Cave of Dreams

Into the Cave

Chapter 2 – Into the Cave

Marcus continued along the stream carefully. He traced his hand along the sides of the cave for guidance. The screams continued to echo loudly, providing Marcus with some sense of direction in the pitch darkness. The cave was damp and smelled of mold, along with the distinctive odor of burning kerosene. Water now rose to Marcus’s ankles, with the rockslide blocking the flow of the stream.

In the distance a small light pierced through the side of the cave. Marcus was excited to see a possible exit, but he was motivated more by his desire to find the source of the screams. As he neared the light, he realized that it was shining through a thin crack, just wide enough to see through. A second voice was now faintly audible.

“Quiet you. No one can hear you. Your screams are merely a nuisance.” The voice sounded raspy and distinctly male. Marcus was unable to locate the mysterious man, but he could make out what appeared to be a bookshelf lined with flasks of colorful liquids. The screaming continued, but quickly ceased after a loud thud. “I said SHUT UP! You don’t want me to feed you to the Shakaril, do you? He hasn’t tasted fresh meat in over a week.”

“Where is Bradin? I want to know he’s safe.” Said the girl, breathing heavily between words. She coughed deeply. Her voice was not that of a little girl, as Marcus has suspected, but rather that of a grown woman. 

“He’s safe in Grendal’s care. He will be released as soon as you tell us where the amulet is.” It was now clear that the voice was not human. 

“I’ve already told you! I didn’t see where they put it, I was already in Yalador.”

“Don’t you dare lie to me little missy!” Another loud thump sounded through the crack. “I was in Yalador that night and you were certainly not there!” There was a long pause while the man waited for a response. “Fine. Don’t talk. I hope the Shakaril enjoys his meal.” The light went out, and Marcus found himself in utter darkness once again. However, it was not the darkness that scared him the most, it was the water slowly rising up his leg. Marcus had a fear of the water ever since he was a young child, when he witnessed a major accident.

As Marcus kept wading through the water, the walls of the cave came closer together, allowing him to support himself with one hand on each side. The current of the stream began to get stronger, making it difficult to stand. The stress became too much, causing Marcus to turn around toward the entrance. On his way back, however, he tripped over a large rock and slammed his head onto the cave floor.

He suddenly awoke in a strange room that looked something like a dentist’s office. There were strange instruments sitting on a table against the wall, and he lay on a reclining chair in the center of the room. Marcus tried to get up, but he found himself to be strapped tightly to the chair. A young man wearing a doctor’s uniform entered the room with a smile. “Ah Marcus! I’m so glad you’re awake. That was a pretty nasty fall, but we stitched you up as good as new.”

20 years ago –

“You know Marcus, I think we should go fishing together. It would be great father-son time.” Marcus’s father was a heavily built man. He had a bald head and thick eyebrows.

“Dad, I don’t like fishing! I want to keep painting! I’m almost done with my painting of Charlotte.” 

“Son, you paint too much. I saw your last painting, and it was okay, but you will never make a career out of it.”

“And I will make a career out of fishing?” Marcus’s father stared at him sternly. He never yelled, but it was obvious when he was angry.

“Please Marcus, I just want to spend some time with my son. Is that really so wrong?”

“I’m sorry dad but I don’t want to go to the lake. It scares me.” He said this quietly, embarrassed to let his father know about his fear.

“Scares you! Ha! Who would’ve known my boy is scared of a lake! What is it Marcus? Afraid the fish are going to eat you? I’ve never heard of something so silly in my life!”

“No dad. I…I can’t tell you.”

“Can’t tell your own father? What are you hiding from me Marcus? I’ll give you ten seconds to tell me." 

“Really, I can’t tell you!” Marcus’s was becoming more agitated.

“Six, Five, Four…”

“Dad! Please stop!” He was now shouting at the top of his lungs. 

“Three, Two, One”

“NOOOOOO!” His cry was loud enough to hear down the street. His father grabbed him by the arm and pulled him close.

“That’s it, I’m taking you fishing and that’s final!” He dragged Marcus to the car and threw him in the passenger seat. “If you ever talk back to me like that again, you won’t walk away without a bruise.” He backed out of the driveway and started driving to the lake.