Later that evening, Simon and I stood at the gaping mouth of the mine. I’d vowed to stay away from the place, but I needed a distraction. Jesse hadn’t been available again this evening and when I’d inquired from another nurse about Samuel, she wouldn’t give me anything beyond “We’re taking care of them, don’t worry.”
I was irritated, and had considered driving back just to check for myself, but Simon had talked sense into me.
I stood before him now, shifting nervously, and glanced into the abyss that had once been a real-life nightmare for me.
“Are you sure you are up for this, Kate?” Simon asked.
I swallowed…
Chapter 11
Four Years Before
"Are you kidding me?" Bryce exclaimed. He was shaking his head at Simon, who had, once again, refused to come explore the mine with us. "You realize you’re almost eighteen, right? Don't you think you should go ahead and get over your fear of bats?"
Simon shrugged as though he couldn’t care less. He’d never had an issue with sticking to what he did or didn’t like. And when it came to peer pressure, he always stood his own; it was the pressure from his family that he had a hard time with. "I'll get over my aversion to bats when you get over your aversion to spiders." He smiled broadly when his jibe shut Bryce up.
I didn’t care for the mine myself, but Amy liked the adventure, and I suppose I did too, once it was all over with. I did like when we’d see the bats now and then. It wasn’t like they ever moved. They were tiny and stayed wrapped around themselves, hanging from the ceiling. Still, the darkness of the mine always made me nervous.
Bryce went to the trailer to get the flashlights, and Amy left to find Parker. I couldn’t keep the glumness off my face once they were out of sight, and I peered at Simon.
His attention was on me and he closed the distance between us. "Kate, you don’t have to go."
I averted his eyes and stared straight at his chest. "I'm fine," I lied, and Simon knew it.
"Look at me, Kate." I didn't. "Please?" he whispered. I raised my eyes slowly to meet his. "You don’t have to prove yourself to them. This is one of those times you should stand your ground." Simon's words were gentle. "You can stay here with me, you know. We'll find something else to do."
He was right, of course. But even so, I didn’t know if I’d ever be able to shake the desire I had to fit in with my family. "No," I whispered. "I can't."
His eyes hardened slightly, and he turned his head, looking out at the lake before he turned back again. "Alright, but I’ll be here if you want to come back."
He was too nice to me. Even though he knew I was doing something I didn't really want to do, he understood and accepted me regardless.
"Katie, let's go!" Bryce called across camp. He still sounded irritated about Simon's decision to stay behind.
"Coming!" I yelled back to him before giving Simon a long look. "Thank you," I said, reaching out and giving his hand a squeeze. He nodded, and I ran to the 4-wheeler to meet the others.
"Jeez,” Amy said. “Every time we come here, it's always so much darker in here than I remember." She paused, still trying to catch her breath after the steep hike to the mine. We stopped with her, leaning against the cold, stone wall.
"When was the last time Mom and Dad came to the mine?" Parker asked, wiping the sweat from his face with his shirt.
"Not for years," Bryce said, shining the light into oblivion. "Mom doesn't care much for the dark."
Hmmm, Aunt Chantelle didn’t like the dark either, I noted.
"Come on, let's keep going," Bryce said, leading the way once more.
Amy linked her arm through mine, and we followed the boys deeper into the darkness.
We explored the tunnel for a while, and when we passed a few bats lurking in the corner, Amy let out a little shriek, clinging tighter to me.
I giggled at her. "Amy, they’re not even moving," I patted her arm to extend what comfort I could, even though I was nervous myself, this deep in the mine.
"I know, but just the idea that they’re there hanging above us, ready to attack our head at any second…" She cringed, and I laughed loudly this time.
"They don't attack," I corrected.
"Ugh, let's keep moving."
The tunnel was well lit with the big spotlight Bryce had brought with us. The men had used it the night before when they’d gone to look for deer, and I hoped the battery would last long enough. We’d only continued a little farther when the spotlight started to dim.
