Alliance

by Andrew Stride

  I’m itching to get to the caves and after an hour in the cafe, I return to the beach. The tide is out, so it’s perfect and with the torch in my hand, I enter the cave. I know roughly how deep I went the time before and I reach that point in a matter of minutes. The cave bends to the left and now I can see light from another opening. I go deeper, watching my step and I find myself occasionally looking back over my shoulder towards the exit and it’s reassuring that I can still see daylight bouncing off the cave walls. The deeper I go, the broader the cave becomes and I come to an almost circular chamber and now I’m relying on my torch alone. Something in the water catches my eye, a light, but I can’t be sure that I haven’t imagined it. Maybe it had been the torch beam and I feel a little spooked. I see another light and this time I know it isn’t my imagination and the chamber echoes with a beautiful sound. I’m not sure I’d call it singing exactly, but I know it has nothing to do with the wind. My torch beam plays across the water and my heart starts pounding as the light in the water interacts with it. The light is electric blue and it pulses like a heartbeat and draws me in. It’s hypnotic. Suddenly, the light darts away and I have difficulty following it and it stops on the other side of the chamber. I feel it wants me to follow and I work my way around the chamber and I can’t believe it, the rocky shelf I’ve been clinging to, runs out. The beam of my torch is pretty good and I can see that the cave continues beyond the chamber. There’s nothing else for it, I’m going to need a boat.

  I leave the cave amazed by what I’ve seen and at the same time a little frustrated. I try calling Frank on the mobile, but there’s no signal, so I wait until I’m in town and make the call. I get cut off, but I know Frank’s on his way and I’m soon back at the house. I haven’t let onto Frank about my discoveries, so I’m now wondering how to approach him about a boat. I think Frank is beginning to suspect I’m hiding something from him, but he doesn’t pry. Instead, sensing my frustration, he asks if I want to go fishing with him tomorrow. Hilly’s not sure it’s a good idea. It turns out that tomorrow is Hilly’s day out and she goes into town to have her hair done and meet up with a few of her friends. On these days, Frank goes fishing and wait for it, he has his own boat. Bingo. I never thought I’d get so excited about going fishing.

  Day fourteen

  We’re up early and I help Hilly prepare breakfast, while Frank sorts out his fishing gear and digs out his old rod for me to use. By the time Frank has kitted me out, I pretty much look like a carbon copy of him, waterproofs, hat, and a rod. To look at me you’d think I was a bloke. The three of us head into town and Hilly is still trying to talk me out of going. She thinks I should go to the salon with her and then join her and her friends for lunch. Suddenly, fishing is even more appealing and we drop Hilly off and Frank takes us to the car park near the beach. I’ve not been down to this part of the beach before and there are lots of boats here. We walk a little way along the shingle beach and reach a blue tarpaulin and Frank’s boat is keeping dry underneath. I help him push the boat down to the water; it’s a perfect size for the sea cave, with a little outboard engine. It also has oars in case the engine packs up, which has only happened a couple of times, Frank assures me. Frank lets me get in and pushes the boat with me in it, into deeper water and then jumps in himself. He uses the oars to begin with and then lowers the propeller into the water. I can see him fiddling with the engine, only I can’t really see what it is he’s doing and then he grabs hold of a handle and pulls vigorously. Nothing happens. Frank fiddles a bit more and tries again and this time the engine coughs blue smoke and fires up. It’s still spluttering and Frank adjusts something and it’s running pretty smooth and we’re off. Frank has a few favourite fishing spots and we head to one of these and he starts talking to me about the fish he’s caught in the past and his preferred bait. Today we’re using lugworms and they look pretty disgusting. Frank baits my hook and we’re soon fishing. I get the first bite, but the fish just takes my worm. We’re out there for a good few hours and between us, we manage to catch two Bass, both on my line; however, I wouldn’t have landed them without Frank. We head in and get a good view of the lighthouse. Frank points to the left of the lighthouse and tells me there’s another, which is much older and nothing more than a ruin today. He’s going to drive by it on the way home for me to see. After hauling Frank’s boat up the beach, we head into town and meet up with Hilly and Frank treats me to a hot chocolate, yummy.

  I spend a lot of the evening wondering how I’m going to ask Frank if I can borrow his boat.

  For the next two days, Miar learns as much as possible about the engine on Frank’s boat and the other places that are good for fishing and then she finally asks him if she can take the boat out on her own. At first Frank is reluctant, but Miar manages to talk him round and there is a compromise, Frank wants to see how she handles the boat first, so another day of fishing is planned.

  Day seventeen.

  On her first attempt at starting the engine, she manages to flood it and the smell of petrol fumes hang heavy in the air. Miar realises that the engine is a bit like Frank, it needs to be approached the right way and on her third attempt it kicks out a blue cloud of smoke and bursts into life. Miar realises that launching the boat and getting it back up the beach is going to be near impossible on her own. Frank knows this too and his only solution is that he will come down and launch it with her and then when she comes back, she just needs to call him. Miar knows that Frank is curious about her sudden interest in his boat, but he still hasn’t asked her why she really needs it and Miar doesn’t want to tell him.

