Cave of Terror (3 page)
"Come on, girls. You're holding up the group,” said my biology teacher, Mrs. Krammer.
"We're coming,” I croaked.
I swallowed several times, took another deep breath and then stood. Okay, I felt a little better.
Mandy gave me one of her concerned looks. “You gonna make it?"
"Yeah. I'm good. Let's go before Mrs. Krammer has a cow."
Our group stopped in front of the chain that blocked further entrance into the cave.
Sharp sounds continued to ricochet in my head. I reached up and rubbed my temples, my stomach churning.
"You still look green,” Mandy whispered.
"Thanks.” Great. I feel like crap, and I look like crap. At least I'm consistent.
Stan gave his speech about how oil and dirt from our fingers would damage the formations in the cave. Like anyone had the urge to molest a formation. Whatever.
"Remember, a strict no touching rule is in effect at all times. It's a Federal offense to take anything out of the cave, so there will be a full body cavity search at the end of the tour,” Stan said.
Several people gasped, but no one laughed.
I leaned over toward Mandy. “It's called a joke. Hello."
She sighed. “I swear, our class is full of dorks."
Stan raised his hands in front of him. “I'm just kidding."
Then, everyone laughed.
He unhooked one side of the chain and let us pass. “Make your way toward the square box and wait for me to catch up."
Mandy and I stayed back and let the group move ahead so we could talk without getting reprimanded.
Stan caught up and led us into a large opening referred to as the Introductory Room. “Almost all formations found in the cave are represented in this very room.” He pointed his light at each one and gave a brief summary. Then, he walked over to a crevice in one of the walls. Everyone crowded around as he pointed his light into the crack.
A tiny bat was all tucked into the crevice, hiding from the light.
"Awwwwww ... it's so cute,” one of our classmates crooned.
"That's what all the girls say. If you notice, this bat is brown in color, which means it's a male,” Stan informed us.
As far back as I can remember, I've been intrigued by bats. There's a bridge near where I live where bats congregate during certain parts of the year. When they come out after the sun sets, they look like puffs of smoke rising into the air. I've spent hours watching them.
After what I learned on my birthday, my fascination with bats makes sense.
"This has been a very unusual day for us. Since there are no longer any natural entrances, a colony of bats will never form again in this cave. We consider it lucky to be able to point out a few bats a day, especially one so close. But today, Halloween of all days, we've already seen at least six bats. We even found one farther back in the cave than we've seen in years. Bats that do come in tend to stay close to the opening.” Stan pointed his light on the limestone ceiling where another bat hung. “See that furry gray chicken nugget? It's a female bat."
I caught a movement from the corner of my eye just in time to see a bat fly toward the back of the cave. A funny feeling settled in my stomach, and it wasn't nausea.
"Wow, we even have a flying bat today. Y'all are lucky,” said Stan.
One of the cheerleaders squealed and whined, “I don't like bats flying around my head."
I rolled my eyes. Maybe she can have one of the hunky football players hold her wittle hand and protect her from the big bad bats. Paalease! I hoped one of them would crap in her perfectly styled blonde hair.
"Nothing to worry about. They eat mosquitoes, not humans. Besides, what could a cute little furry chicken nugget do to you?” Stan turned and led us out of the room.
Along the way, we stopped at the Soda Straw Balcony while Stan discussed how the straws formed from rings of minerals. The ceiling glistened from moisture, and water beaded at the tips of the soda straws. I stared at the delicate projections.
A cold drop of liquid plopped onto the top of my head. I flinched and let out a startled yelp.
Mandy whipped her head around, sending me a questioning look.
I gave her a cheesy smile and shrugged. “A drop of water fell on my head. It was cold."
Stan laughed. “That would be what we call a cave kiss. It's the purest form of water you'll ever come in contact with. Not to mention, it's considered good luck."
If that's the case, I hoped cave kisses would rain down on my head. After what I learned the day before, I needed all the luck I could get.
