Inhale The Fire • Reg Slivko

•Chapter Three•

•Bishop's POV•

"It's called the Hollow Earth Theory. Randa hired me because I wrote a paper substantiating what most people would think is a crackpot idea." Brooks explained as we all carried through towards the water source.

I was behind Conrad and Reg was behind me, making sure I wasn't going to fall unconscious. Even through it felt I should've two klicks back.

"That there is this massive underground species-"
"Which is what I'm here for. To determine the species." I spoke up.
"Randa believed this island may be one of those."
"And it is! That thing that attacked us was an ape. An ape I didn't think existed anymore. A prehistoric hominoidea." I kept on.

"I thought he was out of his mind." Brooks shook his head.
I nodded. "I wish he was! On the bright side, I get to punch him."
"Well Bishop-"
"In his face."
"He didn't mean to-"
"Making sure that his nose bleeds. A lot."
"You know what. Go for it."

"This is Slivko. Do you read? Anybody out there? We are headed north of the ex fil location. Everyone here seems way too calm right now. You copy? Anybody?"

"Water. Thank god." I gasped as I almost tripped to get to the water source.
"Woah Bishop!" Reg followed me and helped me get to my knees so I could cup the water and drink it.
He also took off his bandana and wet it and started to wipe off the dried blood that stuck for my temple.
I winced but let him continue.

Then the water started moving. Reg immediately jumped to his feet and stood in front of me with his gun ready to shoot.
"Nobody move." James told us.

I held my breathe as the animal came closer. "Holy shit. It's another prehistoric species. It's an Aurochs!" I smiled in delight. These were oddly enough my favorite animal growing up.
Yeah I was ahead of the curb on that one.

I rose to my feet slowly and put one hand on Reg's shoulder to ease him. "Reg."
"What?" He asked, almost panicked.
I put my other hand on the front of his gun and lowered it.
"Put it down."

He did as I said and the giant animal exhaled and turned to walk away slowly. Reg eased up greatly and sighed.
"That was amazing." I smiled.
Reg just gave me a look, to which I shrugged to.

•

The group carried on after I got enough water and Reg cleaned the head wound I had and we ended up at this old temple place. It looked like an ancient civilization.
I was looking at the odd yellow color on the walls when the walls suddenly had eyes. I screamed and was grabbed by my waist and pulled back by Reg. He stood in front of me with his gun ready as the group got closer together once we realized we were surrounded.
"Stay calm!"
"Conrad!"
"Stay back!"
"Guys!"
"Nobody shoot! Nobody shoot. No come on now no need for that!" And out of no where came a man who looked nothing like the people who camouflaged with the walls.
"Everybody keep your wigs on."
"What the hell?" I asked silently.
"I did not believe it. When they said you would come. I was up all night just thinking about how me and Gunpei dreamed about this moment. And now here it is! 28 years, 11 months, 8 failed attempts to get back to the world and instead, the world comes to me? Ain't that a fact?" The guy looks to the people who stayed with their sharp weapons pointed at us.
"They never smile."

"Did you crash here?" I asked finally noticing his jacket.
"Sorry miss! Lt. Hank Marlow Of the 45th. You are more beautiful than a hotdog and a beer at Wrigley stadium on opening day...but you're real...right?"
I think he wanted us to reply but really didn't know how to.

"I told you. Did I not tell you. I said It's fine! There you go." Hank told the people and they lowered their weapons.
"There's something out there man." Reg spoke up.

"Oh there's a lot out there."
Well then.
"Now come one. We gotta get home. You don't want to be out here at night."