Chapter 20: Where the desire to change comes a little too late

The sound of screeching birds from above caused my eyes to flicker open, waking me from my emotionally-induced slumber. My head turned upon the soft wool of a cloak that smelled like Sable, and my hands drifted along the feathers of his wing. He was laying next to me on his stomach, covering me with his wing and playing with a few strands of my white hair.

“Hello Lillie,” he said with a smile, lifting himself slightly with his elbows. I jolted up, causing him to flinch, and I realized the sun had nearly vanished and the fire was a pitiful smoky pile of ash.

“Sable!” I shouted. “I’ve been asleep all day!”

“Yeah, I know,” he replied while moving his wing behind in a folded position as I scurried up, frantically looking around.

“No! I wasted the whole time—my one day with you. Gone, just like that!”

“It’s okay,” he said lowly, and shifted into a kneeling position. “You seemed to need the extra sleep.” He stood up and stretched his arms over his head, and leaned to the side. The shadow cast upon my face as he shook his extended massive wings, sending waves of air tossing my loose hair around my face. Scents of smoke, charred fish, and wild mushrooms filled my nostrils, realizing I hadn’t wasted the entire day, but the memory of the emotional connection ended in my fits of tears sent my heart racing once again.

“We will have next month,” Sable said after folding his wings, and he bent down to pick up the blanket. I moved off, feeling disgruntled at the mere fact that normally I was the one who determined to end our time together. After all our days and years of visiting, Sable never initiated goodbyes, yet, here he was, folding the blanket and peering over the fire-pit, signaling the end of our meeting.

Oh, no. What have I done?

The following days were filled with anxious thoughts and the unbearable sinking feeling within my stomach. As I continued my strenuous work in the mine, I thought about Sable’s words he ever so boldly stated while gazing over the cliffside. I couldn’t remember everything he said, only the most impactful aspects of his speech:

“Should I continue living a life based on others’ ideals, or do I not know what could be better for myself, or at least can I not learn such attributes for myself?”

I knew Sable’s life—the way of the Teragane—was incredibly strict and ritualistic, forcing him to live a life of solitude—a life of loneliness. Had he made a new resolve to change this according to our friendship? His sadness of the loss of his friendship abiding by training standards was obvious—perchance he was also facing something that would force him into a role he did not want. I had noticed many changes over the year; was he becoming aware of his own happiness and now challenging the way of his people?

“Why not give yourself a better opportunity, a better life for yourself? Why not leave your life in the forest and live here?”

Was Sable challenging me to abandon my life because he thought that is what I wanted, or was it because he was thinking about forsaking his life on the mountain?

“Yes—I am the isolated Teragane from the mountain, but have I not proven myself to be open-minded, capable of understanding new ways of life?”

Was this his way of stating his intentions?

“I just want you to know that I care deeply about you and your life. And, when you’re ready to explain things, or help me understand, I’ll be here, waiting.”

No—this was his statement of intentions.

Have I given Sable too little of my trust? Was I disregarding his emotional capabilities because of our differences in lifestyle? Did I believe his limited understanding of my life could never change? Did we not share similarities, both bound to expectations given by our societies? Was our friendship not proof of our desire to evolve and expand outside of our born status in our cultures? But, how could I ever expect to live a life in the meadow? Could I live with myself if I abandoned my family? What would my parents even say?

They would hate me forever for leaving them, especially for someone outside of our life—a different kind! I could never face them again! And, what about the others? How could I ever explain myself?

No—I did not think it was possible to abandon my life, not after doing everything I could to drag myself from the dirty hole. My life was difficult, challenging to say the least, but I could not just abandon it altogether. I just needed to continue making my way through, establishing myself, and standing up for what I wanted and desired. I had come so far—if I abandoned it now, I could lose everything I had gained over the years of struggle.

What about Sable?

I had no idea what challenges he faced, but perhaps that is where we needed to start. Now that we were learning to communicate more and develop past just a simple, childish friendship, perhaps this was our opportunity to expand on our evolution as individuals, but also our relationship with each other. Perhaps, in the future, we can spend more time together as I learn to navigate my position in the city.

“I was hoping you could meet him this year,” Sable had mentioned about his friend.

It was obvious that Sable was thinking about a future—a combination of our separate worlds—a cross path of the Tamarine and Teragane who fell in love.

