I went through the ruble of the old mining cave hoping to find some positive news. My leather shorts kept sticking to my thighs like crazy. I probably should of chose a better outfit I have to admit but I like leather what can I say.
Climbing over rocks and fallen stone I couldn’t help but think of what my parents said.
“Ana sweat heart, we can start a new life now since Dread is gone,” my mom was ranting all the way to the cave.
Dad managed to mumble in a few words, “Yeah, if he’s dead…”
I’m glad that I got out of the car and was looking around. The tension in the car was unbearable because it was true. What if Dread didn’t die? What if he managed to escape a life threatening situation, again? What would I do if any of this came true?
Feeling my hands start to tremble I gripped them tight and began to count. Every step I took I counted one to ten and when I reached to ten I started back at one. Moving across the ruble may have been easier if I wore sneakers instead of heels. To me heels were the comfiest things on the planet!
Reaching the end of the cave I sighed. Everything was crushed. The bed, mini fridge, desk, and lamp all buried under rock. The only thing that remained is the dreadful smell of decaying bodies and the blood painting on the walls.
Looking at the paintings I pondered why he was driven to insanity. And why did he have to do this? Not even my father could have helped this man. I shook my head and I walked back to the entrance. I couldn’t help but to hold myself as I walked off.
At the cave’s opening my dad gave me his oh-my-poor-baby look and opened his arms for me. Taking not a moment to think I ran to him in full speed. Crashing to his chest he held me tight, stroking my black hair and whispered gentle things into my ear.
I began to sob gently, “Dad..is he really *sniffle* gone? Will he *hic* ever hurt us again?”
I knew these were the hardest questions on the planet for my dad to answer. But I needed the security.
“I hope baby. I hope” that’s all he was able to say.
He kept his arm around me as we walked back to the car. This feeling in my stomach told me that I needed to look back at the cave one more time. But I couldn’t, I’m a wimp who would probably pass out at the sight.
Dad closed the door for me and I shuddered one last time holding my face in my hands. Maybe this was a new beginning for me. A new beginning for all of us.
