The Chasm

by Tom Hunter

  Pediah put a hand on his shoulder. “Relax, Robbie.” To get his mind off things, Pediah posited, “You could use this in one of your, um, tube TV things…”

  Robbie sucked in his lips, trying to hide a smile. Then, shot Pediah a look as if to say, “Are you serious?”

  He’s not too good at the subtle thing, but he tries, thought Robbie, with a new respect for the Amish man. Playing along, he exclaimed, “The last thing I want to do is post this story online!”

  “Hmmm….never would have taken you for a man who cares about morals…” he regretted it as soon as the words were out of his mouth. “Sheesh, Robbie, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to sound quite so…harsh.”

  “Don’t confuse the character, the personality, with the real deal. A lot of people do,” admonished Robbie. “I’m not a jackass, but I play one on TV, or in this case…on YouTube,” finished Robbie with a twist of his mouth. He thought for a minute, adding, “You want to know the really sad thing about my asshole personality on social media? It’s what sells merchandise. So, what does that say to you about the people who watch me?” he asked.

  “It sounds like you’re not too happy with the reputation you’ve established.”

  “You caught that, did ya?” Robbie asked, his voice resigned. He shrugged, “What does it matter anyway? I do what I do, and that’s all I can do.” Pediah turned to face Robbie, his brows furrowed with concern.

  What had happened to the brash boy he’d met just a couple of months ago? He’d just opened his mouth to ask, when Mochni’s high-pitched clicks and clacks caught his ear. The boy seemed frantic. “What’s he saying?” asked Pediah to no one in particular. Then, to Robbie, “Look at Mochni,” he pointed. “What’s got him so excited I wonder?” The two men picked up their pace, and soon had the bridles of their Kisgar in hand.

  “What is it Mochni?” asked Pediah, using gestures as he spoke. Mochni jabbed his finger toward the mines.

  “I think that’s our cue,” remarked Robbie, as he swung himself onto the back of the giant lizard like creature. Mochni and Pediah followed suit.

  Guiding his creature into the lead, Mochni adjusted himself into a more comfortable seating position. The animal stamped its great leg in anticipation of the journey home. Pediah came next, and Robbie brought up the rear.

  “We’ll be back with Abby before you know it, guys,” he called. “Show’s over. So, I’d suggest going on like nothing’s happened,” Robbie advised. Pediah doubled over in silent laughter as Robbie tried to take command.

  The Kisgar lumbered forward, picking up speed as they neared the cave’s entrance. Pediah could have sworn he heard someone speak. “Back to normal? What’s that? After the giant creatures of burden and the giant man-child, how the hell do we act like everything is ordinary?” the voice opined. But, not wanting to worry Robbie any further, he let it slide, and kept what he heard to himself.

  The darkness of the caves entrance swallowed first Mochni on his magnificent mythical steed, then Pediah, and finally, Robbie. The creatures and their riders were gone just as mysteriously as they’d appeared.

  Six

  Overcome with exhaustion, Miss Welker breathed heavily, deep in her slumber. Her dreams were pleasant. If she could have seen herself sleeping, she might have seen a smile of satisfaction play at the corners of her mouth. She felt a sharp object poke her ribs, a thorn in her ecstasy. What the hell? She opened one eye.

  From her side, she saw a thick leather wrapped ankle. Then, following it up she took in beige camo, a tool belt which held mostly bullets, and a standard rifle camouflaged to the uniform. Not exactly standard issue, but then again, neither was Ramon. The man could blend in with sand.

  She moaned. Ugh, one of Ramon’s men. She’d wished for them earlier. Now she just wished for more sleep. The leather clad foot nudged her rib again. “Oh, give me a break!” she spat. Still hazy from being woken up, and thick with sleep, Miss Welker struggled to regain her composure and impose her control.

  “Listen, you imbecile. I am Miss Welker.” She raised an eyebrow. Most of the men at least knew of her. “Miss Welker,” she repeated. The patrolman was a stone. “Noah Ashbridge will have your head. Now, listen to me. I am Miss Welker and you will help me get back to camp. Got it?”

  Still silent, the patrolman bent low and offered her a hand. In a low voice, he commented, “I’m sure the boss will be glad to know you’re…safe. Miss Welker.” He pulled her to her feet. “Drink?” he asked, and offered her his canteen.