"You have got to be kidding me!" I said, trying to keep cool. "Did you guys not charge that thing when you got back?"
"It was on the charger when I got it," Bryce retorted.
Amy sighed and scooted closer to me. I gripped her arm, feeling better with having her near enough to touch.
"We’d better head back then," Parker said, turning around. The low light cast shadows across his frown as he came toward us.
Amy and I stopped to let the boys pass and lead the way back out. After a few paces, the light dimmed again, and I whimpered.
"It's fine," Bryce said. “If we just keep walking, we'll make it to the entrance.”
My stomach was already in knots. I hated the dark. Hated it. Why had I agreed to come in the first place? Oh, that's right, I had to "prove" something. I was stupid. I should’ve stayed behind with Simon. We could be swimming right now or kayaking or anything else. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. You’ll be fine, you’ll be fine, I chanted to myself…and then the light went out. Panic lodged in my throat in the form of a scream I barely kept contained, and my knees trembled weakly.
Amy let out a small shrill, knocking into me, and my arms flailed as I toppled over.
"What's going on back there? What are you two doing?" Bryce sounded nervous himself now that we were enveloped in darkness.
"I fell over," I explained in a shaky voice.
"I'm sorry, Katie," Amy whined. "Here, I’ll help you up."
I turned to the sound of her voice and was met with a finger in my eye. "Ow! Shoot!"
"Ew, what was that?" Amy’s voice was on the verge of panic.
"My eye," I bit off harshly. My nerves were getting the better of me. I threw a hand over my eyes and massaged until they no longer stung.
"Oh no, I'm sorry."
"Alright, get up already, and let's get going," Bryce complained.
I could hear the boys' footsteps heading away from us, and when I scrambled to my feet, I bumped into Amy once again. "Sorry!" I cried out.
"It's so dark!" She grabbed my hand and started to pull me forward when I felt something slide around my neck and down the front of my shirt. I went from mild panic to hysteria. My scream echoed off the stone walls, escalating, the shrill of a banshee. I pulled away from Amy and circled around and around while tugging my sweater off frantically. It dropped to the ground, and I pulled my shirt away from my body.
"Run!" Amy yelled. I had no idea where she stood, but her footsteps shuffled hurriedly away.
Something slid down my stomach, and I heard a small thud on the ground. I squirmed once more and as soon as I was sure there was nothing else on me, I ran.
I hadn’t been running long when I called out for Amy. She must be far ahead of me; I could barely hear her footsteps anymore. I continued on long enough that I was sure I should’ve seen a lightening of the dark from the opening of the tunnel. Slowing my pace, I wondered how much farther I had to go and jogged another couple of minutes until a sinking feeling came over me; I must be headed deeper into the mine. My lungs burned as I breathed faster; I was already short of breath. I turned directions and started forward, but after only three steps I bumped into the wall and fell over. Scrambling to my feet, I stretched my arm out in front of me, touching the cold, rough wall. I stumbled parallel with it as I walked along, and once again I wondered if I was headed in the right direction. I sighed and stopped walking.
Frustration took over me. How could the others not have waite
d? Why hadn't they come back for me? If it’d been one of them, I’d have insisted we search them out.
I was angry at them for abandoning me, and the predicament I was now in. I was here, in the dark mine, by myself, lost and alone. A new wave of hysteria hit, and I sat down hard, pulling my legs up and wrapped my arms around them. I buried my face in my knees, trying to hide from the cold blackness. After a few frightening minutes, my crying slowed, and I started to think of what I could do.
If I kept walking, I might just be making my way deeper into the dark oblivion. What if the others thought I’d made it out and didn’t come looking for me? Should I stay here? I remembered all the times Uncle Borys had drilled in to us that if we ever got lost, to find a spot and stay put, let the rescuers come to you.
I nodded against my legs—that’s what I’d do then. At least I had a plan for now. I’d wait for help to find me. I focused on my breathing, trying not to get swallowed up in the fear I was holding at bay, and wondered what the others were doing. Had they made it back to camp? Did they even leave me a 4-wheeler to get back with?
