A Deep Thing

by A. K. Smith

  Scout shook his head. “I don’t really know much other than the basic legend. Back in the heyday of the Mayan civilization, they lived near the cenotes and they were the guardians of the sacred water.”

  Ryder had his iPhone out and grumbled, “Shit, I wish we had Internet, I would look all this stuff up.” Brightening, he asked, “Maybe this is what Dad was trying to tell me?”

  Kendall smiled, “What, that you are a descendent from an ancient civilization? Who knows, maybe you’re right. Maybe that’s the purpose of the trip, something he discovered a long time ago and he wanted to share it with you on your birthday. I certainly didn’t know your father’s secrets.” Kendall glanced at Scout. “What do you think, Scout? Do you think Tim and Ryder could be from a long line of Mayan descent?”

  Scout gave a half shrug and cocked his head. “I suppose anything is possible.”

  ****

  In the privacy of her tent, Kendall unzipped a pocket in her backpack and unfolded a worn square of paper. Tim’s kind eyes and warm smile met her gaze. She carried this photo for the last two years, opening it in private when she needed a fix, like a junkie with its drug. What were you hiding from me? Why? Didn’t you trust me? She wanted answers. She needed the truth. Folding it back up into a square, she returned it to her pack, the back of her hand wiping the moisture from her cheek.

  A cheesy aroma greeted her as she stepped out of the tent…dinner, freeze-dried macaroni and cheese. Scout stood up displaying two small bottles of champagne up in the air. He cleared his throat. “I breathe easier, now that I took you to the cenote your father wanted you to see, so I thought it would be worth having a toast and celebrating. Here’s to discovering the right cenote.” Scout unscrewed the lids, the bubbly liquid poured into each of their metal camping cups.

  “And, Ryder, here’s to your birthday present from your father, a remarkable adventure, and to getting to know both of you.” Scout shot a quick glance at Kendall, then his eyes returned to the crowd.

  Roberto added “Feliz Cumpleaños.” Enrique mumbled the greeting and stared at Ryder.

  After dinner, Ryder spread the cenote map out on the tarp. On his knees he hunched over, analyzing the drawing. He leaned closer and grumbled, “I wish you hadn’t left the computer on the boat. I really would like to see the pictures of the old man’s mark.”

  The birthmark. The symbol on the cave wall. Flashes of both consumed her mind the entire night during dinner. She wished she had the computer too, and could study the pictures of the old man. Her body ached from the intense physical activity of the day, but her mind ran on full speed, full of questions.

  “Sorry Ryder, I wish we had the laptop, but I can’t imagine carrying anything else, with all the gear we brought in. We will look at it first thing on the boat.”

  Ryder never took his eyes off the map. “According to this, it looks like there is another underground tunnel in that birthmark room, and if I’m reading this right, it opens up into an even bigger chamber.”

  Scout walked over and kneeled down next to Ryder.

  “Birthmark Room, well that’s a good name for it,” Scout smiled and pointed to the map. “Now this map makes more sense, I didn’t realize these lines were passageways and tunnels, but you’re right, Ryder, this is where we came in…this is the second room and this is the third room. How about we name it, in your honor, the Birthmark Room. We just need to make sure we have enough air to go the whole way to here.” He pointed to the area that so intrigued Ryder, a fourth room.

  “We will,” Ryder said. “We’ll take the extra tanks and take breaks in the Birthmark Room for air. I know I can make it.” He was transfixed on the map.

  “Well, there certainly is a lot to explore tomorrow,” said Kendall. “Let’s say we all get some sleep and wake up at first light.”

  Eyes glued to the map, Ryder replied, “Go ahead, Kendall, I’m not ready for bed yet.”

  Shrugging her shoulders, she met Scout’s gaze. Being in the water all day was taking its toll. “Good night, Scout.” She knew he wanted to talk more, spend some alone time, but instead of giving in, she waved and unzipped her tent. Restless, her mind navigating dozens of theories, she heard Ryder enter the tent and listened to his steady breathing. Her life wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. The love of her life wasn’t supposed to be a liar. Do I really want to know the truth? She knew the answer. When sleep finally greeted her, she dreamt of cenotes, vibrant, clear blue water surrounding her, and blue eyes staring at hers, everything blue, blue, blue.