  Reaching out to take it, her arm fell back to her side, as a rumbling emanated from the shadows. She blinked. No, not a rumbling. It was someone clearing their throat. As her mind registered this new presence, the shadow stepped into light. Ramon! I should have known.

  “You stand corrected. I am the boss. Noah is…the money.” He shot the patrolman such a look. The man beat a hasty retreat, leaving Ramon and Miss Welker alone. “Did I dismiss you?” Ramon called after the man.

  “No, sir.”

  “Then, stand over there, and do not move until I tell you otherwise. Capische?”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “Good. Now that’s settled,” began Miss Welker. “Let’s talk about who and what a boss is, shall we?” Ramon stepped up to her, his chest puffed. He was sick and tired of being bossed around this slip of a girl. Noah’s latest plaything.

  “Noah is expecting me. He sent me on an important mission, I’m happy to say, I have completed.” She raised a finger before Ramon could argue. “Tsk, tsk. Don’t get all huffy. Besides, I am Noah’s most trusted confidante,” she finished with her hands on her hips, her feet hip width apart.

  Ramon ran fingers through his tightly woven cornrows and took a step closer to Miss Welker. He flexed his biceps and his tattoos danced. “I don’t think you get it. As far as Noah knows, you’re still infiltrating Thomas Knight’s camp. And we, the only men who know you’re alive, well, they’re all under my command,” Ramon explained.

  He thought for a minute, shrugged, and added, “Let me see if I can explain this in a way you can understand. He pulled his Brazilian manufactured pistol – she could never remember the name of it - from his hip holster and leveled it at her. “If we get rid of you, here, then we could return the drum, and no one would be the wiser. Least of all Noah. He gets what he wants, when he wants. We all know this. You do, too, deep down.”

  Miss Welker took a step back. She knew he was trying to threaten her, but there seemed to be an undercurrent of warning, too. Just like always, I suppose. Eyes in the back of my head situation. Got it.

  Ramon swung his gun toward his patrolman. “If you don’t stop that nervous shuffling of your feet, you can join her!” he snarled. The patrolman snapped to attention. He was torn. He saw and understood Miss Welker’s plight, he really did. He felt sorry for the woman. But, on the other hand, Ramon made sure he had a job and a steady paycheck, and when it came to that, his loyalties ran deep.

  Suddenly, as if on a predetermined cue, Ramon re-holstered his gun. “Ah, it’s not worth it. Noah’ll want a messy investigation. He’ll stick his puny little nose in my business. You’ll probably be more trouble dead than alive,” he acquiesced. Then, with a shrug, he added, “Fine, we’ll take you back.”

  “You,” he gestured to the patrolman that had found Miss Welker. “Yeah, you. Knight in fucking shining armor. Now, you can offer her a drink.” Ramon stepped back in a mocking bow.

  The patrolman stepped forward cautiously his arm extended, canteen in hand. He didn’t ask again, just pumped it at her. Miss Welker took it, a grateful look of thanks in her eyes. She didn’t offer it lightly. Encouraged by it, the patrolman came nearer, and whispered, “You can lean on me if you need to.” She smiled. “Thanks. But, I’m fine.”

  “Awww, isn’t that cute.” Ramon tapped the communication device he’d just affixed to his ear. “We have the package. I repeat, we have the package.” Then, raising his arm above his head, he gave the signal for ‘move out.’ The dru
m lay where Miss Welker had landed before falling asleep. Ramon strode quickly to it, and bent as if to pick it up. Ramon was fast, but Miss Welker was quicker. Taking the drum neatly from Ramon, she quipped, “I brought it this far. What are a few more steps?”

  With their quarry rounded up, Ramon and his men beat a hasty retreat for camp. Though still not quite herself, Miss Welker did her best to keep up with the men. Her desire to spite Ramon drove her forward; an iron will and sheer adrenaline held her upright.

  Seven

  The desert sun crept from its blinding white heat to soft hues of pink and orange in less than two hours. But, the passengers in the hover vehicle weren’t there to admire the sunset. Alexia was in the passenger seat. Thomas was at the wheel. In the back was a small contingent of guards. Attached to the vehicle were small arms for defense.