I focused again on my breathing again and swore to myself that if I made it out of here—no, when—when I made it out of here, I’d never come back to this horrible place.
I waited and waited.
I entered an almost meditative state, focusing solely on my breathing. The cold seeped through me, reaching to my bones, and my body trembled from shivering. I heard a shuffle and jumped a little. What was that? My panic returned in full force, and my heart went from zero to sixty in no time.
I tightened my arms around my legs, my heart pounding in my chest, my shivering now a mix of the cold and fear. A distant shuffling echo carried down the dark corridor, and terror seized me. I placed my hands over my ears to drown it out. Whatever was coming for me, I didn’t want to hear it. I wanted out, to be safe again.
Simon's face flashed through my mind, and my desire to be near him magnified. I wanted him. I wanted to see him, to be with him, to have his arms around me, making me feel safe again.
Tears fell down my cheeks as the muffled noise behind my ears grew louder. I tried to silence my crying and trembling, but it was impossible. The noise was so close I could feel its echo vibrating around me. A brightness flashed and when my eyes flew open, I was temporarily blinded. The beam moved from my face, and I blinked a few times.
Relief, so powerful, rushed through me when I saw Simon drop to his knees in front of me. "Kate!" My tears were blinding. He reached for me, pulling me onto his lap, and I threw my arms around him, burying my face in his neck, sobbing. “You’re okay. I’ve got you now,” he murmured. He enveloped me in his safe embrace and rubbed his hand slowly up and down my back until I was able to calm down. With each stroke, he might as well have been stroking my heart. He’d come for me because he cared for me too; he must.
When my breathing was normal again, something occurred to me. I turned my head to see his face. "Simon, how are you even here? You never come to the mine."
His shadowed face was full of tenderness and concern. "Are you alright?"
"I am now," I whispered.
His lips turned up and he rubbed my back again. "Me too."
I laid my head on him once more. It was strange to think that five minutes ago, I’d have paid anything to get out of there, and now I never wanted to leave my comfortable seat. Snuggled on his lap with his arms around me, I felt so safe. I breathed deeply, inhaling his scent, enjoying these few moments of pleasant solitude with him. Why did we only ever get moments? I didn’t want this to end. I wanted to be with Simon, always. I loved him; I always had. Could I ever bring myself to admit I’d never want anyone else, that he’d always held my heart? With my parents gone, he was the one person who knew me. When I needed comforting, he was who I thought about and turned to. He knew my vulnerabilities. Could I make myself the most vulnerable I’d ever be?
I turned my head to look into his eyes again and found nothing but loving adoration there. My heart started to beat harder and faster again. "Simon?" I whispered. I saw desire in him as he leaned in closer. "Simon, I—"
"Simon, did you find her?" Bryce's voice shuddered off the cave walls.
I jumped at the shout and looked at Simon again. He grimaced at the interruption, letting out a breath, and patted my back. I liked that he was so reluctant for our moment to be over, but it was just another moment, like always. I shifted and was halfway to my feet when Simon tugged my hand, pulling me back down to his lap. I gasped at the sudden movement, and he lifted a hand to my face, cradling it. Our eyes locked once more, and a slow half smile crept up on his face. Simon’s lips were so close, I could feel his breath on my lips and— A light blinded us both.
"Oh, you found her."
I drew back before our lips touched, and Simon groaned. I appreciated the sincere relief that sounded in Bryce's voice but couldn’t have been more irritated with him. From the look on Simon's face, neither could he.
Later that evening, I dressed for bed and went to brush my teeth. I glanced at myself in the mirror and did a double take.
No! No, no, no, no!
I placed my hand below my neck, where my necklace always was, but it was gone. I looked around the bathroom but it wasn't there; I retraced my steps back to the room, shaking out the clothes I’d worn that day, but there was no necklace. I hurried to Aunt Chantelle, who was sitting up in her bed reading. She looked up when I came in.
