Moonbow

by Sheila Hollinghead

  After a few hours, she didn't know how long, she awoke, still tired, but alert. All was a velvety blackness around her, the thickness making it difficult to breathe. Gisa fumbled for the flashlight, found it, and flipped the switch. It did not come on. She bumped it with the palm of her hand but still nothing. Great. If she had to dive, and she knew of no other way out, she'd have no light to guide her.

  The other flashlight was still in the bag, but it wasn’t waterproof. Still it would provide light now. She groped in the dark for the bag, pulled it to her, and felt inside until she found it. She switched it on and checked the baby. He slept, his forehead smooth. She shone the light around the cave. The walls sparkled in the light but showed no means of escape. Nothing but solid wall. She turned the flashlight off to conserve the batteries. She didn't know how long she could stand the thick darkness that threatened to drown her before her will failed, and she turned it back on.

  She searched for the bag, stuck her hand in, and by feel, counted the bottles of water left. Six. If she conserved, it might last three days. Her milk would dry up if she did not stay hydrated. Perhaps she could drink the water that gently lapped at the rocky ledge. That would be a last resort, of course. Without a means of sterilization, it would probably kill her. She opened one of the bottles of water and sipped slowly.

  She already knew little of the food remained, so there was no need to check. The baby let out a cry, and she picked him up to nurse. Could she abandon him, if it came down to it? Could she leave the child here, in the dark, to face death alone? And if she couldn't, how long would they last?

  Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of the child's death. She had to find a way to get them both out. She picked up the flashlight again. There was one area that she hadn’t searched—the wall behind her. She stood up, cradling the baby in one arm, and shone the light on the rock. Her pulse quickened—an opening. The hole was roughly three inches in diameter and about four feet above the ledge. She knelt and laid the baby back into the bag. He fussed and then quieted as she stroked his back. As soon as he was still, she stood, eager to examine the opening in the wall. She was able to get two fingers through and felt cool air. Her heart leapt to her throat. It had to open to the outside! She peered through but only darkness greeted her. Could she enlarge it? She clawed at it but only met hard resistance.

  Did she have anything that might help her? She fell to her knees and searched through the backpack. The knife! She clambered to her feet and began hacking at the rock. The blade broke, and she cried aloud with frustration. She continued beating the rock with the broken knife but made no progress.

  Did she have anything else to use? She searched the bag. Nothing. She clawed at the hole in frustration until the partially healed cuts on her hands bled. She slid down the wall until she ended with her knees pulled up under her chin. Turning off the flashlight, she sat in the darkness, despair washing over her.

  Rayden had said to believe in the dark what she knew in the light. Easy to say and so hard to do! A tear rolled down her cheek, and she swiped it away. There had to be a way out with the baby. Someway...she had to think.

  It was possible that another diver might come into the cavern, remotely possible that he would come this far into the cave. Only master divers came here. Chances were slight that the divers she had seen would venture this far. And she had taken one of the tanks. Still, they had a tank left. Would one of the men dive by himself, perhaps to look for whoever had stolen the gear? Would he even think the person stealing the tank was in here? And what if David came instead? She shuddered at the possibility.

  But even if another diver came in here, they would be faced with the same problem—how to get the baby out. Gisa sighed and stretched out on the ledge, unable to see a solution to the problem. Even if there was a way, wouldn't Die Auserwählten be waiting to take the child away? At the thought, tears began in earnest.

  No! They would never take him from her. But right now they weren't going to have the chance. There was no way out of this cave except to dive. And that would kill the child.

  * * *

  Rayden

  Rayden sat at the Pierce's table, ice on his hands. Prometheus was curled up at his feet. Mrs. Pierce had gently washed away the blood on his face, and he had let her without protest. Every muscle in his body throbbed, but his distress over not finding Gisa overshadowed any physical pain he felt. The dawn had not yet broken but was near. Maybe with daylight they could make some headway, find some clue.