  Thomas guided the craft smoothly over the desert landscape. From time to time, he’d sneak a peek at Alexia hard at work in the passenger seat. The drone was in her lap and her tools were balanced precariously on the dash. Thomas was amazed the tools didn’t tumble into her lap at every turn – it was if she’d told them to stay, and they obeyed. But, it wasn’t just her tools he was sneaking peeks at.

  He took in her small hands, working feverishly to get the drone in working order. A tendril of dark hair refused to stay tucked behind her ear. And she bore a strange little smile. What he wouldn’t give to know what secrets were locked behind it.

  “What?” cried Alexia, a little more harshly than she’d intended. In one motion, she reached up to return the maddening bit of hair back behind her ear, the back of her hand brushed her cheek leaving a smidge of grease on her cheek.

  She’d picked up the drone and had been trying to study it. But, the little glances Thomas had thrown her way were getting… distracting. She turned her head to study him. With a quick glance at the guards behind them, Alexia lowered her voice. “What’s going on, Thomas?”

  He opened his mouth, then closed it, biting back his first thought. His initial response would be received better without company, he’d thought as he reconsidered his next move. Rubbing his lips together, he searched for a more mundane topic. “Aren’t you afraid those tools are going to come crashing into your lap?” he asked. “And if they do, what if they damage your little friend there?” he nodded at the drone. Alexia rolled her eyes.

  “Tools. The tools are making you nervous?” She shook her head in disbelief. “Wow, that is weak. I thought you were better at this.”

  Caught in his own trap, he continued, “No, seriously. Those are a lot of tools. Some heavy, some sharp. One crazy turn or a sudden stop and you could get hurt.” He glanced at the guards behind them. “We could get hurt.”

  “Thomas Knight. Give me a break.” Alexia blew an exasperated breath. It caught her bangs, making his heart skip a beat. Shit. She already had his number. Before he could make more of a fool of himself, Alexia went on.

  “Besides, we’re in a hover vehicle. Hover. It’s a smoother, more comfortable ride than a regular vehicle might be over this terrain.” Well, she had him there. Then, throwing his words back at him, she added, “And since time is of the essence, it will have to do.”

  Alexia thought for a minute and decided to turn the tables. Let’s see how he likes a little bit of uncomfortable attention. Tilting her head to one side in what she assumed to be a coy manner, she teased, “I get it. You’re just nervous about my making a mess you in your ca-, er hover craft.”

  “Yes,” Thomas answered flatly, staring straight ahead. He didn’t laugh.

  Alexia lifted her eyebrows at this quick response, and bit back a laugh. Now was not the time. “I’ve got it all under control,” she said, patting the tools gently. “I can promise no projectiles, if you can promise not to drive crazy. Deal?” she asked, slapping the drone case shut.

  Before he could answer, a great clattering followed by a resounding “Shit!” greeted his ears. He turned to look and barked a laugh. She turned to him violently, causing more items to spill from their precarious positions on the dash. Alexia scrambled to catch them before they fell, and with a sharp glance, commanded, “Don’t say a word.”

  Thomas nodded, smirking. Alexia turned toward him, eyes blazing.

  A guard interrupted. “Hey! You guys noticed anything?”

  The two exchanged glances with lifted eyebrows and quirk of their lips. Did the guard want them to stop talking? Why? Their looks gave way to smiles of mutual understanding, and a shared connection. Fire and earth it seemed, each complemented the other. Pulling himself from her gaze, and focusing on the path ahead, Thomas spoke over his shoulder. “Though we don’t have traditional tire marks to follow, hover technology does leave an impression in the earth.”

  “It certainly does,” whispered Alexia under her breath. She thought no one heard her and was surprised when Thomas caught her eye and smiled a knowing smile. Oh.

  He added, “We’re good guys. We’re still on the right track.”

  Striving to hide the flush that had come creeping up her neck at Thomas’s last look, Alexia focused on things outside the passenger window. The tools on the dash and the drone in her lap forgotten. “Wait. I think I see…something,” began Alexia. She reached for her binoculars.

  She scanned the area. She’d seen movement. Someone was out there. She could feel it. “There’s a…a cave, I think,” she explained. Alexia adjusted the lenses hoping to zoom in. Was that…? “Thomas, can you see it yet? Doesn’t that look like - ?”

