Eye of the Storm Part I: Awakened.

Chapter VII.

Only sixteen hours remained until the Storm would officially hit.

The five had prepared to enter the Cave based on what the Messenger had told them. They had brought flashlights with them alongside other protective gear. Each of them had put on excess clothes in case of cold temperature. The clothes acted as protection from retaliation. If anything went wrong and a fight ensued, the excessive clothing would block some of the severity from the hits.

That was just about it. Even if the Messenger had suggested they bring other materials they didn't own, all of the stores were likely shut down and either already secured or being secured. The storm was nearly half a day away.

The six were on their way to the Cave. The Messenger had taken hold of the map and had been carrying it the whole time, guiding the six closer to its alleged location. Everyone had crammed into June's car once more. The Messenger provided June with the instructions. The Cave was located in a heavily grassed area, but a town road was maybe two or three miles from it. Driving to the road and finding someplace to pull off onto the shoulder seemed best. Or maybe it would be better if June drove a little ways into the grass in case law enforcement officials were patrolling and area and decided to tow his car.

June had settled on the parking lot of a gas station maybe half a mile away from the town road. The six got out of the car and hastily began walking in the direction of the road. The gas station was completely boarded up. The pumps were uncovered. Exposed.

The six did not seem suspicious at all. Sure, they may be some of the only people outside, but their brisk pace went unnoticed given the harsh circumstances.

Presently, the six were traveling through the heavily grassed area, maybe three-and-a-half miles from June's car. They had been searching for about forty minutes. The Messenger was ensuring the other five they were getting closer.

"Don't you think this is odd?" June muttered to Marcus as the five walked a few feet behind the Messenger.

"What?" Marcus replied.

"He won't remove his hood and none of us have seen a clear image of his full face. He's leading us into an area that we know essentially nothing about and telling us to not bring any weapons along. All that and he still wants us to trust him?"

"I agree that it sounds a little odd," Marcus admitted. "But I think all of us do. And besides, what else are we supposed to do? Wait out the Storm and hope it doesn't kill us? Stay in our houses while utter destruction and havoc is wreaked?"

"I suppose you're right," June replied reluctantly. "Just getting a little nervous. The Messenger and I didn't necessarily get off on the right foot."

"He's helping us now though. I suggest you just kind of forget about it. That would be what I would do."

"I'm still going to keep an eye on him though. He just seems a little off. He wasn't getting along with us at all until Kormak was mentioned. Then his entire attitude shifted."

Marcus was interrupted from any potential reply when the Messenger suddenly spoke.

"We reached a marker."

The other five of them gathered around him to see what exactly he meant.

"You see this green indicator on the map just outside the border of the Cave?" the Messenger pointed just South of the Cave. There was indeed a tiny green indicator resting there. Upon looking up, the group noticed a tiny green bush hidden amongst the semi-tall grass and weeds.

"The Cave is close?" Marcus asked.

"According to the marker," the Messenger replied. "It should only be a few dozen feet away, though the marker does not point us in the right direction. We will just have to look for it."

"But there is even field all around us," Bethany realized. "Where would a Cave be?"

"There Cave is likely entirely underground. Perhaps there is some sort of latch that leads to it. We should be cautious and look at the ground. It could be anywhere near here."

The six commenced their search of the unkempt ground, ensuring to cover every inch. A harsh wind was gaining speed, and the six knew they had to act quickly before the Storm became more severe. It was currently about sixteen hours from when it had initially been forecasted to hit. Time could not be spent not being focused.

They searched the ground for roughly ten minutes following the discovery of the Cave's marker. The Messenger would glance at the map, then look at the ground, glance at the map again, walk in one direction, glance at the map again, and then walk in an entirely different direction. He seemed to be onto something, but his feeling had not yet come true.

"I think I have something here!" Marcus exclaimed, ending the anticipation. The other five rushed toward him as Marcus kicked something imbedded in the ground. Once the Messenger reached him, he knelt to the ground and felt around for something. He suddenly gripped something and yanked upward, revealing a completely pitch black hold in the ground. They had lifted the latch that led into the Cave.

"This is surely it," the Messenger confirmed as he peered down into the vast darkness.

"Flashlights on?" June asked.

"Yes. Turn all the flashlights on," the Messenger replied as he switched his flashlight on. He tucked the map into a pocket in the interior of his rope. "Be careful and follow behind me. If anything comes out, I'll be the first to take the hit. But alas. Let's search this Cave."