  Where could she be? How could she have disappeared so completely? They had searched everywhere. The Pierces had organized the other four camping families into a search party, but they had turned up nothing.

  Mr. Pierce sat across from him. "I think it's time to call in the police. I have no idea what's going on James—why you and Pam are so adamant about not contacting them."

  Rayden didn't answer but turned to Mrs. Pierce who was wringing her wrinkled hands. "What exactly did she say when she was here?"

  "Nothing...just that y'all were separated. She seemed upset about it. If I'd only kept her here..." Her eyes clouded with tears.

  "Don't blame yourself. Those men who were after her, if they had broken in here...then what?" Rayden shook his head, not wanting to imagine what might have happened to the Pierces.

  Could he expect the Pierces to help when so far they knew nothing? He had no resources left—his money was gone, his backpack—he had nothing. Even if he found Gisa, what then? Where would they go? What would they do?

  He only had one way out—accept help from the people who sat across from him. But would they help him without knowing what was going on? Could they trust him? Could he trust them? What alternative did he have? He was out of options, and he had to have help to find Gisa.

  He lowered his head, staring at his hands. "This is a long story...to begin with, my name is not James. I'm Rayden—Dr. Rayden Brooks."

  Neither spoke. Rayden looked up to search their eyes. They were both leaning forward, interest on their face but no condemnation.

  Mr. Pierce, his green eyes alert, gave him a short nod. "Go on."

  GISA SAT IN the darkness, despair washing over her. She had again tried to enlarge the hole in the wall above her with the broken knife but had no success. She considered her options. If she left the baby, she could seek help. But if David and his men were still searching for her, what then? They would get the baby out, somehow, wouldn't they? She was sure they could figure out something, what she didn't know. And they would save the baby, but what would happen to her? Would they discard her now? Or, maybe breed her to another man? Or, force her to carry another clone?

  If David had given up, gone away, then perhaps she could find someone to help get the baby out. The Pierces would probably still be here, and she could go to them. Surely, Mr. Pierce would help her. But...they would probably insist on calling the authorities. Perhaps the fire department would figure out some way to remove the child, some way she couldn't figure out on her own. But if the police were called in, which surely they would be, wouldn't Die Auserwählten find out? And again, the same scenario—the baby safe, but she would be in danger.

  And really, would the baby be safe? If he were Hitler's clone, and looking at his chubby cheeks and clenched hands, she didn't believe it, but if he were, wouldn't they raise him to be evil? Wouldn't that be the reason they wanted Hitler's clone? To allow an evil leader to take control?

  But if she stayed here with the baby, they both would die. She flipped on the flashlight to check on him. He was sleeping peacefully, one arm raised above his head. Her heart constricted. Whatever option she chose just led to heartache for her and him.

  With limited options, their time together running out, Gisa needed to name him, even if it was only temporary. She closed her eyes and thought of the names she had learned in her Bible studies. Azariah meant "helped by God," rather ironic for that to be the first name to consider since God had not offered any help up to now. She tried to think
of other names, but Azariah whispered around each of them. She admitted she liked the sound of it.

  She picked the baby up, looked into his eyes, and said his name. He wrinkled his forehead and then smiled. Gisa gasped. She had heard that these early smiles were simply a case of gas. But this looked like a genuine smile. She held him close, and he began to nurse. She flipped the flashlight off and leaned back against the wall, contentment flowing through her. No matter what happened, she had this. This moment with Azariah.

  He fell asleep, and she remained holding him, drawing comfort from his warmth. Gradually, she became aware that not all was darkness. High in the top of the cave streamed a thin ray of light. Tears of happiness sprang to her eyes. The thin ray of light didn't help her, but it was good to know light existed somewhere in the world.

  She bent her head to Azariah and kissed him as tears flowed down her cheeks.

  * * *

  Rayden

  When Rayden finished his story, he studied the faces of the Pierces. They had both listened intently to his every word and both looked thoughtful, not judgmental.