  “Our hover vehicle,” he finished for her. Thomas sailed over the land toward their destination, and almost as an afterthought called to the guards, “Call this location back to base. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?” He aimed his hover vehicle in the direction Alexia pointed. “A cave. A hidden hover vehicle. Perfect place to start.”

  Eight

  The gentle rolling of their mighty mythical steeds offered a steady pace. Mochni was in the lead, Robbie and Pediah close behind. The now-gentle giants neatly skirted digging equipment and stacked crates, though their ever-swishing tails gave Pediah apoplexy. He just knew they’d knock something over, destroying artifacts that Thomas and his team were trying so desperately to preserve. The soft clop, clop of their steps echoed in the cavernous chambers.

  Pediah watched Mochni gain a few extra steps, then slid his eyes toward Robbie. The kid was brave, but he could be a real hothead. He’d have to watch him and make sure his temper didn’t dig them a deeper grave with the Woidnuk.

  The procession stopped.

  Breaking into his rambling thoughts, Robbie announced, “It’s weird. Never thought I’d get used to there being so much noise down here. But, now it’s quiet, I’m feeling kind of creeped out.”

  The silence! Pediah thought. That’s what had felt so strange. He sent a silent thank you to Robbie for stating the obvious. Then, another thought struck him.

  “Wait. Didn’t you go on solo hunts and voyages and stuff for your show?” Pediah asked, a little confused at Robbie’s awe and nervousness.

  “Well, yeah. But, it’s TV – for all intents and purposes,” Robbie answered. “Think about it. At the very least, there’s a camera crew. So, I was never really alone.”

  Pediah nodded, a soft, “I see,” muttered under his breath.

  With a sharp look, Robbie caught Pediah’s gaze. “So, I don’t get it. Why all the sudden interest in my show?”

  The big man shrugged. “Guess I’m always looking for more spelunking tips. Thought I might learn something new,” Pediah explained.

  “And have you?” Robbie asked with a smirk. This wasn’t like Pediah. Was he trying to be funny again?

  “No,” Pediah remarked with an exaggerated sigh. “I guess you’re not as good at this as you think you are,” he went on as if trying to bait the young YouTube star.

  Robbie shrugged. Opening his mouth to say something, Mochni cut him off with a shout. The boy put his finger to his lips eliciting their silence and their wonder
. Next, he cupped his hand around his ear.

  They began to move again. As Robbie urged his Kisgar forward to keep pace with Pediah, he asked in a stage whisper, “Do you hear anything?” His sentence nearly clipped by a loud shush once more from Mochni. Putting his own finger to his lips, Pediah shook his head slowly.

  “Geez, I’m just askin’!” exclaimed Robbie which brought down two angry shushes from both Mochni and Pediah. With a start, Pediah motioned everyone should ride toward the walls. So well trained were the animals, they leapt forward with such a vengeance they nearly threw their new riders from their backs. The two surfacers, their heads flung back and hair streaming behind them, lowered themselves to grasp the Kisgars’ necks and held on. A reflexive yelp from both caused Mochni to shush them yet again and issue a stern, disapproving look.

  “Oh sure,” whispered Robbie. “It’s easy for you to say, you’re not the one holding on for dear life.” His voice was quiet and strained. He blew a soft whistle as bubbles of light began to pierce the darkness. It’s like seeing stars in the Earth. Then, catching himself, he shook his head. He was losing it. Pull yourself together man!

  “Are those - ?” he started to ask, then at Mochni and Pediah’s sharp glance, he lowered his voice and repeated, “Are those guys from Noah’s camp?”

  “No…I don’t think so.” Pediah shook his head. His voice bounced at the death defying pace of the Kisgar. “I don’t think any of their team is down here right now.”

  Robbie bent low along the Kisgar’s neck, much like that of a racing jockey at the Kentucky Derby, and peered into the darkness. There wasn’t enough light to see, but the bobbing lights proved there were more than the three of them in the cave. Were these friend or foe? He strained his eyes to bring the shadows into focus. So intent was he on determining who’d joined them, he’d begun to let slip his grip around the Kisgar’s neck. Watch it son, he could hear Thomas Knight say. You’re holding on by a… proverbial thread.