  Day eighteen.

  I’m on my own and Frank waves me off from the beach. I have all I need, more than I need, since I’m not actually going fishing. The sea is a little choppy today and I worry about entering the cave, but I’ve waited days to get back in there and I’m not turning back now. I’m still approaching and I’ve put the torch on ready as I’m going to have my hands full just getting the boat into the cave. The waves are kicking the boat about a bit and I’m doing all I can to keep it straight. The final approach goes better than expected and I cruise into the dark opening. The engine makes a real din in such a confined space, but I grin and bear it and make it to the circular chamber. The boat is making such a racket that I wonder if I’ll see anything today because of it. I proceed into the passage beyond and I’m now in new territory. I ease back on the power and with my torch, I can see I’m coming to another chamber and soon realise that this is as far as I can go. I’m not sure what to do, because I was expecting more and I’m getting ready to turn back when the engine cuts out. In a way, I’m relieved, as it was making so much noise, but I’m worried I won’t get it started again. All I hear is lapping water against the boat and I survey the chamber with the torch in case I’ve missed something. The sweep confirms what I already know, but then I see it, a light, way down in the water and as before, it’s electric blue. It darts under the boat and another appears, then another, until there are four lights and there’s no doubt in my mind, these things are intelligent, I can feel it. They are watching me and I hear a faint whispering. Now things get even stranger, it’s like they know who I am, they know our purpose and they are asking me to contact David. Of course, David, that’s why I’m here. I must go to the mainland and bring him to this place. It is time for him to start the next phase of his journey. The lights fade and the engine starts up all on its own and while their instructions are fresh in my mind, I must head back and write them down.

  When Frank picks me up he doesn’t look surprised that I haven’t caught anything, but he’s not himself, he’s a lot quieter and we hardly make conversation the whole journey home. I’m so excited I lose my appetite and spend the evening in my room going over the instructions they gave to me. I want to wait for you Lim, but I have a feeling I have to do this alone. I will take a message to David, only I’m not sure how I’m going to get to where he lives. I think its miles away.

  Day nineteen.

&
nbsp; I talk to Frank over breakfast and explain I need to go to the mainland. Frank listens and I can tell he wants to know why, but he doesn’t ask and instead offers to drive me. The three of us will go; he thinks it will be good for Hilly to get away. They know the town in which David lives and it just so happens they have some friends who live there. They haven’t seen them in a while, so this will be a good opportunity.

  Day twenty.

  It was quite a drive and I get dropped off and we arrange to meet up in town in a few hours. After walking past David’s place several times, I pluck up the courage to open the gate and walk up to the door. He’s not in and I’m not sure whether that’s a good thing or not, but I was prepared for that and I leave the note I’ve written for him with his neighbour, a little lady with a cat called Lucy. You know how long I’ve wanted to see a real cat and here’s one right in front of me. The lady softens a little after she knows I like cats and even asks me in. I decline, but I can’t leave without making a fuss of Lucy and I feel her deep purring, vibrate through my hand. The lady even comments how quickly Lucy has taken to me; she’s normally shy around strangers. How sweet.

  I’ve done it, been to where David lives and left him a note and all I can do now is wait. David might not even come and I have to be prepared for that. What if the Formless Ones find out? Hadn’t even given that a thought until now. I’m worried.

  Day twenty one.

  I spend the day in town, waiting, but David doesn’t show, so will try again tomorrow. Frank’s grown a bit distant, or maybe it’s me that has. I’m not talking about things as much as I had been. I fear for my safety more and more and the safety of Frank and Hilly. I get the feeling I’m being watched, followed or maybe I’m just going mad with paranoia. It’s so hard not knowing where you are and I stop myself every time I start to think I won’t see you again. I shouldn’t think like this, we’re almost there and I have a good feeling about tomorrow. I’m also worried that you won’t get this diary should anything happen to me, so I’ve decided to bury it tonight. I am being asked to guide David to a portal and I’m not sure where that’s going to leave me exactly.

  I’m like a ship lost at sea without you, but I know that when the time comes you will be guiding me, like a beacon of light, so I have nothing to fear. I’ll be waiting and now that you have my diary, you’re halfway to finding me.

  All my love, Miar.

  Lim looked up from the diary. “Half way to finding her!”

  “Sounds like we might have to find this sea cave,” said Joeum.

  “I don’t get what those lights in the cave were all about,” said Clom.

  “She’s made contact.”

  “With whom?”

  “The Aquatics.”

  “Seriously? The mermaid people!”

  “Yes. Now, Lim, let me take a look at the map on the back of Miar’s letter.”

  Lim handed Miar’s letter to Laja and he was pretty sure they would be able to find the sea cave without too much trouble.

  “We’ve got company,” said Joeum.