  Mr. Pierce cleared his throat. "That's a fantastic story, Rayden. It would be difficult for me to believe, but it so happens I've heard of Die Auserwählten."

  Fear tapped in Rayden's veins. Could he have made a terrible mistake confiding in them? Was this kindly old couple part of Die Auserwählten?

  Mr. Pierce was eyeing him. "I haven't told you what profession I retired from. I was a police officer."

  "Pshaw," Mrs. Pierce said. "He was a police commissioner."

  Rayden could only stare. He had put his life into this man's hands, told him he was wanted for questioning in a murder investigation. He pushed up on the table, but Mr. Pierce waved him back down.

  "Don't worry, son. I believe your story. I know of Die Auserwählten and actually had investigators on it. Never could get any info from the FBI or CIA. Never was able to find out much about them." He rubbed the side of his face. "But I found out a few things. We'll thrash that out later. Right now we need to find Gisa."

  Mrs. Pierce put a hand to her heart. "Oh, my. We have to find that poor child."

  Rayden furrowed his brow. Did she mean the baby? No, she had to mean Gisa. He nodded his head, banged his fist on the table, and winced as the pain traveled up his arm. He ignored it. "Time is running out. But where could she be? Die Auserwählten searched; we searched. It's like she vanished into thin air."

  Mr. Pierce rubbed his chin. "You know what Sherlock Holmes said: When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable..."

  "...must be the truth," Rayden finished for him. "But have we eliminated the impossible? And what would the improbable be?"

  "The sun's up. Let's retrace our steps and see what we can find in the light." Mr. Pierce stood.

  Rayden nodded. "Let's go."

  * * *

  Gisa

  Gisa couldn't take her eyes off the thin beam of light. There had to be a hole up there. But what good would it do her? The hole the light came through had to be tiny, perhaps only an inch, maybe less. If she swam out of the cave and searched for the hole, to perhaps enlarge it, she'd never find it—it was much too small. And Azariah would still be twenty feet below. How would she get him out? Again, she would have to depend on someone with a drill or a pick, someone who had the means to be lowered down through the opening, if one could even be made. And the authorities would be called and questions asked. She shook her head and closed her eyes to the light.

  But still it beckoned her. She opened her eyes again and contemplated it. She laid Azariah back into his make-shift bed and stood on the ledge, looking up. Maybe it wasn't twenty feet, maybe it was only fifteen. It was hard to judge distances in the dark cave. If only she had the means to reach it...but she had no way and wasn't sure why she wanted to so badly.

  To distract her mind, she switched the flashlight back on and gazed at Azariah. She thought back to Gibran's poem. Would she ever get the chance to be the bow? How did the line go?

  She spoke the words out loud. "Life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

  You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth."

  She touched his cheek. "My living arrow. Where will you land?" What did fate have in store for him? To die here in the darkness? No, she had to find a way out. She would find a way out. If he were truly an arrow, she could send him on his way, shoot him into that beam of light. Maybe she couldn't shoot him...but...she did have arrows. Six of them. And a bow. Excitement coursed through her.

  Would it work?

  RAYDEN AND MR. Pierce walked along the fence, and Rayden showed Mr. Pierce how he had crossed it from the tree. From this side, however, the branch was beyond reach. They checked the fence, accompanied by Prometheus, but found no trees that were close enough to be of use, even if a woman, who was nine months pregnant, could have climbed them. And there were no holes or loose boards in the fence that Gisa could have climbed through. The only hole they found was the one Prometheus had dug, and it was not large enough for a person to fit.

  Mr. Pierce rubbed his chin. "I would say it was impossible for her to get out through the fence. Agreed?"

  "Yes." Rayden kicked at the leaves, scattering them. "What next?"

  "I think we can also both agree it was impossible for her to have gone through the entry. You said three SUVs were blocking the way."

