Just Behind the Waterfall: You'll Never Know Until You Look

Prologue

Aragwath, Queen of Shadow, felt it the moment they entered Palanos. A slight shift, a spark of light in the darkness of her mind. It had been so long since she had felt their presence that she could not be sure, but still she allowed herself to hope.

Rustling leaves pulled her attention from her quarry to someone approaching her prison. She turned—as much as her prison would allow—to find a cloaked figure kneeling before her. She gave a slight nod, and the figure rose.

You’ve come as last.

Yes, my Queen, came a velvety smooth voice from within the folds of the cloak.

Speak, the Queen said, her voice reverberating through the crystal that held her captive.

Your Majesty, news has reached my ears that two strange creatures entered Palanos just this morning. They say— she paused. My Queen, the report is that they are humans.

The Queen’s face contorted in an evil grin. The confirmation of her hopes sent a trill through her. This is excellent news indeed. The time has come to set our plan in motion. Our victory is at hand. She paused for a moment savoring the idea. You must wait for the opportune moment. Use their weaknesses against them. One of them must be convinced to undo the magic that binds me here.

Forgive me, My Queen, but would it not be easier to simply take what is required of them?

What we need cannot be taken. It must be freely given or it will not work. No, they must trust us. That is where you come in, my pet. Play your part well. Our success rides on your shoulders.

Very capable shoulders, My Lord. You have nothing to worry about.

We shall see. Now go. Stay to the shadows. The Elendir must not know you are there.

The figure bowed. It will be done.

Chapter 1

Wind whispered through the trees, drying the sweat that beaded on Jamie’s neck and ruffling her brown curls. She lifted her head and peered over the tangle of roots that hid her. The dull roar of the waterfall filled the air, making it difficult to hear. Still, she strained her ears for the sound of someone approaching. Nothing. She shifted, trying to get away from a rock that dug into her hip.

The wind brushed by her again, carrying with it the sound of feet crunching on rocks. She smiled. He was here. She pulled herself into a crouch, her muscles coiling beneath her, ready for the pounce. Just then a young boy, perhaps no older than fifteen stepped into her view. His unruly, blond hair partially hid his face, but Jamie knew the face well.

Just then, she sprung from her hiding place and hurled herself at him. Alarmed, he cried out as she wrapped her arms around his midsection like a vise. Her momentum carried them both over the edge of the six-foot bluff. For a terrible moment, nothing held them but air. Then cool water engulfed them.

Jamie surfaced amid a cacophony of sputters and coughs. The blond haired boy came up beside her, his emerald eyes quickly finding hers and narrowing in mock annoyance.

Jamie smiled. Hello, Elliott.

I’m so going to drowned you. He smiled mischievously.

Jamie dove beneath the concealing waves just as he lunged for her. Her body spiraled and looped, only barely escaping Elliott’s searching grasp. Finally, she surfaced with him right behind her. Giggling, she made for the waterfall. Quickly pulling herself up on the moss covered rocks, she looked back to find Elliott rapidly scrambling up after her. She glanced around hurriedly, searching for an escape route. Then, her eyes narrowed, focusing on the slender ledge just behind the cascade of falling water. Bingo.

Catch me if you can! she called back to Elliott and scurried onto the ledge. Leaning heavily on the rock face for support, she inched her way out onto the almost thirty feet of slick rock separating her from the other side.

About a quarter of the way across, she came to a spot where the ledge had fallen away which left a four-foot gap. Elliott was just a hairsbreadth behind her. She hastily decided it was not too far to step across. Keeping her right foot firmly planted, she stepped for the other side, but the rock was far slicker than she had imagined. Her foot slipped right of the edge, throwing her off balance. She fell forward toward the rock face, and squeezed her eyes shut in anticipation of her face smashing into the rock. But instead of hard stone, she felt a slight shiver in the air. And then she was falling again. Instinctively, she put her hands out in front of her just in time to keep her face from hitting the floor. However, the rest of her body didn’t fare so well. There were definitely going to be bruises. Groaning, she opened her eyes and sat up.

