To quickly recap: Friends Eve and Sara were rock climbing and stumbled across a large cave with primitive drawings on its walls. A rock slide traps them inside. Having little choice, they go deeper into the cave, hoping to find another exit. The cave system seems to be a mixture of natural and man-made and the further into it they go, the stranger Eve starts acting. Just as Sara thinks they’re getting close to a way out, Eve shoves her off of a ledge into a chasm. Now they must each find their way. But there's something else going on as well . . . Sara knows part of what’s happening, but Eve is caught in a dangerous web.
The fungus was every bit as unpleasant as Eve remembered. She ate slowly, not to savor it but to keep from getting sick as she did before. Once the cramping in her stomach eased she stopped and broke off several large pieces for later. This time she had her empty pack with her and she stuffed it full of the fungus, then made her way back to the mosaic.
The pile of stones she’d gathered had diminished from the repairs she’d made. She needed more if she was to finish repairing the mosaic and complete the spiral. Sinking slowly to the ground she felt like weeping at the thought of returning to where she’d found the loose stones. It was so far, and she was so tired. Her eyes closed.
Above her, a ripple of light passed over the mosaic. It followed the pattern but when it got to the spiral it pulsed once and then disappeared. Eve woke with a start.
This wasn’t gathering new stones. She needed to go, she needed to hurry. Time was growing short. Scrambling to her feet, she dumped the fungus from her pack into a pile and stuffed her empty water bottles inside. She would be passing right by where she’d found the water, she might as well fill them up.
First things first though. She must get the stones. As an afterthought she stuffed a couple of pieces of the fungus in her pack as well, just in case she got hungry. Eve followed the shortcut passage, never stopping, never hesitating until she returned to the section of the cave system where she’d found the stones used in the mosaic.
This time she chose the stones more carefully, rejecting three for every one she put in the pack. She ate the fungus she’d brought with her absently; the empty bottles went back into the mesh. Her movements slowed. She was so thirsty. Why hadn’t she stopped for water? She could have brought it with her and got more on her return. The stones she’d been gathering began to glow.
Shaking her head, she continued with her task until her pack was full once more. It was all she could do to shoulder her pack. Stumbling, she almost fell. The stones began to pulse as she staggered back the way she’d come. She had to keep going, no matter the cost.
Eve had only a vague recollection of the cul-de-sac with the trickle of water. Her thinking was so muddled that she might have imagined it. She hoped not. Thirst was growing with every step she took back towards the split.
If she’d had the tears to spare, she would have wept when she found it. Her pack slid to the ground. Unable to wait, she plunged her face into the shallow bowl of water and drank deeply.
The water was cool and refreshing and she felt immeasurably better when she raised her head, gulping air instead. She filled the first two bottles but had to wait until the bowl filled again before filling the third.
She took a few moments to rest. The fog in her mind started to clear away. Suddenly, she realized she’d left her lantern in the cave with the mosaic, but she could see without it. How was this possible?
A shiver went up her spine. This wasn’t natural. There was something very strange going on. Grabbing up her water bottles she stuffed them into the mesh on her pack, then eyed the load of stones. There was no reason she had to lug all these stones so far. She could leave half of them here and come back for them later.
She reached out her hand to do just that but stopped just short of touching the flap. Trying again she felt a stir of panic when she wasn’t able touch the clasp that held her pack closed. Looked like she could either leave them behind or take all of them with her. The stones began to glow once more as she shouldered the pack.
By the time she made her way back to the cave with the mosaics, her thoughts were no longer her own again. She went directly over to the abstract mural and just stood there in front of it. Everything became clear to her again. She was here to finish the mural. It was her sole purpose.
Eve began placing the stones with care, slower this time, taking a break as needed for a bite of fungus or a sip of water. She must not fail. She would not fail. She would finish the mural and all would be right with the world. Freedom beckoned.
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Missed an installment? Catch up here: Part One, Part Two, Part Three, Part Four, Part Five, Part Six, Part Seven, Part Eight, Part Nine, Part Ten, Part Eleven, Part Twelve, Part Thirteen, Part Fourteen, Part Fifteen, Part Sixteen, Part Seventeen, Part Eighteen
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