  Chapter 58

  Kendall woke up to a melody of chattering, whistles, and chirping outside the tent. The jungle was waking up with her, the birds on high volume, happily singing bubbly, cheerful jungle tunes, as if the birds were laughing.

  Ryder’s sleeping bag was empty. Her eyes adjusted to the light, and like a dimmer switch, the brightness slowly increased. She looked down at her Polar Loop exercise band, which tracked how many steps and swimming strokes she did during the day. It was 5:25 a.m.

  Clang, Clang. Unzipping the tent, she stuck her head out. Ryder, ear buds in and humming, flipped burritos on the grill pan and stirred the coffeepot. In the early morning light he looked beautiful. The muscles in his face relaxed and the corners of his mouth turned up. This day was definitely going to be different, Ryder had never cooked for the camp or risen this early.

  “Well, good morning, Ryder. I see you’re up early. It smells great.” His back to her she could see tortillas, beans, cheese, and powdered eggs, she touched his shoulder. He turned, took the ear buds out, and she repeated herself.

  “Yeah, I wanted to get a good meal in us and then I want to get going. Roberto is going to pack us a lunch.”

  “Are the guys up?”.

  “They’re checking the outside of the perimeter, but they’re pretty much ready to go.” Ryder’s startling blue eyes shimmered with anticipation.

  “You’re really excited about this? It’s good to see you so thrilled about something…your dad would be happy.”

  “I feel something here, a connection.” He paused and looked away. “There’s something down there. I know. There’s something here, Dad wanted me to see. Maybe it was the marking on the cave, but whatever it is, I want to find it.”

  Scout, Roberto, and Enrique walked up to the fire. “Enrique’s going to come with us today and Roberto is going to stay around the camp. There were no signs last night of anybody tracking us or watching us, so maybe whoever it was left.” Scout poured himself a cup of coffee.

  Roberto and Enrique exchanged conversation in Spanish. Scout translated, “Roberto thinks it could be local hunters who have moved on, but Enrique thinks they’re still nearby.”

  “Well, they haven’t tried to do us any harm, so I don’t think it’s someone who followed us from Conrad Nathaniel’s group or even the government. I think it has to be some local hunters.” She finally said out loud what she had been thinking for the last few days.

  No one responded to her statement.

  “Breakfast is ready,” Ryder announced in a cheerful voice as if he were playing a role for the cameras; he handed out plates.

  Scout chuckled. “Looks like someone’s excited to start the day.”

  ****

  On the morning hike, time flew like the howler monkeys swinging across the treetops and before Kendall could sort out her thoughts, they were at the dark gaping mouth of the river. Scout swam gracefully through the entrance, his muscular build gliding, leading the way. Swimming in the cool clear water, climbing and pushing through rocks and narrow passageways, the trek through the cave seemed much easier this time around. In less than forty minutes, they were at the starting chamber.

  “My underwater camera’s gone,” Ryder announced as the pinpoints of light from above illuminated the limestone ledge and Enrique was lifting the second orange tank down from the hole above.

  Ryder kneeling on the dry platform, counted and lifted each supply item going left in the pack from
yesterday. He set up a work light, casting a strange glow on the inside cave wall, highlighting the unique rock formations and massive decorations above.

  Scout helped transport the tanks down from the top and rubbed his forehead. “Ryder, are you sure you left it here?”

  “I’m positive.” Ryder placed all the items left in the pack yesterday in a line on the ledge. “I know I left the camera here. When I was in the Birthmark Room, I was kicking myself for forgetting it on this ledge. I wanted to make sure I had it today to take a picture of the symbol on the wall. I’m one hundred percent positive I left it here yesterday.”

  Scout hesitated and shot a glance at Kendall. “I don’t know, Ryder, there’s no sign of anybody being here or coming through the wet cave. Is anything else missing?”

  Ryder sighed then stood on the platform. “No, just my camera. I know I left it here and I put it in the dry pack.”