“I want to understand your life. I want to know more about the important relationships you have.”

Then, maybe we start there.

***

“I have a bad feeling about this,” Jamie said one afternoon while we pushed a cart together full of new ores that was freshly unearthed, and a strong smell of basalt wafted through the air.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“It’s never a good sign to dig up volcanic rocks,” he responded. “I don’t know exactly, I’m no expert, but something is different about this new tunnel we’ve been making. Try listening.” Upon returning to the excavation tunnel with the empty cart, I did as Jamie suggested, and listened for the difference in the area.

I had been lost in my thoughts for some weeks that I rarely paid attention to the dark surroundings. Underground and in the mine, the walls often shook, rocks shifted, and sometimes there were problems with collapsed tunnels during the excavation process. Tim, David, and Aro would work tiresomely bracing the walls with beams, and sometimes other groups would come to help establish new support beams. When I had first joined, the dangers were hard not to ignore, but after over a year of working in the desolate underground, they were hardly noticeable.

“Do you think we are digging into an underground volcano?” I asked Jamie as we returned to the new excavation tunnel.

“Possibly,” he said, whistling a piercing noise. “Or an old lava flow, but I haven’t felt a change in temperature. Could be ancient, like a past lava flow from an all used up volcano. Just keep an ear and eye open to any sudden changes, yeah? Or, different sounds of the walls. I really don’t feel like being trapped underground.”

“Then what?”

“Then, you tell the boss, you dummie.”

“Jamie!” Tim’s voice called, causing us to look over our shoulder. “Oh, and Lillie.” He walked over to us, nearly dragging a young, blonde boy with spotless clothes, and a nervous expression.

“We’ve got a new member,” Tim said, and pushed the boy towards us. “Peak is your responsibility since you two love wasting time.” He scoffed as he swung his pickaxe over his shoulder, and Jamie waved happily while I looked over at the pile of basalt rocks still left for us to sift through.

“Ah, another pitiful soul has joined the tea party,” Jamie jested, and ruffled the young boy’s clean braided hair.

“Hi there,” Peak said while smiling up at us with his large blue eyes. He looked innocent, too young to be in the dark. “I didn’t realize there was a tea party down here.”

“Oh, yes, one fit for a master, my gullible little man,” Jamie continued and I rubbed my temples, knowing he would only make things harder for the poor kid. “In fact, we dine on plates of sapphires and rubies carved into teacups.”

“Wait, are you serious?” the young boy’s expression of delight began to change as he raised his brow.

“Knives of amethyst. And, jeesh, did I mention the delightful water harvested from the stalactites that are capable of healing even the slightest of wounds?”

“Okay that’s enough messing with the poor kid,” I said while shoving Jamie’s arm, and Peak shook his fists at his side.

“I’m not a kid! I’m fifteen!” Peak shouted, and his voice vibrated off the tunnel walls, causing the beams to creak.

“Oh, jeesh,” Jamie rolled his eyes, then leaned over, sticking his rear out. “You’re just a baby.” He squeezed Peak’s reddened cheeks, causing the new recruit to smack Jamie’s hands away. Of course, this only riled Jamie up more, and he continued to taunt the newcomer.

David suddenly grumbled as he called for Jamie to get back to work hauling the wheelbarrow, and I motioned for Peak to help me over by the pile of rocks in need of sifting. While Jamie ran off, following David while speaking loudly about the volcanic rocks, I showed Peak how to separate the unearthed rocks and place them in the correct carts. The young boy was motivated, but after the long hours of the work, his heavily soiled body trembled. Peak’s arrival reminded me of my own struggle of entering the mine at only fifteen. I wondered what sorrow brought him to such a low point in life, and wanted to help the young boy transition into his new choice of life, regardless if it was a forced decision or not.

Such were my days, working next to Peak and showing him the ropes of the trade, and allowing myself to be the helpful guide who I had desperately wanted when I had first started in the mine. Jamie became relatively helpful in his efforts, although still continued to mess around and avoid as much work as possible, still leaving the mine cleaner than when he had first arrived. I could only assume that he was washing up between the hours, for what else would he be doing when he drifted away from the tunnels?

