73 Falling In The Dark (1/2)

Root and Mist waited inside the large crevice that leads them to a tight, narrow shortcut to the next cold spring. Tie and May arrived after a few minutes with Spat leading the way. The four of them were getting ready to leave ahead of the tribe. Once they reach the next cold spring, they would travel backward on the broader path to meet them halfway.

Spat said his goodbye to the four of them before they left and then ran as fast as possible to return to Mabel. But he was stopped by the Chief. ”Spat! Sorry but could you give this to Root, he forgot to take his map on his way out after breakfast.” He handed him a folded paper.

”No worry Chief! Me go after group right now!” Spat hurried back inside the tunnel.

”Wait! It's dark in there, take this.” Sun tossed a glowing mushroom. Spat managed to turn around fast enough to catch it despite his large shield hanging on his back, weighing him down. ”And be sure to be fast. We don't want Mabel to get worried.”

”Yes, Sir Sun!” Spat gave a salute then ran off.

The narrow tunnel was damp and hot, with water running down its path every now and then only to disappear in the dark. The four goblins walked carefully with their arms stretched out to guide their way through the dark. However, they weren't fully blind. Tie had in her person a small glass bottle filled with glowing moss that resembles those they passed by on the way to the springs but emits a much greener light. This bottle was their lantern to light the way, but the light's reach is limited, so the scouting party must remain vigilant.

Sometimes, they climb down cliffs. Sometimes, they scale tall walls. Some of the rocks were wet and slippery, while others were dry and sharp. But this path was relatively one dimension. It lacked any extreme verticality to traverse or large spaces to rest. It was an easy path to follow so long nothing goes wrong above or below them.

Tie estimated they would arrive at the next cold springs in the afternoon and meet the rest of the tribe by evening. Root was worried they would run out of roasted frog legs before they could reunite with the tribe, but Tie assured him that they could sustain themselves with the cave's natural fauna. The moss inside her glass bottle is safe for consumption, along with mushrooms that emit a weak yellow glow. But there are also some she advised against eating. The roots and mushrooms from their previous spring and other fungi and plants that emit the same light should not be eaten. She didn't eat enough to kill her, but it did give her an upset stomach.

Root was still worried. ”What if no plant safe eat?”

”Then we go hungry and die. Heehehee,” Tie laughed.

The comeback did not help relieve Root's worries, instead made him more anxious. But eventually, the four goblins saw a bright green light coming out of the corner straight ahead of them. When they made a turn, they were met by an ocean of bright green moss growing from the ceiling of the cave to its wet rocky floor. What a blessing it was for the worried Root when they suddenly stumbled upon the edible moss on their journey. But now Tie was concerned. She doesn't remember making a turn this early on the path. She trace backed their steps and examined the wall blocked their straight path and found that the wall was made up of large, heavy rocks, loosely glued together. Some of the stones were oddly shaped and had different textures. These were all signs of a recent cave-in.

Root and Mist walked over the grassy floor. The wet, soft green carpet managed to find its way through their shoes and tickled their foot. The two ran around the grass, excited over feeling grass under sole after experiencing the harsh winter. May was far more cautious in her approach to the green vegetation.

Tie continued investigating the surrounding. The walls and ground were cold and wet, but the room was still hot. ”Hey,” Tie called out to the two dancing siblings, ”Be quiet, Tie need hear things.” Tie closed her eyes and pressed her ears on the walls. The sound of water trickling from the ceiling and on to the floor resonated on her ear.

The sound eventually grew louder as the droplets turned into a river rushing through the earth. The snow above was melting, and the earth was absorbing the water creating large aquifers above the crevice. Aquifers heavy enough to collapse the smaller tunnels. The tunnel was shifting forms once more, and they needed to leave as quickly as possible. Tie gathered her scouting party together to turn back. ”What about big tunnels?” Root asked.

”Big tunnels be fine. I think. Tie not see water make big tunnels fall so big ok.” Tie answered while reassuring herself. ”Give map. Tie want see where go.”

”Ok.” Root reached for his pocket, but the map was not there. ”Oh, no.”

”Oh no, what?”