"Have you seen my locket anywhere?" I said quickly.
"No, I haven't seen it, honey." Her eyes tightened with concern, as she knew how much that locket meant to me.
I fought the panic, as if I hadn't had enough of that today, and found everyone else gathered around the fire. I noticed Simon stand when he saw the unsettled look on my face. I also tried not to notice the disapproving look his mother gave him when he did.
"Amy, have you seen my locket?" I said, a little breathless.
Amy bit her lip, her eyes tightening in thought. "No, I haven't seen it anywhere."
"Has anyone else seen it?" I asked desperately.
Mrs. Curtis tightened her lips as though she had no intention of speaking to me. I ignored the rude woman, looking at every face as each one muttered a sad "No, I haven't."
I was exhausted and unable to hold back the tears burning my tired eyes. I turned toward the trailer and wrapped my arms around myself against the chill the evening had brought with it. I suddenly stopped in my tracks as my heart sank further into my stomach—my sweater, the one I’d received from Simon on my birthday! I’d shaken out of it in the mine when I’d felt... With a light intake of breath, I touched my neck again. The mine! I’d felt something slide around my neck and down my shirt. I’d even heard the thud when it had hit the ground, but I hadn’t realized, in my panicked state, that it’d been my locket. And what about my sweater that meant so much to me?
My chin quivered, and I rubbed my face. Someone came up behind me, and their arms were suddenly around me. I knew who it was; he was always there when I needed someone.
Simon pulled me back against him. “Shhh,” he said in my ear, and a shiver ran through me, despite the state I was in. "It’ll be alright, Kate. We'll find it."
I shook my head and sniffed. "It's in the mine," I told him in a shaky voice. "I’ll never find it now." Simon hugged me closer. "It wasn’t just the necklace.” I sniffed. “The sweater you gave me is in there. I’m so sorry, but I lost it. I hate this day!" I whispered, holding on to his arms.
I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to erase everything from the day except the memory of Simon holding me. Still leaning against him, I tipped my head back on his shoulder and felt his breathing close.
“I’m sorry, Kate. I’ll buy you another sweater.” He kissed my ear, and his nose skimmed slowly down the side of my jaw and back up again.
"Simon!" Mrs. Curtis hissed from somewhere behind us. "Come on, we’re all turning in for the night."
Simon let out a long breath. His
arms tightened around me once more, and I felt his soft lips press a kiss on my cheek. "I'll see you in the morning, Kate," he whispered against my ear.
That was the last time Simon spoke to me, the last time he held me, the last time he called me Kate.
Chapter 12
Simon glanced at my shifting feet where we lingered outside the mine. He stepped closer with a patient smile and touched my chin to keep my gaze. “I brought you here because there’s something I think you’ll really enjoy when we get there.”
I cocked a single skeptic brow, although he’d piqued my curiosity. I stared at him for a moment as I remembered the last time I’d been here with him, and the kiss we’d almost shared.
After our moment earlier on the hike, things had been a little awkward between us, but as the day had gone on, I found myself comfortable once again…until now. My emotions seemed to be as scattered as my thoughts. One minute I was thrilled Simon was here, then I’d grow suspicious, and it rounded back to my unanswered questions, which left me feeling resentment once again. It wouldn’t be long, though, before I had answers. I’d agreed to come to the mine because I knew we’d be alone, and I didn’t want to be interrupted when I finally opened up and asked the questions that had kept me wondering all these years.
Simon looked toward the black hole and back. “Are you ready?”
I took a breath to summon a little courage and nodded. “I’m not as afraid as I thought I’d be.” At least, not of the mine.
“Good,” he said as he dug into his pockets. “Here, keep this on you.” He draped a cord around my neck, weighed down with a small flashlight. After placing one around his own neck, he clicked it on and held his hand out to me. I stared at his offering for only a moment. While I could easily get distracted by him physically, I wasn’t going to risk getting lost in this place. I took his hand, and Simon pulled me into the darkness.
Everything for You (Unforgettable) Page 10