But, I was thankful for some of his silly antics to distract me from the never ending darkness of the mine, and I had begun to pay more attention to the slight changes Jamie had mentioned before. At some point, I noticed a shift in the air, although nothing capable of explanation. The ore being unearthed dug was supposedly filled with sediment strong enough to smelt into weapons for a far off land ruled by kings of wars. Such value brought immense wealth, and even my own wages began to increase the deeper we went into the volcanic sediment.

However, with each new day, an unwavering feeling of uncertainty began to rise within. I mentioned my uneasiness to Tim, who, without hesitation, called me delusional, and the others told me to quiet down since we were being paid better than those digging for mere copper and tin. Surprisingly, Jamie seemed to be the only other one concerned, regardless of the extra Den we were all bringing home.

I guess he wasn’t as greedy as I once believed.

As spring unfolded within the city, so did the realization that the next full moon would arrive and I began to worry about my visit with Sable. I often avoided facing my emotions, but when conflicted thoughts of him and how I truly felt deep inside would arise, it was often in the dead of night when I should be sleeping, but instead was tossing through the linen. I knew that I cared deeply about him, but was not sure how I could ever explore my growing love—if I could even call it that.

I didn’t really know what love was; I only knew responsibility, taking care of others, and doing what was necessary to survive in a hard world. I did care about my friends, and my family, but the depths of my care hardly seemed something as profound as love—or was it?

Often, it felt like a sense of duty—obligation—a desire to fulfill needs for those in desperation. Yet, I hated the reciprocation if others saw me the same. Perhaps my understanding of complex meaning and depth of motives was something to be explored.

With Sable, I felt peace and comfort, and upon the last visit, I felt safe in his arms, regardless of the burst of pent up emotions I allowed to overflow. He showed me a side of wisdom and insight—maybe that was something he always possessed but never shared for personal reasons. I liked the romantic sensation I felt around him, and yearned to be near as our connection was obviously evolving with each passing season.

I desired to speak openly and freely about my own wants and desires with him, hoping that we could finally allow ourselves the privilege of accepting what deep affection was evolving between us. I didn’t know what would happen, but I knew that his obvious admiration and desire to be with me would not end in rejection if I were to confess my feelings for him.

But, I was not ready to abandon my life in Cedrus City. To leave behind everything I knew to live a simple life in the meadow would be like setting fire to everything I had ever known, and watch it all crumble to ash.

I was building my relationships with others, I was establishing my independence from my parents, and found great joy in helping others around me, even if I didn’t quite understand my deeper motives behind my efforts. If I left, I would not only abandon myself, but all those who relied heavily on me. I still had a place in the city, even if I hated the mines. Taffy was beginning to involve me in her work whenever Tim allowed me to step aside from my position, utilizing me as a useful resource when carrying out important messages. My father was proud of me, and my mother was content with my work.

There was a lot for me in the city, and we were still so young and had much to learn. It would be reckless to abandon it all, just for the sake of being selfish and living with complete freedom with the mysterious young man from the mountain. I wanted to keep Sable in my life, and he obviously wanted to make changes for himself too, so perhaps we could find a way to make our lives join together—maybe Sable didn’t have to always go back to the mountain. If he could suggest me abandoning my life in the city, then perhaps he was willing to make a compromise in order for us to be together.

But, could I live with myself knowing that he abandoned his life for me?

“Lillie,” my mother called from the front door after she had left the kitchen while I prepared dinner for my family. I wiped my hands on my clean blouse, and walked down the hall, suddenly gasping.

“Jadis!” I shouted after spotting her shimmering figure standing at the end of the hall at the open doorway. I hurried my pace and my mother moved aside. “What are you doing here?”

“I wanted to ask if you’re interested in helping me once again,” Jadis said while her eyes moved around as she observed me. “My goodness—your hair.” I suddenly realized it had been over two years since I last saw Jadis, and I grabbed my braided hair, twisting the ends.

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“Yeah, it turned white over the years,” I said while my eyes darted. “Anyway, what do you need?”

“How intriguing—I’ve never seen such white hair—not even on older people—well, except one.” I looked up at Jadis, and my mother gave a low scoff as she lingered nearby. “Did something happen?”

“Uh—not that I am aware of,” I said, and nervously glanced at my mother, then back to Jadis, noticing that her hair was a silver gray—like most Tamarine’s that were fading away from their natural, youthful shades.

