Once Upon a Faerie Tale

Chapter Fourteen

Twelve:

The group of three was shocked at the discovery of grass growing under an apple tree in the open part of the cave. But more shocking than the tree, was the opening the tree was growing around. Sunlight was pouring in through the opening and filtering through the apple tree. “But we’re underground!” Michelle said in awe, putting her arms on the bank looking up at the tree, trying to see past it. 

“That may be, but I’m not going to just sit here and look at it, I’m going to see what’s out there.” Darby said, pulling herself out of the water with considerable effort. She unclipped the harness and dropped her tanks, light and goggles on the ground before either of her friends understood what she meant to do. 

As she was removing her fins Nick piped up, “You aren’t actually planning on going out there without shoes on.” He said, “And what if this leads to an old retirement community and we’re in these suits?” 

Darby rolled her eyes. “Where’s you’re sense of adventure? What if this isn’t just some retirement community, what if it’s another world?” She was smiling, her eyes light with adventure and mischief. 

“Another world?” Michelle asked. 

“Okay, so it’s not another world, but still, it’s going to be an adventure either way!” She said, standing up, the dry suit bagging in unattractive places. 

Nick and Michelle looked at each other and while Nick was still contemplating the repercussions, Michelle pulled herself out of the water and began to rid herself of her gear. “We can’t go without you Nick, don’t be a spoil sport.” She said, looking at him pleadingly. 

He thought for another few moments before nodding his head and coming out of the water with more force and strength than his two companions. “One hour.” He said, pointing at both of them. “Only one, then we come back here.”

Smiling and shrugging her shoulders, Darby stood, feeling the cold wet stone beneath her feet. “Let’s go!” The other two rolled their eyes and followed her as she exited toward the apple tree.

There was no path beneath their feet, only a grassy field that seemed to stretch on for miles in all directions. Looking back at the cave it was covered with grass and small plants and it looked odd in the middle of the flat land. In front of them there was only a small line that stretched on in the same continuous pattern, only this line had yet to be determined. 

As they got closer, the group realized white picket fence blocked their way. “Does anyone else find this a little odd?” Michelle asked as the three stared at the fence, arms to their sides, heads tilted to the left or right. 

“Just a little.” Nick said.

But for Darby it was a different story. She could not slow her brain, which seemed to be going a mile a minute, searching desperately for a logical explanation for this turn of events. It can’t be right, no, it’s not, it’s just a fence surrounding a retirement community’s land. She told herself desperately, we’ll find the nearest building and we’ll laugh about this awkward moment. Nervously laughing to herself, hoping the others wouldn’t hear her, she hopped the fence, desperate to get away from this strange coincidence. 

The coincidence’s continued as an animal path emerged and the group began to travel down a small hill, and soon the picket fence was out of site. And there, at the edge of the bend, there was a rock. A giant red rock shaped like an egg. Darby’s blood ran cold and she was certain she was going crazy. There is no possible way it’s that. She said, practically yelling at herself in her head. It’s just the fresh air is making you crazy. Sure that rock is there, but it’s not that rock.