Millions of In-Worlds

Chapter 13: Stinky Pants

Mornin' never comes. The sun don't rise. The rooster never crows in the dark belly of a cave. I only discovered it was time to get up when Ren said, "Rise and Shine. We need to get moving."

Shine? I thought, under these circumstances I could barely rise, and the only shinin' thing was gonna be was the flashlights and headlamps. Absolute darkness really messes with yer mind. My first reaction was, Help, I've gone blind! But that was before I realized where I was and before Ren switched on his headlamp.

Talk about eye shock. That sudden bright spot was like a flash bulb goin' off. I had ghost orbs. Thank goodness it was still warm from the hockey puck sized heater Ren ignited the previous night. Ha, day or night what does it matter down here? It would feel pretty good puttin' on my protective cave explorer clothes.

I've been on campin' trips it was always cold in the morning. If it wasn't your assigned chore to build the campfire you could stay in your toasty sleepin' bag until the fire was big enough to get ya warm. The distance from warm sleepin' bag to hot fire was much too far away. Somehow ya gotta get on your night frozen clothes, socks, shoes, and scoot out like ya was chased by a wasp. Ahh. If ya stand too close to the fire for too long, though—which no one could help doin'—yer jeans would commence smolderin'. Put your hands in the pockets and the brass rivets burned your fingers. Ouch, it hurt just thinkin' 'bout it.

My canteen was nearly empty. We couldn't turn back and go Topside to replenish our supplies. I asked, "Freck how's your water holdin' up?"

She shook her canteen. "I'm a might low." She was scrunching her eyebrows together like she always does when she's worried, or thinkin' real hard.

Ren handed us sumpin' that looked like a chocolate candy bar with Rice Crispy bumps. He explained, "Water is not a problem. We will be passing lots of pools and streams on our way. You will be able to fill your canteens regularly. Before you ask, those bars I gave you are your breakfast. You will be surprised at how they satisfy hunger and give you energy."

"Will the water be fit to drink?" I wanted to know. Poisoned water killed the farmer's cow, as my gramma used to say when she was warnin' me to exercise caution.

Freck was sniffin her breakfast bar. She nibbled a corner off, chewed, and smiled. "This is really good."

Ren answered my question, "Running water is usually safe to drink, but just to make sure...he reached into his backpack and pulled out a small white tube that looked like a pill bottle...we each have purifying tablets with us. Before filling your canteens just drop one in, and shake thoroughly."

Just another Keeper miracle. They say they get all their inventions from humans. Their Gardener given job is to record and preserve all knowledge learned on earth, so's they've benefited from man's lost inventions. These purifying tablets could've been thought up in ancient times, or came from UFO visitors, or maybe a smart scientist created it but couldn't find anyone to produce, or sell them. Tons of mankind's knowledge has been lost Topside. Praise the god they call Gardener. Every advancement happenin' on Earth is stored by the Keepers of Knowledge. Sumday, when people is ready, the Keepers will give humans access. It can't happen now because no one trusts anyone especially different races. They wouldn't trust the Keepers either. Anyone from another world would't be accepted—no way. 'Stead they'd prob'ly try to kill them all, and destroy the KP (knowledge pool). It's awful, but not inconceivable. That's man's first resort ta dealin' with sumpin' different.

We got up. Freck didn't look when Ren and I were dressing. I don't know why not. It ain't like were naked as jaybirds. All of us was wearin' thermal long johns under our clothin' and that's what we slept in. She made us turn around when we were finished so she could dress in privacy. It's a girl thing, I supposed.