As we moved farther into the cave, humidity surrounded us like a cool blanket of moisture. The high pitched echo in my head intensified. I plugged my ears, but it didn't help. The scent of almonds became stronger as well—like an amaretto cake baking in the depths of the cave. What could possibly be causing such a smell? Mom wasn't kidding about the senses becoming more acute. A person could go crazy with the sensory overload.
"Do you smell almonds now?” I asked Mandy.
She wrinkled her nose. “Umm ... no. What's with your obsession with almonds?"
"I don't know, but I swear I smell it."
One formation, Temptation Stone, Stan allowed us to touch. We each took a turn. I waited until the end, just after Mandy. I touched it, allowing my fingers to run the length of the cool, smooth surface. Dampness from the humidity clung to the formation and slicked my fingers.
A slight vibration moved through my hands, up my arms, and down to my toes. I jerked my hand away and paused, my hand hovering inches from the formation, then slowly put it back. The pulsation tickled my palm. Drawing back again, I glanced around to see if anyone else had felt it—no noticeable reactions observed. As many times as I'd touched Temptation Stone in the past, I'd never felt anything so strange.
"Mandy,” I called.
She turned. “What?"
"Did you feel anything weird when you touched the formation?"
"Like what, exactly?” she asked.
"I don't know. Like a vibration or something."
"No, can't say I did. Are you going wiggie on me? First the almond smell and now vibrating rocks?” She shook her head. “I'm starting to get worried about you."
I was worried about me, too.
"We're about to enter a long tunnel. Hope we don't have anyone that's claustrophobic.” Stan chuckled.
Mandy glanced back at me like I didn't know I suffered from claustrophobia. And it wasn't like I hadn't been through it before—no big deal. I breathed deeply and prepared myself just in case.
Please don't have an episode in front of the class.
Halfway through, the breath whooshed from my lungs. I blinked, trying to clear my blurred vision. My heart thumped inside my chest and my pulse expanded my veins with enough force to feel the blood surge through my body.
No. Not now. Not here.
The surrounding walls shimmered and compressed, squeezing out the space needed to move or inhale life-sustaining oxygen. I clutched at my chest and gasped for breath. A film of perspiration beaded my upper lip. My hands turned clammy. I paused a moment and attempted to take in a deep breath, then continued. Tiny dots of light flickered in front of me. I squeezed my eyes shut, then opened and blinked.
No. No. No.
With each step, my feet clumped along like lead blocks. One knee buckled, and I struggled to keep from falling. My lungs burned like crazy, but I refused to give into my ridiculous affliction, especially in front of this particular bunch of people.
And then, the oppressive passage opened into a small room. Air freely flowed back into my lungs. My vision returned to normal. I exhaled a sigh of relief.
Thank God no one noticed my near attack. How freakin’ embarrassing.
Mandy turned, then frowned. “You look white, Cheyenne. Whiter than normal, that is."
"It's just the lighting. I'm fine."
"If you say so."
"...the Texas Size Chip and Dip formation is the main attraction in this room. And if you take a good look, you'll find some trace fossils embedded in the surrounding rock.” Stan moved his light around to point out a few noticeable fossils.
Mandy raised her camera.
Flash. Flash
.
I held my breath as we passed through another tunnel, hoping I wouldn't freak again.
"This is what we call the Breakdown Room. The Balcones Fault passes right through the cave.” He shined his light along the area.
It wasn't much to look at, but Mandy lifted her camera and took some pictures anyway.
Flash. Flash.
I blinked several times to clear away the bright splotches of light dancing before my eyes.
Stan ushered us forward while he remained by a light switch.
Mandy whispered, “This is the part where the lights get turned off."
"Ooooh, scary,” I sarcastically whispered to her.
"In order to allow you to experience total darkness, I'll be turning off the lights for a few seconds. Imagine what it must have been like for an animal that ended up in here,” Stan said.
The lights went off and everyone grew quiet.
Immediately, a strong presence crowded around me, squeezing me in a bear hug. I clawed at my non-existent restraints, praying the strange sensation wouldn't turn into another near claustrophobic attack.