  From their position, they had a clear view of the high street and were now aware of a solitary figure moving in their direction. This was perhaps not a major concern, but when this individual stopped at the bank they’d robbed, they began to wonder. Was this person out for an early morning stroll or did they have more to worry about?

  “We aren’t breaking any laws by sitting here,” said Joeum.

  The memorial was well lit, so they were pretty sure they’d been spotted.

  “Let me do the talking,” said Laja.

  The individual walked with purpose and as he came into the light, it was clear that he represented the law around here. The dark uniform, the hat and the static from the radio.

  “Morning gentlemen.”

  “Morning officer,” replied Laja.

  “You’re not causing any trouble, but can I ask you to be thinking about moving along?”

  “We were just leaving.”

  “That’s fine.”

  It was clear that the officer was happy with the situation and turned to leave, but it was then that the lights around the memorial flickered and Laja noticed a dark shadowy form move rapidly from across the road and enter the body of the officer. The officer didn’t know what hit him and stopped abruptly. His body twitched violently and he turned back to face Laja.

  “You don’t belong here do you?”

  Laja wasn’t sure anyone else had seen what he had. “Is there something we can do for you, officer?”

  “You don’t fool me, Lumsulu. Your kind will be next, brought on by your meddling.”

  “Empty threats from a dying race.”

  “We will see about that. Our race is about to be reborn.”

  “Hold onto that fantasy if you want to, it only makes things easier for us.”

  “Coming here was a mistake and you will pay with your lives.”

  There was a sickening snap as the officer’s neck was broken and he fell to the ground in front of them. The shadow left the body and disappeared into the night as quickly as it had appeared.

  “What the hell just happened?” asked Clom.

  “The Formless Ones,” and Laja was on his feet. “There’s no time to lose, let’s get out of here before this place is crawling with the law.”

  Thankfully the streets were deserted, but Laja knew there were surveillance cameras everywhere and they weren’t here to make this a safer place, they were in place to watch over the human race.

  They headed back to the beach, the one place that wasn’t under constant scrutiny and where they might be able to slip back into the shadows. Evading the Formless Ones wasn’t going to be easy and by the time they were back on the sand, the wind had picked up. The sudden change in the weather was whipping up the surf and the crashing sound of the waves was making them think twice about their decision.

  “This can’t be right,” said Clom.

  “Of course it’s not right,” said Laja.

  They looked up and down the beach, not that they could see very much, only the light from the lighthouse, blinking at them. Then a flash of lightning chased away the darkness and revealed a group of shadowy figures, heading in their direction. It was what they’d been dreading. The Formless Ones were coming and they meant business.

  Chapter Nine

  Relentless

  Shade in these parts was even scarcer than water, so it was with some reluctance that they stepped out into the scorching heat. Robin was setting a punishing pace and they were sweating buckets in no time. Despite their efforts, they would need a miracle to catch up with David.

  Shou was keeping an eye on the map and from what he could tell, the green dot hadn’t moved very much in the last few hours. Robin couldn’t imagine how Sie and Shou were going to take the news that Boroc was alive and just thinking about the last time they saw him was bringing Robin out in a cold sweat.

  Their water ran out about an hour ago and Shou hadn’t plucked up the courage to ask if they were nearly there, because he was pretty sure they weren’t. They could still be hours away and just the thought of it was turning the morning into a real slog. He caught Sie looking at him and the pain on her face could have been a reflection of his own. He didn’t even have the energy to force a smile and then he heard Robin say something and wondered if he’d imagined it.

  Shou looked over at Robin and there it was, the Awang. What a relief.

  They were desperate to get into some shade, but not desperate enough to go charging in without a good look around first. The recent sandstorm had wiped the area clean, so there was nothing obvious on their approach, but when they got closer they saw the discoloured rocks around the entrance and their thirst for water suddenly became less of a priority.

  There had been a fire here, which was obvious, but thankfully there were no dead bodies this time, although, on closer inspection, the Awang had seen a lot of activity. The most recent, Robin pointed out, were the tracks of a human and a Shamozolt
.

  “They’re still together then,” said Sie.

  Robin took a closer look at the footprints and it was immediately obvious that they had encountered something here. It was impossible to say what sort of encounter it had been, but the evidence didn’t look good because from this point on, David’s footprints were missing.

  Robin wasn’t about to jump to any conclusions and after only a short distance along the passage, they came upon more of David’s footprints. With the help of a light crystal, they also spied a small metallic object resting on the sand.

  “Another coin,” said Sie, excitedly.

  “It’s like he’s leaving us clues,” said Shou.

  Robin smiled and nodded, unlikely. How was David to know there were others coming to his aid. The coin was dropped accidentally, but finding it confirmed that he had come this way and more importantly, he was still alive.

  They had seen enough and were ready to follow the sharply angled passage into the depths of the Awang. There was a cool breeze blowing up from below, which grew steadily stronger and with it came the rumble of a mighty river.