff

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Chapter Twenty-Eight: Cliff

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The snow storm raged around him. Every bit of him was cold and though he was wearing three layers, it felt as if he was completely exposed.

He trudged after Grez with Jean close on his heels. He was still processing the information he'd been told but found himself with a sudden urge to move faster. Why waste so much time walking when so many things that were happening relied purely on this?

With a great, heaving breath he picked up his pace. Sweat glued his shirt to him and mixed with the icy snow in an uncomfortable sensation.

"How much longer," Jean panted from behind Cliff. Grez, who'd gotten quite far in front of them, stopped and caught his breath.

"Not much. Only a few minutes," he answered then continued through the snow-covered forest. Cliff and Jean exchanged an exasperated glance before continuing on.

Cliff was beginning to wish that there was a better way to make this journey rather than forcing their way through mountains of snow. But he knew, unless there was another portal leading right to their destination, that they hadn't any other means of moving quicker.

Within minutes, as Grez had said, they stumbled upon a cave whose mouth was so buried in snow that if they hadn't stopped, Cliff would have thought it was only a sharp ascension in the landscape around him.

They skidded to a halt and Grez watched the cave with irresolute eyes.

"It would be very dangerous for them to stay in there with this snow," Grez remarked. There was a moment of silence, then he decided, "It's worth it to check, though."

The three of them moved through the small opening of the cave with ungraceful movements. As they entered, the caves passages widened greatly. Cliff pushed himself off the uneven ground and stood, his head nearly brushing the ceiling.

Grez led as they pushed further into the endless darkness of the cave. Even inside the cave, the oppressive cold lurked, freezing any bit of water in sight.

Cliff's boots molded over the sharp rock beneath him as they moved. Jean grabbed the folds of his coat to steady herself. Grez stayed close to them to ensure they were protected but also moving along the right path.

There was no sign of anyone; no distant lights, no hushed voices, no supplies left. In fact, the only thing that lingered was the faint smell of mildew in the air.

"If they were here, wouldn't we have seen them by now?" Cliff asked. His voice reverberated off the walls of the cave and he heard a sigh from Grez join in the waves of sound.

"I suppose so, but they were always good at concealing themselves. Small rooms in the back corner of caves were always they're favorites. We've only been here a few minutes and it will only take one or two more to get there. Just hang tight."

And they did. Plunging deeper and deeper into the dark cave, they continued to move. Grez was true to his word and soon enough they passed through a small slit along the rock walls and entered into a cavernous room.

Grez fumbled along the wall until dim lights wheezed to life and the room was illuminated. Mats lay discarded on the floor and various necessities of life had been left haphazardly around the room. A few bits of clothing were hung on the wall, but no shocked captors or bloody Charlotte greeted them.

With a sinking heart, Cliff watched Grez look at the room for a moment then mutter, "We knew this wouldn't be easy. We have to keep trying."

He turned the lights off again as they slipped into the main section of the cave and began the walk back. They reached the front with labored breaths, only to find a small ray of light piercing through the darkness.