The Silent Thief

XXIX

XXIX

               “So your birthday is next week, Grace?” Captain James asked me.

“Yes,” I mumbled half listening to him. My eyes were fixed on the extremely faint path. Parts where trees’ shadows did not cover the path, the sunlight made it turn invisible. I walked on, all the while listening for Captain Stones if he were near.

“What happens then?” Jake asked.

Captain James didn’t answer so I spoke, “The prophecy says that I’ll find the ‘power’ when I turn twenty-one. I do hope though, it doesn’t take until then to find the gem containing that power.”

“Aye, me too. Me feet are aching,” Jake complained.

Captain James said, “Grow a set, Jake.”

Jake frowned and replied, “I have a set!”

“As if you knew what that was…”

“Hey, stop it both of you. We’re here,” I said hushing their bickering.

The glowing path widened and plunged into a lake. Without thinking twice, I continued walking. Knowing some of the men were probably questioning my motives, a word was not said.

One step at a time, I assured myself treading slowly into the dark green waters. It was nothing like the clear streams or lakes I’d seen on the island so far. I had waded out into the waters till it reached my stomach. “Ya’ coming,” I called back.

The men came in, creating many ripples and splashing sounds.

I stepped again, but this time my foot did not reach the bottom. It seemed too late to catch my balance so I found myself falling.

A yell erupted just before I was pulled down into the cold darkness. “Grace!”

For a few seconds, I could not breathe. I shut my eyes and mouth as tight as I could and desperately tried to swim. I felt I was in thick mud. It was oozing into my shirt and every inch of my body. When I felt my lungs would burst, I couldn’t help but gasp for air. After that, I was falling. I hit a hard floor coughing and wiping away the mud that was stinging my eyes. Surprisingly though, there wasn’t a speck of anything on me, neither was there anything in my mouth. The feeling I was chocking still remained.

Finally, I was able to stand and look around. I could barely make out my surroundings with the dim light. Thinking of where that could be from, I looked around. Above me there was the glowing path, sticking to the ceiling it seemed. It glowed brighter now. Smooth walls ran along each side of me, parallel with the path.

Where did I fall from? I wondered.

I heard a muffled yell and jumped back seeing Captain James fall from the ceiling and landing at my feet. He whimpered and stood up slowly while clutching his shoulder.

“Are you alright?” I asked.

“Ah, I think I nearly broke my arm but it is only bruised.”

“Did the other men follow you?”

“I couldn’t see. I dove after you as soon as you fell.”

“Let us move one then. This corridor, of some sort, only leads in one direction. They’ll find us eventually, or we’ll have to find them,” I said moving along one smooth wall. Captain James didn’t follow me.

“Grace, where are you? I can’t see a thing,” he said swinging his arm around.

“Here.” I grabbed his forearm. “I forgot you can’t see the light.”