The Last Emerald

Chapter Six:

Soon Clara declared that it was time to go back to the hotel, and we all rushed out into the cooler fall air. “Do you think we’ll be ready for the mines tomorrow?” I asked quizzically as we all got into Easton’s van.

“Probably not. I’m planning to wing it, mostly. It’s not like we’ll get lost, right? We’ll have the maps, and our cellphones.” She replied softly, biting her lip in concentration.

“Is Lukas going in with us?” I asked Odessa. She shook her head.

“No. He’s doing something.” She said, waving her hand dismissively. I shrugged.

“So it’ll be only me, you, and Odessa tomorrow?” I mused, chuckling quietly.

“What?” She asked as I buckled in next to Lukas.

“You guys act all big and tough, but we all know who the brave ones here.” I teased, playfully elbowing Lukas in the side.

“Sure, sure.” He grumbled. Clara laughed, but there was hardness behind it that I couldn’t interpret.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing!” She said quickly. I raised an eyebrow and she sighed. “I’ll tell you later.”

I nodded and relaxed into the cool leather seats. We drove into the hotel parking lot seconds later and we all hopped out.

Nobody said anything as we walked into the lobby. Once we got to the elevators Clara pulled me aside.

“We’ll be right up.” She announced, pulling me forcibly to the corner of the room. I protested slightly as she yanked me in front of her.

“Callie, I’ve got news.” She muttered, looking around, as if to check and see if anyone was listening to us.

“What?” I asked.

“You know those hieroglyphics? The ones that Brennen and I were looking at?” She asked, shakily. I instantly became concerned. What could be causing my sister so much grief?

“I could read them. Word for word. In English.” She said, bracing for my reaction.

“You’re sure?” I asked, squinting my eyes at her.

“I’m positive Callie. And one of them… well… it talked about you.” She replied, putting a hand on my shoulder.

“What? Clara please tell me you haven’t gone completely delusional.” I chuckled. Her face seemed to get darker by my reaction.

“Do you think I’m joking? Do you?” She sneered. I leaned back a little at her outburst.

“Calm down, ok? I believe you.” I assured her. She took a deep breath.

“Callie, I don’t know what to do.” She murmured, her green eyes filling with tears.

“Tell me, what did it say?” I asked. She looked down.

“It was a prophecy. And it talked about three girls going into the mines. And I think that it’s us. It said that secrets would be revealed in the mines, and it could destroy them. It said that we’d find the emerald, but we might let it get into the wrong hands.” Clara paused.

“Like Eli? We’re not supposed to give it to him?” I asked. She shrugged.

“All I know is that those scrolls said that we might give them to the wrong guy.” She replied.

“What are we supposed to do? Clara, this isn’t normal. Are you sure that you knew what it said?” I asked again. She nodded wildly.

“Yes, Callie. I’m not hallucinating, I promise.”