  Scout moved over to the platform and picked up each item: three small cans of fruit cocktail, granola bars and dried fruit all unopened, a knife, diving equipment, logbooks, and the first aid kit. “Well, that’s strange, because nothing else is touched; I bet you find it back at camp.”

  “Or maybe we knocked it into the water.” Kendall said. “Ryder, I have a small waterproof disposable camera and you’re welcome to use it.”

  He stared at both of them as if they were crazy. “I’m telling you, my camera was here yesterday with the rest of the stuff and now it’s gone. Somebody was here.”

  Scout finished the rest of the equipment checks, laying out the first aid kit and bottles of water for their return.

  “Well, maybe some animal was up on the ledge and knocked it over and we will find it down below in the cenote.” Scout tried to lighten the mood. “Maybe they will take some good pictures.”

  Ryder did not laugh, but grabbed the disposable camera Kendall offered, with an outstretched hand, without a thank you. The old Ryder was back.

  ****

  The guide line Scout secured into place yesterday eased Kendall’s anxiety and concerns about air supply. This trip they were pulling three extra tanks behind them. The steep downward banks and the tight restriction of getting to the first room seemed a little more congested, but the backup air supply was necessary to get to the third room, and allow exploration of the fourth room Ryder had discovered on the map. They needed additional air to get back.

  The staggering beauty of the cenote was even more glorious the second time around. Today the decorations appeared more dazzling, in splendid statuette poses with the light shining upon the massive formation, the water crystal clear. A site so beautiful it seemed heavenly, not of this world. It made her think of Tim.

  Once again, they snaked through the Swiss cheese formations and squeezed through the triangular hole in the curved narrow rock to get to the third room, the most astonishing of them all. They broke surface, heads back and chins in the air, marveling again at the stunning height of the room and shining their lights on the smaller caves up above and the tunnels on a higher level. Removing her mask the sound of her breath filled the silence. “It is truly spectacular.” She turned around in all directions. “It reminds me of this place in Arizona, Montezuma’s Castle, where the cliff dwellers built their homes way up high in little caves with different levels. It almost looks like that over there, like a few stories of a cave house.” She pointed to the further wall to the right.

  Ryder hoisted himself up on the ledge and removed his equipment.

  “Are you getting out now?” Scout asked as he held onto the ledge. “If you want to see the fourth room, maybe we should go now and come back here to rest afterwards.”

  Ryder’s back against the wall of the cave, he held a rope in his hands studying the upper tunnel. “I want to see what the white reflection is, and then I can come back and check out more later.”

  Scout was out of the water in an instant taking off his equipment. “Well, you can’t do it by yourself, Ryder, let me give you some help.” But before Scout finished, Ryder was securing clips and rappelling up the wall.

  “Please be careful.” Her words echoed back as she watched Ryder lift himself into the small passageway and disappear.

  She took in a sharp breath. “Ryder? Ryder?”

  Silence.

  “It’s pottery, it looks like a vase and has writing on it.” Ryder emerged holding several pieces of jagged clay in his hand. “The cave goes back about fifteen feet and then it’s blocked. I’m not sure if it’s blocked naturally or intentionally, it looks intentional to me.” Ryder disappeared and came back out to the ledge holding the camera in his hand. “There are symbols all over this wall, some kind of pictograms.”

  Scout was on his way up, and Kendall hoisted herself to the ledge.

  With her head tilted back, she asked, “Did you take a picture of the writing on the wall?” She was shining her light as far as the beam could go up to the hundred-foot ceiling.

  Scout yelled, “Do you want to come up and see this?”

  “Later, when we come back this way. Then I’ll take all my equipment off and explore a little…but if we are going to go to the fourth room, I’ll wait until we come back through.”

  Scout descended, dropped to the ledge. “You’re right, we should keep going to the fourth room, and then come back and take a rest before we go back through.”

  He handed her a piece of the pottery. She held it in her fingers, turning it over and looking at each side. A small imprinted stamp of what appeared to be a monkey, marked the clay. Jaggedly broken, she could make out part of a Mayan symbol. She lifted it to her nose and smelled it.

  Scout laughed. “Are you smelling it?”

  “I am smelling it, it smells old. It’s amazing to hold something ancient in your hand. An object from a time gone by. I wonder how long it’s been here, what’s the story behind it, and why is it broken?”