“How strangely intriguing,” Jadis said as she lifted her hand and gently picked up my braid, still lingering her eyes upon the white strands. “I’ve heard of legends of the white-hair guides from the past.” My heart began to race as my mother loudly cleared her throat, and Jadis’ eyes drifted in a whimsical trance.

“There’s nothing special nor legendary about fading youth,” my mother suddenly sneered as she stepped closer to me, and Jadis finally snapped out of her dreamy state as her eyes looked over at my mother who dourly tapped her arms. “Lillie is just aging faster than usual—most likely from being in the mines.”

“That’s where you’ve been?” Jadis asked as she looked at me again and released my hair. I could hear the disappointment in her voice, but I nodded, and, once again, asked what she needed.

“Would you be interested in helping me find some rare plants?” she finally asked, and I glanced over at my mother, who suddenly changed expressions.

“Of course she will,” my mother said, feigning friendliness. “Lillie would be happy to help—for a fair price, of course. As I’m sure you know, work in the mines is long, and stressful, and anything extra should be compensated.”

I had to hold back the desire to scoff, wishing my mother could listen to her own observations of my life, yet Jadis only agreed, and my mother invited her in to continue discussing details over an evening meal. As my mother led the way into the kitchen where she continued to prepare the meal I was making, Jadis and I sat at the table, but her eyes still drifted occasionally as she observed my white hair.

“It is quite destiny for me to return to your side, don’t you think?” Jadis asked lowly as she patted my hand rested on the table.

“I am happy to see you again—I do miss the apothecary, but I have been keeping up with returning to the forest, and making tinctures when needed.”

“Well done, my child. I always knew that you were more promising than the rising sun. Your keen abilities will be most helpful, as I have been recently approached by a wealthy benefactor requesting a certain tincture—something to help him” —she looked intently at me with raised brows— “qualities he seeks to enhance.”

“Sounds rather—“ I paused as I looked over Jadis’ shoulder, observing my mother listening with her ears perked, regardless of her attempt to hide her snooping.

“Magical—but we will not speak such things, for witchcraft is frowned upon, and could easily get us thrown out.” Jadis winked and then patted my hand again, although my thoughts were more impetuous, for what else would a wealthy Tamarine man be seeking to enhance?

Jadis was always dreamy in her ideas.

“Interestingly,” Jadis continued while my mother served us bowls of stew. “The Tamarine lord also has white hair. Perhaps I will ask him some questions about its legends.”

“Sounds intriguing,” I replied, but as my mother sat down to eat as well, Jadis and I exchanged glances that it was best to speak less about ideas of legends and magic with other ears listening.

Jadis continued to explain the type of moss she was needing for me to gather from the forest, as well as a few other ingredients she claimed that she would write down, her suspicious winks indicating the taboo subject even further, and we planned to meet after the full moon to create the enhancement tincture in which she promised would be handsomely compensated.

My father returned from his evening stroll, and only slightly grunted after being introduced to Jadis, and he sat down quietly to eat his evening meal, seemingly unbothered by us women chatting about the latest gossip within the city. After Jadis finished eating, I escorted her out, and she wrapped her arms around me, causing a waft of lavender to intermix with the redolence of the balcony.

“I’m so glad for this opportunity to see you again,” Jadis said as she placed her hand upon my cheek. “You’ve changed a lot, but all good things, I assure you, for your confidence is unwavering, your strength unbreakable. I’m proud of you, I hope you know that.”

“Oh?” I said, feeling unaccustomed to such praises, and she drifted her hand away, then twirled her shimmering, silver shawl as she bid me farewell, and descended the staircase as I said goodbye. I pondered for a moment as I listened to the fading footsteps, wondering what motivated her to seek me out, and how she described her perspective of me of one of pride, rather of resentfulness.

I suddenly thought of my other mentor, Historia, and wondered if she too wondered where I was, and would accept me back in her life, now that I was beginning to establish my own capabilities, and my parents were accepting me more and more. They hardly could threaten her existence or influence, especially now that my abilities to read and write were benefitting my salary—even in the mine.

“Oh, excuse me,” I heard Jadis say from below.