She found herself in a dark, cave-like corridor. The silence inside was almost tangible, as if the very walls watched her. A few stalactites hung here and there as though this had once been a natural cave. Beneath her fingers, the cool stone was smooth and unmarked. It was obvious this cave had been modified for some purpose, but cracks in the walls and floor, accompanied by a thick layer of dust, were a testament to its disuse. Some sort of luminescent moss grew in patches along the walls and ceiling, casting an eerie, green glow on the scene.

Jamie furrowed her brow, thinking back. She had not seen a cave from the outside. In fact, she was sure there had never been a cave here. Yet, here she stood. Perplexed, she turned to face the opening. It was about fifteen feet across and seven feet high. But there was no rock face as she had seen from the outside. An illusion? Or maybe a hologram or a wormhole like on the sci-fi movies that Elliott liked.

It dawned on her then that the false wall wasn’t the strangest part of what she now saw. Elliott’s hand was just coming into view, but it hovered in place, unmoving. Water, that only seconds ago had been rushing down to the river below, now hung motionless in mid-air. Everything on the other side of the wall was frozen in place.

The realization of what she might have stumbled upon made her heart race. She knew she must tell Elliott. Moving past the hole in the ledge to a safer spot, she stepped back out into the open.

Instantly, time moved forward again. The sudden roaring of the waterfall assaulted Jamie’s ears, momentarily deafening her. Across the gap, Elliott stared back at her, his head tilted to the side, eyebrows lifted in question.

You? I thought I just? How are you over there? You were just right here in front of me. I was watching the whole time, he called over the noise of the water.

I’ll explain in a second. Do you think you can make it over here? He nodded. Okay, but be careful; it’s really slick.

He quickly made his way to the edge, and in one swift movement, he bridged the gap. Okay, explanation time, he said once he reached her side.

You’re not going to believe me. She smiled.

Try me. He smirked.

What if I told you that the rock in front of you wasn’t real? That there was a cave on the other side. Oh, and while you are in said cave, everything on this side is frozen in time?

He pursed his lips, and drew in a deep breath through his nose. I would say, ‘Jamie, if you are doing drugs, you should tell me.’

She scowled. I’m being serious!

So am I. Are you listening to yourself? You sound crazy!

Let me prove it to you, she said grabbing his hand. She quickly thrust it in the direction of the rock. He gasped as their entwined hands slipped right through. He jerk his hand back so quickly, he nearly lost his balance. He turned to Jamie, his eyes wide.

Did you see that?

See! I told you! Let’s check it out!

What? No. Jamie, we can’t go in there.

Why not? I mean, it’s not like anyone’s going to know we’re gone.

For that reason exactly. If what you say is right, then what if we get hurt? No one is going to come looking for us because time stops out here. Besides, you don’t know what might be in there. It could be anything. Aliens, trolls, flesh eating insects, the boogie man!

You’re being ridiculous. She narrowed her eyes at him. Those things don’t exist.

Yeah, neither do disappearing, time freezing caves.

Touché. But Elliott, we can’t pass this up. Besides, it’s obvious the cave hasn’t been used in ages. The chances of us running into anything are slim to none.

He shifted his feet, and chewed the inside of his cheek. Come on Elliott. Just for a few minutes?

Why do I always let you talk me into these things? He asked with a lopsided grin.

Is that a yes?

Just a few minutes. I mean it. Then we’re out of there.

Jamie let out a joyful squeal and wrapped Elliott in vise-like hug. Can’t breathe!

Right, she said, letting him go. Sorry.

Taking his hand in hers, she pulled him into the cave with her.

Chapter 2

Elliott looked around, his mouth hanging open. When he looked toward the waterfall, it stood stock still, just as Jamie had said. He turned to find Jamie smirking at him, as if to say told you so .

Just then a breath of wind rushed through the cave. Did you feel that, Elliott?

Feel what, the breeze? Yeah. Why?

Where’s it coming from? She smiled.

His eyes widened. From the inside? Weird.

Right. That means there must be another way out. It can’t be far. Let’s go check it out.

Elliott glanced back toward the waterfall, his lips pursed.

What’s the matter, Elliott?

I don’t know about this Jamie. I have a bad feeling. We should probably go back. We don’t really know what we’re getting into. Besides, how are you going to see?