  Rayden rubbed the stubble from his haircut with both hands, ending with his fingers laced on top of his head. "Yes, I agree. But what does that leave? Where else could she have gone?"

  Mr. Pierce slowly shook his head. "We've searched the buildings at the springs. Do you want to check them again?"

  Rayden shrugged. "Sure. Why not?"

  They walked down the incline. Two men met them on the swath of grass. One threw up a hand to stop them.

  "Hey, Mr. Pierce, I wondered if you could be on the lookout. My scuba gear came up missing yesterday."

  Rayden stepped closer to the man. "Yesterday? What time?" His heart began drumming in his chest.

  * * *

  Gisa

  Gisa unzipped the case and lifted the bow. She practiced pulling back the string. Yes, it was difficult, but she managed. Good thing her parents had made her take lessons in every sport imaginable. Archery had been her favorite. And she had been pretty good. Still, to basically hit a bull's eye from this distance, could she do it? There was only one way to find out.

  She searched through the other bags until she dug out the fishing line and duct tape. She tore off the thinnest strip of tape she could manage by using just her fingers. Too bad she had broken the knife. No matter. She'd just have to make do.

  She laid the end of the fishing line on an arrow and taped it in place. It would affect her aim, but she didn't know how much or in what direction. It would be a matter of trial and error.

  She picked up the bow, nocked the arrow, and aimed it at the beam of light. Saying a silent prayer, she pulled back the string to her ear and released it. The arrow flew up and hit far to the right. It bounced off, fell into the water, and she pulled it in by the line. The feathers were wet. She'd never shot arrows with wet feathers and wasn't sure if it would change their flight or not. She had five more dry arrows to try, though.

  She went through the procedure again, taping the end of the fishing line to the arrow. She took her stance, praying fervently, aimed and released the arrow. The target point, made of steel, slid into the shaft of light and held. Gisa let out a yelp of joy. She got it on the second try!

  She had awoken Azariah. He cried out, and she picked him up and nursed him. If her plan worked, she'd soon have him out. She whispered a prayer, Please, God. Let it work.

  * * *

  Rayden

  "Yes," Rayden lied. "I've been scuba diving before."

  The man eyed him with uncertainty. "This equipment is expensive."

  Rayden might have to deck him before it was over with.
He forced his voice to stay calm. "I promise if anything happens, I'll make it good. How's that?"

  "This gear is set up for me. Why can't I do the dive?" The man narrowed his eyes. "My buddy already lost his stuff, and now you expect me to trust you with mine?"

  Rayden stepped closer. "I'm doing this. I'll pay you double whatever you paid for this gear." How he would do that, he didn't know. Somehow, though, he would do whatever it took.

  "Do you have any idea how much this stuff costs?" Incredulity spread across the man's reddening face.

  "I. Don't. Care." Rayden grabbed the man by his shirt, but Mr. Pierce pulled him back.

  The man had thrown his arms in the air and walked away. Mr. Pierce ran after him, catching his arm and speaking quietly. Rayden leaned forward, his hands on his knees, breathing deeply. Maybe he should give in and let the guy go after Gisa, if indeed she was in the cave. They had eliminated the impossible so now they were down to the improbable. She had to be in there.

  Mr. Pierce returned with the gear. Rayden didn't ask how he had managed it. He just thanked God that he had and began to don the equipment.

  * * *

  Gisa

  Azariah had finished nursing and was snuggled in his bag. She was afraid to zip it up, but if she didn't he might fall out. How much oxygen would the bag hold? Would it be enough? No, she was too afraid to zip it completely up. She left it partially opened.

  She checked the gauge. There was 75 pounds of pressure left. She'd used up 125 pounds—but she had that encounter with the lamprey, and her breathing had been erratic. This time, she would remain calm. It should be enough to get her out—it had to be. After strapping on the tank and mask, she slid off the ledge into the water but held onto the edge and tried to orient herself by the flashlight. Too bad it wasn't waterproof. She'd make it some way, though. She had no other choice.