by J.R. Bowles
CHAPTER 52
They heard colors when the flag was respectfully lowered but continued their bowling game until the sun was beyond the New Jersey skyline. The three of them walked silently in the humid night air, past the Chief's townhouses, and past the Bachelor Officer's Quarters. The base theater had a poster up advertising a movie which had ran the civilian circuit six months ago and had already been released on video.
They paused at the edge of the golf course and stared in the distance at the shadow of an old fort. Several of the most brilliant stars twinkled faintly through the miasmal vapor of the city's lights and heat.
“The door to get into the tunnels is on this side of the fort. I'll show you.” Becky said, as she headed out onto the golf course.
“See those trees,” she pointed, “it's just past there.”
“Do you have a flash light?” Zolar asked.
“I have a couple of Maglite’s.” She opened her purse and pulled out a couple of hand size lights with a magnifying lens over the bulb. “Don't turn them on until we get into the tunnel.”
The fort sat on top of a small hill. It looked more like an old castle, complete with moat, but now the moat was dry and was covered with well-manicured grass. They climbed down into the moat until they came to a wall of gray granite.
In the dim light John and Zolar couldn't tell exactly what Becky was pushing on but a small hole appeared near the ground.
“You have to crawl in.” She said as she hiked up her skirt and got down on her knees. John and Zolar followed in the same fashion.
After they squeezed through the hole they were able to stand up.
“You can turn your lights on now. “ Becky suggested through the blackness of their surroundings.
The Maglite’s proved to extremely adequate as they flipped the switches.
Upon inspection John found the tunnel was of the same gray granite blocks as those exposed to the exterior world. Becky pushed her foot against the stone which had allowed them in and it slid back into its niche.
“This way,” Becky said heading down the long corridor of gray stone.
“Here,” Zolar offered his light, “you're leading the way.”
“I don't need it.” She answered.
Zolar and John glanced at each other as they followed into the still quiet cool man made tunnel.
“I can take you to the entrance of the chamber but I cannot enter.” Becky said.
“Why?” John asked.
“It is considered the chamber of knowledge of good and evil, since I am neither, I respect those entities and will not interfere by allowing them to draw upon my energy when the center opens.”
They walked on through the narrow spaces passing several other open door ways leading to other areas. Finally Becky stopped and again placed her hands upon the cool granite. This time a wide door opened gapping from floor to ceiling.
“This is as far as I go.” She said as her voice shift back into the crisp chimes of Kumara.
“Wait a minute, how do we get out of here? Are you going to wait for us?” Zolar questioned nervously.
“I won't wait. Just remember when you leave this door take a right and continue straight. When the tunnel stops dead, kick the bottom center stone and you will be back to where you started.”
Zolar flicked his light onto his watch. “It's only ten, what do we do until midnight?”
“Wait.”
“Will we see you again?” John asked.
“You may.” She answered and her body began to fade until she was no longer there.
“I didn't use to believe in ghost stories.” Zolar said facing the opening.
“Me neither. You first,” John gestured with his Maglite.
“Me? You're the main man.” Zolar countered, feeling slightly skittish.
John held his light up and focused it through the opening. “Another corridor. Looks like a patch work quilt of brown stones.”
“It's a lot cooler in here.” Zolar murmured shivering slightly and followed John.
The tunnel appeared to have been built at an earlier time than the one they had left. The width was so narrow their shoulders occasionally brushed either one wall or the other. The floor felt as if it were on a decline as they proceeded further along. They made several sharp turns as they went further down until it opened into a large chamber. The walls of the chamber were built from a pale unidentifiable stone. It the center of the room was a hole about three feet in diameter.
Shining their lights around John was the first to speak.
“Here's the wall she was talking about.”
There on a mountain was a five pointed star painted in red. At the mountains base was a crude drawing of seven people gathered around a white figure lying on a slab of stone.
John felt himself shiver as he stared at the drawings. Zolar walked around the pit and stood by his side.
