Through the Tunnels Below

Chapter 3

It was a misty, foggy morning, the sun wasn't yet visible, but it still lit up the country side with light. Birds chirped and trilled everywhere around Eli. The dew wet his boots and the mist made his shirt moist, but he didn't care, in fact he loved it. He entered the forest with all manner of creatures scurrying, bounding, and flying out of his way. He reached the clearing and sat down. He was obviously the first one there. He and his friends, dating all the way back to childhood, were helping to clear some of the forest for Jacob Sarcome's new house. He thought he might as well get to work, so he started on one of the huge marked trees. He was about half way through it, when he heard metal against metal.

"What? Metal inside a tree? That is impossible!" he said aloud. Eli struck again, and again there was that pinging-scraping sound of metal against metal. Then he saw it. It was a square, smooth (except for the markings he made with his axe) surface, and it had the appearance of a box. Eli reached out and grabbed it. It slid comfortably out. It had a lid but he couldn't get it open. It had a very complex design on the lid; two dragons facing each other with the tips of their claws touching and their tails entwined. Eli went and piled leaves over it under a bush, so it was not visible. Then he went back to his work; mind spinning. Soon everyone else came to help him with the trees and he worked hard and concentrated, but the metal box was always of his mind. Later that day when everyone went home, Jacob stayed behind with Eli for a talk, which they did quite often. Eli told him the whole story from beginning to end. Jacob was enthralled and asked to see the mysterious box. Eli showed him, but made him promise not to tell anybody. He promised and they both went their ways.

*******

Professor Abraham scratched behind his ear while he waited for the receiver to pick up.

"Hello?" said a rough, raspy voice.

"Hello Spike. This is Professor Abraham."

"Yes Professor, what can I do for you?"

"I want you to send a message to every one of my employees in Virginia, to look all around and find a metal box with dragons on the top. I've found Herald Trimon's journal, it says where the general area of the box is, what it looks like, and how it is almost impossible to open without knowing how, and I don't. Anyway, tell my employees to look for it in Harser Wood. And I'll give them full permission to steal it if someone has it. Thank you, good bye."

*******

Eli was walking home trying to hide the bulge in his pants with his axe. He reached his home and opened the door. The same thing happened like the day before; all the children left their various amusements and ran toward him with hugs and questions. Over the dining room table Eli broke the news.

"I think I have found a treasure."

"What?" They said in unison.

"Do you want to see it for your selves?" They all nodded. He walked to his room and grabbed the box; which he had put there when he was getting dressed. He brought it back to them and set it on the table; everyone gasped.

"I can't open it, but I suppose there is a way."

"Where did you find it?" Enoch asked.

"Inside of a tree."

"How is that possible?" Asked Anna.

"Well my guess is that he cut a hole in the tree, put the box in and replaced the bark so no one could find it." By this time Nathan had finished his food, and had got permission to be excused.

"Dad, can I look at the box please?"He asked

"Sure. Here." Eli said handing the metal box to him.

"Thanks." Nathan said, taking it.

The night grew long as everyone lounged on the couch and began to get sleepy. Just when they were drifting into slumber:

"Oh my gosh, guys! I did it!" Cried Nathan.

"Did what?" asked Enoch.

"I opened it! I opened the box!" he said with a look of disbelief at himself.

"What?! How did you do it?" asked Eli, jumping out of his chair.

"I pushed the two ends of the Tails away from each other." Nathan said staring wide eyed at the loose lid. Eli came over and took it. He took a deep breath and slid it off. Everyone in the room watched as Eli's face, filled with wonder, turned to disappointment as he took out one little piece of paper.

"It says: 'In Virginia a treasure lies,
only I have seen it with my own eyes,
under the buildings, fields and under the road,
under the wasteland where nobody goes,
under the city of Summersville,
under grass flowers and under hills,
right under the boulder where lies my home,
under the caverns you must roam.
Now only the trees and I know,
under the mountains and through the tunnels below'

"Dads that's got to be Harold Trimon's treasure!" Enoch exclaimed.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Nathan asked, with a befuddled look on his face.

"Well it's talking about a treasure that is under the ground." Enoch said, still trying to sort it all out himself.

"Well, I don't know about you guys, but I'm going to find this treasure." Eli said, getting more exited every moment.

"Dad, but how?"

"I'll ask Jacob if I can get a few days off, and I'll look for it." He paused and turned to Nathan. "Can you make a copy of this please?"

******

Jacob Sarcome was walking down the road when he met a man walking out of the woods toward him. He lifted his hand in greeting, the man walked closer.

"I have a question." the man said finally.

"Yes?" Jacob asked.

"Have you seen anything out of the ordinary in these woods, like a metal box or something?"

"Yes! Eli Mayron..." Jacob nodded eager to tell the amazing story of Eli's findings. Then he remembered that Eli made him promise not to tell. "Oh, right never mind. It was just a square piece of wood he made into a box." he said hoping that the man didn't see through his last-minute lie. "Is that all?" he asked innocently.

"Yes, thank you for your time, goodbye!"

Hey everyone! Thanks for reading Chapter 3! Thank you for your continual support.
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