Chapter Two

A Chapter by Robert J Poe

The Cave of Wonders

CHAPTER TWO:

“Here it is” I told my friends as we stood on the peak of the last hill. The cave entrance was massive. About half a football field long and three hummers stacked on each other high.

“Okay” John said “We found it, now what?”

“Come with me into the cave” I told everyone. “I want to show you something that I found.”

“Oh god” John whined it a sobbing tone “More walking.”

“Suck it up fatass” Brian said harshly “You could lose some pounds. About a ton.” Brian went into the cave first, laughing at his own joke. Arron and I were always amazed at how John never fought back at Brian’s insults. I asked him one night and he responded with “Eh, I really don’t care what he thinks about me. He is entitled to his opinion. The point is what I think of me, and I like the way I am. No matter what Brian says.” I am always proud at how John is always a kind person at both heart and mind. I envy that sometimes. The cave floor was still very damp and had several deep puddles of water; Brian accidentally stepped in one and had his shoe completely drenched up to his ankle, causing him to curse repeatedly.

Chase and Arron always have a strange, and annoying, way of passing the time. This time, they must have thought it would be funny, and annoying to Brian, to scream “Puddle” every time they saw one. I was trying so hard not to rip out their vocal cords and it looked like Brain was too, though he was more verbal about it than me. About 100 feet into the cave, I started to feel a familiar headache. Time to see if everyone else felt it too.

“Whoa” John said in the back. We all turned to see him on one knee holding his head.

“You ok John?” I asked

“I think so” he responded “I just suddenly have this bad headache.”

“Really, me too” confessed Arron.

“Second” responded Chase.

“What about you Brian?” I asked

“I’m fine” Brian looked away. I knew that meant that he was lying. Brian was a very stubborn person who didn’t like to admit his pains or weaknesses.

“I think we should turn back” John suggested

“Not yet” I stated “I need to show you this thing I found.”

“This had better be important; if this is a joke, I will beat the living s**t out of you."

“You will?” I asked, calling Brian's bluff. He grunted and turned his head. Humiliation. We walked further down the cave, and my gag reflexes started to act up. Part two, we’re getting close. A moment later, Chase let out a loud gag. Arron and John followed. I looked over to Brian and saw a strained look on his face; he was trying not to gag.

“What the hell is going on” asked Chase

“This is what happened to me the first time I was here” I answered “I think this has something to do with that thing I saw.”

“What the f**k did you-“ Brian put his hand over his mouth to keep from gagging.

“It is just a little further up ahead. I promise.” I tried to keep everyone calm. Now everyone followed me eagerly, more interested in what it was I saw.

“Oh” John moaned in the back “I’m gonna throw up.”

“Just hold it in” I said. With every step I took, my gag reflexes seemed to get stronger; I occasionally let out an external gag, but nothing came out. The closer I walked to the door, he more I could feel my stomach clinching in the reflexes of my gags. My throat was so constricted; I thought my esophagus would tear. Every step felt like I was walking in tar; my mind could only focus on trying not to throw up. At one point, I could actually start to feel solid substances enter my esophagus. I tried to swallow, but it was useless. The substances kept rising and closing off my airways. I started to walk faster as a subconscious way of finding a place to throw up. My legs only felt like they were running through deep water. The vomit was starting to reach the top of my throat; if it touched my uvula, it was over for resistance. Humiliation and shame in front of my friends. When the will to resist vomiting was almost gone, I arrived at the door. The pain vanished in an instant, and I let out a big sigh of relief. I looked back and saw that my friends had stayed with me through the long journey of the cave. “This is it” I said showing the others the door on the wall.

“A door?” asked Chase

“Yes, I wanted to see if any of you know what this symbol is” I pointed to the strange ‘S’ in the center of the door. The four of them walked closer to the door and look closely at the ‘S’.

“Huh” Arron said “I have never seen a symbol like that before. However, it almost looks Egyptian.”

“How the hell can it be Egyptian dumb a*s” Brian snapped “The Egyptians were in Egypt, we are in Western Colorado. I swear you have no brains.” Arron was grinding his teeth so hard, that you could almost hear the tooth cry. It was so hard to try and keep from attacking Brian.

“Maybe it is Native American” suggested John “they were popular in this region before the settlers came and threw them out. This could be a sacred burial ground for the leaders of the tribes.” John was very smart in history; actually, he was good in every subject in school. I always feel a strange mixture of pride and jealousy toward my brother.

“Hey” Chase yelled, startling the rest of us “why don’t we check it out?” Chase was a big adventurous type who loved to explore mysterious, and possibly forbidden, places, which is why we bonded so quickly.

“That is not a good idea” John informed “Most of the Native American burial grounds of those tribes were known to be cursed to anyone who disturbs their resting place.”

“Not to mention it is a major taboo in about every culture and religion of the world to disturb the dead” added Arron.

“Oh for the sweet love of God” Brian snapped “Shut the f**k up, grab those marbles you call balls, and get your wimpy asses in there. We did not travel all this f*****g way to say ‘oh, we better not disturb the freakin’ dead.’ We are going in there, even if I have to break your damn legs and drag you in.” Everyone was silent while Brian caught his breath. I saw John move a little closer to me, because he knew that at times like these; Brian is more likely to flip out on him than anyone else.

“Ok Brian” I said trying to calm things down “We can try to get in, but I don’t know if we even can. I couldn’t last time.” I wanted to leave out the part about the scream; maybe they will hear it themselves, but for now I want to keep everyone as calm as possible in here.

“I’m sure that if the five of us help out, we can possibly open the door.” Chase suggested.

“I don’t know” John said uneasily “I still think it is a bad idea.”

“No one cares what you think tubby” said Brian as he went for the door.

“DON’T DO THIS!” John screamed “This is sacrilegious, and we don’t even know if it is a burial place. It could be a death trap set for the western settlers when they came into this cave. Just because hard-headed Brian says we should doesn’t mean we need to; he is just being a jackass!” I was completely dumbfounded; I never heard John speak out like that, and not to mention insult Brian. I saw that Brian had heard what John called him because he slowly turned his head around; his eyes burning in rage.

“WHAT did you call me you fat son-of-a-b***h.” I could see that John was starting to regret his choice of words. Brian chuckled evilly “good thing we are in a cave, because no one can hear you scream while I kill you.” I could tell that Brian wasn’t kidding; I had to step in and stop Brian. I stood in front of John and gave Brian a serious look.

“Not while I’m still here” I stated “release your anger in another way, but you will not hurt my brother.” Brian’s face looked like he was about to crack up laughing. His rational thinking must have vanished after he lost his temper from being called a jackass by John of all people.

“Get out of the way Mark” Brian said in a maniacal voice “I don’t want to have to kill you too.” My expression stayed strong.

“You will not hurt my brother” I repeated. That little remark cause Brian to lose it

“THEN YOU DIE FIRST!” He leaped towards me in an almost cat-like way. He grabbed my shoulder and went for my neck, but I grabbed his hand and twisted it around his back. He yelled in pain as he tried to beak free. He tried with his free hand to grab my head from behind, but I grabbed his wrist and lifted him onto my back, and threw him into the door.

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