“No, please excuse me,” I heard Jamie’s voice mutter. “I had not expected to be granted such a privilege to pass a shimmering goddess this lovely night.” I rolled my eyes, imagining Jamie bowing dramatically as Jadis passed him, and I heard him run up the steps, and he approached the balcony with a his charming smile.

“You really know how to collect the most exquisite company,” he said while adjusting the embroidered collar of his blue shirt.

“Maybe she is friends of my mother,” I said while leaning against the balcony, and Jamie stroked his chin for a moment.

“But, she smells like you,” he said, and flicked his finger up. “Lavender, to be precise.” His blue eyes softened as he grinned widely, and I suddenly felt uncomfortable, and moved over to the door.

“I’ll tell my father that you’re here.”

“Stay here.” His grin vanished, and his voice sounded rather desperate. “Bene will come regardless, for it is his religion to smoke each night. So, my dear, stay with me. Tell me another fascinating story, specifically about this goddess you have befriended.”

“I have a lot to do tonight,” I said, and pushed the door open. “Have a good night.”

“Lillie—please, stay—just another moment with me. Just one story, one quote, one—“

“Tell yourself a story.”

My voice was cold, but my stomach twisted with all the complexities of the evening events as I moved inside the house and returned to my bedroom. I was grateful for Jadis to return, thought about what she had said about my hair, and planned to venture into the forest in the early morning of the full moon on my way to visit with Sable.

That would give me time to think how I will confess my feelings for him.

The following day I went to work feeling overwhelmed with new concepts. It was the day before the full moon and I began mentally preparing myself how to articulate the profoundness of my affection for Sable, and how we can build a future together—for, that is what I believed we both wanted.

Although I had often felt childhood was stolen, my age was finally catching up to me, despite that I felt my mind was still young and ignorant of the world. But, I felt mature enough to begin making steps to establish a better life for myself—a life I desperately desired to control. Both Lara and Jamie danced their way into my heart, now Jadis had arrived, and I quickly began to think of a way to return to Historia’s library, although fear of losing her books to my father’s rage still caused me to hesitate. Now, with Sable, I was ready to find a way to fit him into the complexities of my existence.

“Watch your step!” Aro yelled at Peak as he stumbled over some rocks. “Why do they keep allowing children to enter the mines?”

“I’m sorry!” Peak pleaded, reminding me heavily of my first year in the mine. My heart ached for his difficulties of being accepted, and I hated how the others treated him, and how desperate he tried to work alongside us without making mistakes. He struggled with sifting, or identifying ores, repeating everything that I endured when I had first arrived.

“It’s ridiculous to put two beginners together,” Aro said, shaking her head at Tim’s direction while they both glared at each other.

“Don’t tell me what is best,” he grumbled. “I’d rather the children do the sifting.”

“Oh, and make even more mistakes?”

“Shut up.” Their voices rumbled as they drifted down the tunnel, and the sound of pickaxes crushing through the volcanic walls echoed throughout. I removed my goggles over my head, and wiped away the sweat from my brow as I peered down at Peak who was sniffling as he attempted to examine the rocks like an expert.

“Don’t listen to them,” I said and nudged the side of his boot with mine. “You’re still learning and—“

Suddenly, the tunnel began to shake, causing me to stumble and Peak shot up and latched onto my arm while we both looked around. I remembered the terrifying sensation when I had first entered the mine, and how often people told me to just numb myself to the natural rumbling of the underground.

However, this felt different.

Like a thunderous cry from the underground, the earth below our feet shuddered, sending vibrations through my limbs, and Peak squealed as he dug his nails deeper into my arm while gripping me until the rumbling stopped.

“Did you guys feel that?” Jamie suddenly said, appearing behind us as he returned to the excavation tunnel from one of his little trips. I looked over at him while Peak slowly released his grip, and, by lantern light, Jamie’s expression was by no means entertained. The sounds of the others continuing their digging echoed through the tunnel, but Jamie, Peak, and I stood stiffly in our fearful positions.

“That was weird,” I replied and crouched, then placed my hand onto the ground. Jamie moved over to my side and crouched down as well, and Peak at my other side.

“It sounds like there is empty space underneath us,” Jamie whispered. “I could hear it vibrating as if we are digging right over something completely open.”

“Could it be old lava tunnels?” I asked, and Jamie bobbed his head, but I suddenly felt something odd from the earth—something like a heartbeat.

