Kong: Skull Island- Beneath the Surface

Chapter 5

JAMES fell into a deep nightmare on the plane. Bugs were crawling all over him. Not small ones. Huge ones. They were crushing him their scaly legs ripping through his clothes and piercing his skin. He heard someone screaming and realized it was Masons.

He tried to move but his legs were pinned to the ground by some invisible force. Sitting up he squinted to see whose cry it was. To his horror he saw Mason, tears down her face blood seeping through her shirt; it was everywhere. She was looking at something he couldn't see terror slapped to her face.

Her beautiful face.

Someone touched his shoulder. He had them pinned to the floor in five seconds flat. He blinked a couple times his terrible dream clearing from his mind. Realizing he was kneeling on Jin; who was cursing him; he quickly got off. Rubbing his face.

"What the HELL!?"

"I am so sorry..." He tried to grab her arm to help her but she swatted him away. She was rubbing her back and face at the same time.

"DAMN! I just wanted to tell you WE'RE HERE!" She winced. "Ow. HERE. HERE!" She glared, then limped back to her seat. Bo and Garret were just looking at him shaking their heads.

Conrad slumped back in his seat and slapped his face. Looking out the window he watched as the plane began to land in North Korea. There were mountains with tight valleys in between. Greenery dominated the scene while rain sprinkled the earth.

They were forced to land in wide open field. Hopefully the Korean Government didn't know they were there yet. The pilot gave them currency and a radio. It was humid but warm. He could already feel the mosquitos swarming him.

"Hong Dong Chet is north of here by about three miles. Right through those mountains. You can't miss it." The pilot told him.

"Why's that?" Conrad asked as he slung a large backpack over his shoulder.

"Because the locals believe it to be filled with monsters. They've hung charms and statues all over the place. You'll know it when you see it. Sorry I couldn't get you any closer."

"Lets just hope the monsters aren't real." James said as he jabbed the clip back into his pistol.

He thanked the pilot and turned to his comrads.

"Are you all armed?" He asked. Bo patted his leg, Garret nodded and Jin swung her AK47 around holding it like it was a baby. James nodded. "Good. We're going to need them."

"Yeah maybe against you." Jin raised an eyebrow. Her cheek was beginning to swell."

"Sorry about that." He apologized. She scoffed and held up a hand. "Alright our target is three miles into those mountains. We're looking at wild cats, bugs, and snakes, large ones. So be alert."

"Alright then, lets move!" Bo called and started walking. He waved goodbye to the pilot and popped a piece of gum in his mouth. Garret followed, then Jin, James took the back. Every one was wearing a backpack filled with flashlights, food, water, and rope.

As they began their journey the rain started to fall harder and harder, By the base of the mountains they were soaked through and fighting their way through sticky mud. They were all grateful for the large canopy trees to give them relief from the moisture.

"Its kind of pretty out here." Bo commented as they took a rest.

"I wish it felt pretty." Jin snorted.

"Your just jealous." Garret smiled.

"Fat chance."

James stood after taking a long drink of water. Come on, we can't be far now. She's depending on us. He threw the water bottle aside and marched ahead.

. . .

The entrance to the cave was as creepy as he thought it would be. Ugly statues and dolls hung around the trees and by the entrance, which was mostly covered in rocks. Korean characters were plastered all over the place on pieces of wood and rocks.

"What do all these signs say Jin?" He asked.

"Basically the normal "stay away" Turn back or certain death" kind of thing. That one is interesting. It says your soul will be ripped from your body." She pursed her lips.

"Pleasant." Bo raised an eyebrow.

"Bullet casings; army boots; a little bit of blood." Garret said. He was kneeling on the ground touching the earth. "A fight definitely happened here.

"So either she's in there. Or they captured her." Jin stood up. "Your girl might not even be here."

Conrad didn't say anything for a moment. He just observed. Everything faded away. He wasn't there with his team, he was in the exact moment everything went south for Mason.

He could see it clearly.

She was trapped. They started shooting. She sent the radio message. Over there. She wouldn't run towards the bullets. No, she'd run into the cave. So whose blood was on the ground? Right. The old man she was with. It was his blood.

"Conrad... Conrad.... Conrad-" He heard his name. Suddenly he was back in reality. They were all staring at him like he was a fungis.

"No. She's definitely in there." He stated.

"Now how exactly do you know that?" Bo looked skeptical his hands on his hips.

"It's just a... gut feeling."

"So you wanna go in some nasty-ass cave cause you got some sorta stomach ache? No way brother, aint no way." He waved his hand. "Yo' crazy."

"You don't want to come with me; fine." He looked him dead in the eyes. "But she's in there. Now I'm going after her, you can help or you can go chase a dead end."

Conrad turned around and began picking through the large rocks removing them one at a time. An hour later as a mix of sweat and rain ran down his face he felt someone next to him. It was Jin. She began helping with the debris.

"You hella crazy boy." Tossed a large rock to the side. "But you know this lady better than any of us. I'm goin in there with you. Lets do this."