She pointed upward to the glowing green moss.

Still, it’s not a lot of light. It could be really dangerous. There could be a hundred foot drop around the next corner.

Well, I intend to find out. You can wait outside if you want, but I’m going in. I’ll be back in no time, she said, laughing at her accidental pun, and then added more seriously, I’ll be careful. I promise.

He reached out and caught her hand. Jamie, please. I just don’t think it’s safe.

I’ll be fine. Really. I just want to look around a little. I’ll only be a minute. She smiled, pulled her hand from his grasp, and disappeared into the gloom.

Elliott paced for a few excruciating seconds. Finally, he could take it no longer. Ok. Fine. I’m coming, he called, running after her. But just because I don’t want you to get hurt and have no one there to help you.

I knew you’d come. She said when he caught up to her. He smiled and shook his head.

They walked in silence for a while, their eyes scanning for anything else strange. The moss grew more abundantly as they moved further into the cave, providing plenty of light by which to see.

After about fifteen minutes of walking, Jamie thought that she may have been wrong about another way out. But just as she was about to give up, they turned a corner to find a faint light up ahead.

Elliott! Look! That’s got to be the way out! Race you!

Before he could protest, she took off running, leaving him to catch up. They ran as fast as their legs could carry them toward the ever-increasing light. They ran as if the darkness itself chased them and drove them toward the light. They could see an opening in the cave, and clean, pure light spilling in. Elliott was the first to arrive at the opening. He slid to a halt and stood gaping at what he saw.

What is it Elliott? Jamie asked, catching up to him. But he didn’t have to say anything. For where they had expected to find a way out, they actually found a massive cavern. It was about two miles wide and stretched as far as they could see. Filling the entire expanse, save a round indention near the middle of the visible landscape was a forest. From his view point, it looked to be very dense, and thick with vines. Elliott looked down to find a jumble of boulders and rocky outcrops standing between him and the cavern floor, at least thirty feet down. He shuddered as he imagined falling from this height. Turning his gaze upward, he spotted the reason it was so bright here. He elbowed Jamie, and pointed upward. High above their heads, growing on the roof of the cavern, was an enormous luminescent plant. It looked to be some sort of massive fern. It glowed far brighter than the moss that they had encountered so far. The light radiated from it intensely, and they soon looked away for fear of damaging their eyes.

That is officially awesome! Elliott said, his mouth gaping in awe.

I have to agree, my friend. Jamie said, slapping him on the back. And to think you didn’t even want to come. Let’s go check it out.

So, how do we get down? Elliott asked.

Well, we can climb down to that ledge easily enough, Jamie said, pointing out a flat spot about fifteen feet down, And it looks like those vines might be big enough to climb down the rest of the way.

Ok. Sounds good. I’m going first to make sure it’s safe.

But-

No buts.

She glared at him. Fine.

On the way down, he found plenty of handholds, and made it with little difficulty. In all, it took him only fifteen minutes to reach the bottom. Alright. Your turn, but be careful, he called up to Jamie.

Finally. Ready or not here I come! About half way down to the ledge, she lost her footing and fell the rest of the way to the flat spot, landing on the ledge with a loud thud.

Jamie! Are you ok? Elliott yelled frantically.

No answer.

Jamie?

That was awesome! came Jamie’s voice over the ledge, followed shortly by her face. You should try it sometime. What a rush!

That’s not funny! he said. You could have been seriously hurt! This is too dangerous. I don’t know what I was thinking. We should go back.

What? No way! The dangerous part is over. I’m coming down. She grabbed a vine and started the last leg of her descent.

Elliott shook his head at her stubborn ways, and watched helplessly as she clamored down the last few feet. Soon she was safely on the ground.

See, she said. Safe and sound. Come on. Let’s go.

Home? Elliott displayed a hopeful smile.

No, silly. Into the woods.

I was afraid you were going to say that. There’s just no telling you is there?

Nope.

Just then something passed overhead blocking out most of the light. The two friends looked up simultaneously, and Elliott dreaded what he might see. In no way could he have been prepared for what now filled his vision.

A creature