The strong scent of almonds tickled my nose as I sucked in a breath. What the heck? I felt a slight touch from behind, and my hair was brushed aside. A puff of warm air poured across my bared skin. Tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. A tingle of apprehension settled between my shoulder blades.
What's happening to me?
Two sharp objects scratched along the pounding pulse in my throat, pricking my skin. I grabbed my neck.
"Ha ha, Mandy. Very funny."
"What?” Her voice came from in front of me, not behind.
I swung around, reaching out into the darkness, expecting to make contact with some idiot from my class. I came up with empty air.
"I like to leave the lights off for a time to give everyone the opportunity to pick their noses if needed. So, go ahead and pick away,” said Stan.
The lights flicked back on and everyone laughed. Everyone but me.
Mandy stood in front of me and the only person left behind me was Stan who still stood stationed by the light switch. I glanced around, unsure of what I searched for. A quiver raced through me and a creepy feeling clustered in my gut.
Something was very wrong.
All my senses screamed danger.
I'm not sure how I knew an evil presence existed in the cave, but I'd never been more certain of anything in my life. And no, it had nothing to do with it being Halloween. I don't believe in boogie men or ghosties. Well, at least I used to not believe in such things.
As I frantically scanned for the source of my unease, a bat dive-bombed my head. I dodged just in time to avoid the near collision. A buzz whizzed through my head, seeming to shatter my eardrums. I squeezed my eyes shut against the pain. Bile rose in my throat, and I spasmodically swallowed to keep from hurling.
"Wow! You don't see that happen very often. Most of the bats we find in the cave aren't active during the day. Y'all are getting a real treat for Halloween.” Stan flicked his light around, searching for more flying bats.
Oh yeah, it was one heck of a treat. Another bat swooped down, barely missing my head.
The cheerleader shrieked and snuggled next to Mr. Jock Itch, the studly quarterback.
Stan chuckled. “You must be wearing some kind of bat attractant. You're a regular bat magnet."
"Shazaam, girl! That last one nearly got you.” Mandy glanced around, ready to duck at a moment's notice.
Two more bats flew between me and Mandy. She yelped and jumped back. They circled around us, then headed for the back of the cave.
Mandy's eyes grew wide. “Snap! That was close. A little too close if you ask me."
"You don't know the half of it,” I mumbled.
"What?” Mandy asked.
"Nothing."
"Well, it looks like we're through with the flight-of-the-bats part of the tour. Let's continue.” Stan made his way to the front of the group and moved into a short tunnel. “This next section of the cave is called Headache Alley. If you're over five feet tall you'll understand why.” After walking a few more steps, he abruptly stopped, backed up and shined his light on a formation hanging from the ceiling of the cave. “Here's another bat. It's very unusual to find one this far back in the cave."
Stan allowed each person to look at the bat while he continued to shine his light on the creature. The formation hung low, putting the bat just above our heads.
"Aren't you going to take a look?” I asked Mandy.
She stepped around me. “Naaaaa. They give me the heebie jeebies, but you go right ahead. I know how you're, like, into them."
As I stood almost nose to nose with the bat, I noticed the light dusting of fur on its head. It appeared quite harmless and rather cute. I'd never had the opportunity to get that close to an actual bat in the open.
Suddenly, my feet froze in place—immobilized against my will. A cacophony of screeching echoes rushed into my head. An ominous energy filled my body. I swayed side to side. The scent of almonds I had become accustomed to magnified and soured, leaving the sickening stench of evil.
The bat moved forward using its wings to inch closer to me. It lifted its head and focused its attention on me. My heart accelerated as I stared into its beady little eyes. Eyes that held way too much intelligence for a mere bat.
I wanted to run, but my feet stuck firmly to the floor. I wanted to scream, but my voice lodged in my throat like a lump of dry bread.
The surrounding air pressed into me until I gasped for breath. The creature opened its mouth, displaying sharp, elongated fangs. My eyes widened until I thought they'd pop out of my head
Inside I screamed.
Evil stared me straight in the face.
And then the bat smiled, revealing more sharp teeth.