“We should tell Tim,” I said, and Jamie tilted his head as he scowled.

“Don’t think for a second that I hadn’t already done so. I already told him that we are digging ourselves right over earth’s providence of our early demise. But, as usual, the idiot never takes me serious.”

“Maybe because you are never serious.”

“Oh, that’s a good point. Anyway, he doesn’t care, and no one listens to me, after you so astutely pointed out. So, we have no other choice but to do something rather nasty.” I jolted my head, and Jamie simply ticked with his tongue as he smoothed out his hair, taking off his goggles as he rose into a standing position. “You, my dear, should go inform Taffy. You’re running maps to her anyway, yes? Yes, please, save us all Lillie, for I would rather not discover whether or not my assumptions are correct. I really hate being proven right in these cases.”

I glanced over at Peak, then rose into a standing position, feeling unnerved by Jamie’s keen sense of our predicament. He may be unserious and rather silly at times, but, for some reason, he was often precise in his astute observations.

I moved up the tunnel to return to the main cavern, and Peak followed me, as he often did. Tim had informed me to return to Taffy at the next opportune moment that day, and I decided to do what every boss hated—reporting to their boss.

“Hey, don’t worry so much,” I said loudly while looking over at Peak as he hardly said a word, and fear still lingered in his baby, blue eyes. “It’s part of the dangers in the mine. But, you already knew that, right?”

“But, what if Jamie is right?” he muttered while keeping his eyes down. “What if—“

“We’re gonna be okay—work in the mine is always risky, and that is why we take extra precaution and have safety measures to predict these things. You learned about the canary birds, right? Jamie, might I add, doesn’t work in either field, and is probably just trying to get out of work.” Peak looked up at me as we pressed against the side of a tunnel, allowing a worker to push a cart by.

“Okay,” Peak said as he forced a smile, and I patted the top of his head, ruffling his blonde hair that had loosely come out of its braids.

“You should learn to make smaller braids, your hair is falling out. Oh, also, I won’t be here tomorrow, so stick close to Jamie if you can, and remember everything I’ve taught you.”

“What? You mean I’ll be alone—without you?”

“You’ll be alright and you will be with the others. If you need something, just ask, and don’t take shit from anyone. Okay?” Peak lowered his head as we continued walking through the tunnel, finally entering the main cavern that was blazing with open furnaces and noisy from brawling mules and hammers clanging on anvils. “I know it’s tough down here, but you seem strong and determined. Just focus on your work, and stay out of Tim’s way.”

He quietly mumbled as we weaved through the busy work area, and we stepped onto the wooden platform of Taffy’s work station, where she immediately handed me a map, but then asked for me to deliver several other messages to a few other teams.

“Before I go, I need to tell you something,” I said as Taffy began jotting down notes as she sat at her work table.

“What’s on on your mind, sweetheart?” she asked while her hands swiftly moved along the parchment, and I inhaled deeply while fumbling with the folded papers in my hand.

“Um, so, there was this pretty intense noise earlier in the tunnels my team is excavating,” I began, and Peak shifted while standing next to me.

“There are always intense noises,” she said with a chuckle.

“Well, this one was different—one of the members of our team stated that they believe there’s an open space underneath us—maybe an old lava tunnel, since, you know we’ve been digging up the volcanic rocks this whole time.”

“Yes, that is a possibility as they’ve been seeking out Pāhoehoe, but, didn’t the inspection team already check that out?“ Taffy suddenly paused and lowered the charcoal pencil, and looked up at me. “What did the survey report?”

I shrugged, and Taffy suddenly rose to her feet, bumping her table as she moved over to the pile of papers on one of the shelves. She pushed through the parchment a little more frantically than I would have desired, and I felt Peak suddenly grab my wrist with trembling hands.

“Shit—not again,” Taffy remarked, and began rubbing her temples as she paused looking at the papers. “Why is it always when we find Pāhoehoe?”

She turned, looked at me, then sighed.

“Please don’t tell me Tim skipped over the inspection group?” she mumbled, and I shrugged, feeling nervous now that Taffy’s demeanor had changed.

“Uh, I’m not sure, but I—some of us don’t feel safe,” I said, and Peak nodded his head, and I patted his hand. Taffy’s eyes softened, then she pointed to the papers in my hand.