  Scout pulled out several more pieces and laid them on the platform. “Sounds like your inner Indiana Jones talking.”

  She smiled, trying to fit the pieces together like a puzzle. Ryder came down and added three more pieces.

  “It’s a type of vase, a jug with symbols on it.” She guessed.

  “It’s hieroglyphics, the Mayan writing is using a set of glyphs.” Scout added another section to the jug.

  As the last fragment was put in place, the jug was almost complete. She gasped. “They are the same glyphs you tried to draw for us.”

  “Hunkul Yax,” Scout said aloud “Forever young.”

  Kendall felt more confused, as she listened to the water dripping off their equipment.

  Ryder traced the symbols with his fingers. “And what was the legend again?”

  Scout cleared his throat, picked up a dry bag and carefully put the pieces into it. “The legend is this particular tribe of the Maya were called forever young because they lived exceedingly long lives. There are documented cases of skeletons with a carbon-dated age of up to two hundred years old.”

  Ryder put his hands in the air to emphasize his statement. “That’s it! Don’t you see, that’s what my dad was trying to show me. He found proof these people existed…The pictures of the old man, he found it…he found what they were looking for…whatever made this tribe live long—he found it.”

  Ryder scanned the cave in every direction. “It’s in here somewhere, whatever it is it’s in here. I just know it. I have never been so sure of anything in my life.”

  Kendall spoke almost in a whisper. “Maybe it has something to do with the bats.” She pointed up to the ceiling. “There’s thousands of them.”

  Ryder and Scout both tilted their heads back, staring at the black mass on the ceiling. Scout spoke first. “Well, there must be a way out through one of those tunnels up there, or there couldn’t be bats, they need a way to escape.” He paused. “But before we get too intrigued by the tunnels, we need to make a decision if we want to go explore the fourth cave, we need to start now. If we have time, we can come back and s
pend a while in here before we have to leave. Fourth cave?”

  “Okay,” Ryder said, “maybe we can stay another day and come back just to see if we can locate the tunnel that leads out, maybe we can find it, find what my father discovered.” The glint of light illuminated his eyes.

  Scout gathered his gear. “Okay, Indiana Junior, let’s do one thing at a time. Let’s go check out this fourth room, you wanted to see.” As they all reentered the water, Scout turned to Ryder before putting his mask on. “Your adventure, you’re first. Set the guideline.”

  ****

  Kendall followed Ryder with Scout in the back. She concentrated on the rhythm of her breath in her ears and the solitude and peacefulness of the underworld returned. After ten minutes, Ryder abruptly stopped and motioned stay. He squeezed through a small circular opening with rock cropping jutting down.

  She waited with Scout, their lights illuminating the opening. She had no idea of the time, but unable to converse and staying in one place, Kendall was sure minutes had passed. She motioned to Scout forming an Okay sign with her fingers, her breath increasing. Scout motioned to wait, glancing at his watch.

  The air bubbles appeared first followed by Ryder who motioned for them to follow. He led them through a small tunnel that opened to a large tunnel. Six people could easily fit side by side across the cave, it was the narrowing in the far distance that alarmed her. It tapered in like a funnel and before Ryder tried to go through the skinniest section, the three of them stopped. Scout wrote on his wipe-off board, “BC off.” This meant they needed to take their tanks off and lead with them in front. Scout motioned he wanted to go first, but Ryder pointed to his own chest, shaking him off, affirming he was going to lead the way.

  The tunnel was narrow, with rocks coming out of the sides adding to the claustrophobic atmosphere and difficulty of the journey. It was like blood going through a clogged artery, easy to pass through on the smooth parts, hard to get through where there was plaque built up.

  Ryder was going as fast as he could, conserving air in their tanks. Kendall prayed, the map had to be right and the narrow tunnel would open up into a large chamber. There could be no other train of thought. Because if the small, winding limestone tunnel just continued to get narrower, there would be no place for any turn-around; no one could pass the other or head back in the other direction. Swimming backwards with tanks in front would be impossible. They were three sardines swimming upstream in a compressed narrow passage, slowly moving single file, hoping there was a way out.