“Welp, thanks for letting me know, and I apologize for Tim’s negligence. Seems that he was competing for this new excavation tunnel since it pays more. Skipping inspection, ha. What an idiot. So, give me those and return to your team. You can have the joy of reporting to Tim to come to me. Then, if you truly believe the tunnel is unstable, then go ahead and clear out the whole group.”

“What if Tim doesn’t listen to me and forces us all to keep working?”

“Sweetheart, just leave. Okay? All of you. I’ll get this mess sorted, for now, just go back and get everyone out until we can get a proper inspection team. Lives are more important than Den, right?”

“Right.”

After I returned the messages to Taffy and Peak and I moved through the cavern once again, I felt slightly better knowing that I had the power to use my voice to seek help when leaders were being careless of other’s lives. I was grateful for Taffy and whatever power she held, and was thankful that Jamie encouraged me to do something rather brave, even if he wasn’t willing—the coward.

I didn’t care about the repercussions, only that I could confidently inform Tim that he was being summoned by his boss for being negligent and careless—a feat rather daring in itself.

“Leave the tunnel? Fah! Who do you think you are?” Tim snarled after I had informed him of Taffy’s instruction. The others continued swinging their pickaxes at the end of the volcanic tunnel, but Jamie and Peak lingered behind me, ready to leave when given the chance.

“I informed Taffy about the instability of the tunnel and since there was no inspection team, she instructed us to vacate until one is sent to observe the tunnel,” I said firmly. “You know, since you skipped past such a vital key to our safety.” Tim’s growing temper caused me to cast my eyes aside, and the alarming rumble of the underground began to increase, and the vibration sent a shiver down my spine.

“So, since Taffy has taken a liking to you, you think you can just command me all day long, huh?” Tim sneered, and the veins upon his sweaty, dirty forehead began to emerge whenever his temper grew. “I should have never given you the chance to move up. You can’t just skip your way up to the top. You’re just a lowly girl.”

“And you’re just a greedy man who doesn’t care about others,” I replied, and gasping echoed, only causing Tim to continue snarling his yellowing teeth. I looked behind the man, noticing that David, Mira, and Aro had paused their digging, and suddenly the walls began to shake again, this time, a thundering noise rang throughout.

“It’s not safe here,” I declared, and motioned for the others to move away from the walls. “We need to leave.”

“Oh, now you’re an expert in inspection? Ho!” Tim shouted, but the others began moving closer to us.

“Tim, did you even get an inspection team to survey?” Aro asked as she stood by his side, and the man only scoffed as he angrily began to shake his fist, claiming that everyone was being lazy and cowardly, stating that it was all a ploy to get out of work.

But, as the others began looking around with shifting eyes, I felt the ground vibrate, and distinctly heard something that resembled a heartbeat—something was moving the earth and fast.

I looked behind, catching Jamie’s fearful eyes, and he grabbed Peak’s arm.

“We need to go!” Jamie shouted, and spun around as he dragged Peak along.

A cascading rhythm of clinking iron tools being tossed to the side echoed around the tunnel as everyone abandoned their post, and began running down the vibrating passageway.

For so long, every mine worker numbed themselves to the dangers surrounding them. It took me only a year before I was able to deafen my ears to the terrifying sounds of the underground. However, despite such efforts to survive the work, the instincts of being alerted to danger overtook me and the others as we abandoned the end of the tunnel, and desperately scurried up the passageway to some sort of safety from a danger we were too frightened to even acknowledge.

The lanterns hanging from the support beams swayed, tossing uncertain prospects of visibility. My body trembled as the ground shook, and a horrible sound of crashing pierced my ears. The splitting of wooden beams cracked like lightning across the sky, and the formidable sound of rocks moving caused my limbs to be fueled by fear alone.

Jamie and Peak were running before me, their blonde braids swaying from their strides suddenly disappeared, and all I could hear were their desperate cries of screaming that were quickly fading.

I stopped, afraid to fall where they had, and turned around, and watched the others shadowy figures disappear into darkness as the lanterns extinguished faster than I could anticipate.

The ground below my feet disappeared, and I began to plummet into the depths of the unknown, being swallowed by an abyss that was filled with the rumbling noises that only engulfed me as the screams of the dying filled the air, and I felt as if I would breathe no more.