Cindy snarled, “Why white?”
Abby replied, “White is between blue and yellow, which makes green.”
George said, “That is brilliant!”
Stevie took the path with the white light. As soon as he got to the light, he found the path jogged a bit to the left and headed off again. At the end of that path was a green light. “It looks like Abby was right.”
One more long tunnel and they were out in the open.
Stevie led everyone out of the tunnels and into a massive clearing. “Wow” was all he could manage.
George, somewhat winded, set his pack down and looked up. “This is cool. I bet you could fit all of Fenway Park in here and still have room for the Boston Garden.”
Stevie said, “You like baseball?”
“I love it. I've only been to Fenway once with a school group, but it was awesome. Have you ever been to see the Red Sox play?”
“Nope, but I watch them on TV sometimes.”
Abby said, “Hey, look at the waterfall from the ceiling.”
They all looked up. An opening hundreds of feet above their heads had a shaft of light streaming down, and, behind it, a glistening waterfall was pouring onto a huge earthen tower. The tower had jagged rocks jutting out from it, and some small trees were growing up from tiny ledges. A stream was flowing near the base of the tower with yellow, gold, and purple flowers all along its banks. A few brightly colored butterflies flitted about.
Jo smiled as one of the butterflies landed on her arm.
Cindy said, “I’m getting hungry. Let's take a break.”
It was the least objectionable thing she had said all day, so everyone agreed.
They were surrounded by the most amazing sights. Stevie whispered to Abby, “This is a pretty cool adventure.”
Abby gave him a hug. “You were right; this is much better than being stuck in my room. Hey, look at the walls, they seem to be glowing.”
Stevie looked where she was pointing and saw glowing veins of rock. “I bet it looks great at night.”
George, although nibbling on some crackers, was too excited to sit still. Everyone had sat down near the opening to the tunnel, but George started to venture out along the wall. He broke off a piece of the glowing rock and put it in his bag.
Jo, sitting alone on a mossy patch of ground, pulled a Moleskin notebook, pencil, and tiny silver sharpener from her skirt pocket. She opened it to a fresh page, wrote the heading, Challenge Day 1, and wrote down everything they had done thus far. She described the strange stairs, the mountain, and how they had figured out how to open the tunnel. She wrote down everyone's name then started to draw a tiny flower growing between two rocks by a sapling. When she finished the drawing she carefully wrote Name: and drew a line. A butterfly landed on the flower, so she drew it, too. She wasn't sure if it was the same one as before, but, since the others seemed to be keeping their distance, she thought it might be. She named it Willow just for fun. After finishing the butterfly drawing, she put her little notebook away and stood up. George was quite a long ways away and was looking at something intently. She decided to go have a look, too.
“What is that?” Jo asked.
“I don't know, but it has more symbols in it. See,” he said, pointing to a black box that was sitting on a small pillar that looked like sandstone. The cube had symbols on all five of the sides that they could see. He tried to lift it to check the underside, but it wouldn't budge.
“Those are different than the other symbols. I wonder what they mean?”
George shrugged.
Jo took out her notebook and quickly sketched each glyph on its own line.
George leaned over and watched her sketch. “You're taking notes. Do you think there's going to be a quiz at the end?”
Jo giggled. “You're funny. I hope not.”
George was glad that he was standing behind her, so she couldn't see him blushing. He wasn't trying to be funny; he always worried about quizzes and never felt prepared. Still, making her laugh felt much better than being laughed at.
Abby and Stevie walked over. Stevie asked, “What's that?”
“We don't know,” George answered, “but it has more symbols.”
Abby leaned over to look at the strange black cube and her hair brushed across the top. A moment later, the triangle with two dots in it started to glow neon blue.
George asked, “How'd you do that?”
Abby stepped back. “I don't know. I didn't do anything. I just leaned over it.”
The cube started to hum, then it began to spin and rise off the pillar. All of them stood back and watched. Cindy had come up behind them unnoticed. “What's it doing?”
Abby was startled but said, “It just started spinning when I got near it.”
George added eagerly, “Yeah, it's awesome. When I tried to pick it up, I couldn't even move it.”
Cindy tossed her hair and said, “Why am I not surprised?”
The cube slowed down and settled back on top of the pedestal. There was a creaking sound, and an oval opening appeared in the rocks behind it. Hovering in the space was a blue and silver bow with a quiver of arrows.
Stevie said, “Cool, we found treasure.” He reached for the bow but yanked his hand back after he touched it. “Damn, it shocked me.”
George nodded. “I guess the bow is for Abby.”
Abby said, “I don't know anything about archery. I don't want it.”
Cindy pushed past Abby. “I was the best archer in my gym class. I'll take it.” She reached out to snatch it but was shocked, too. “Ouch,” she yelped.
Stevie said, “Abby, I think George is right. It's for you. Go ahead and give it a try.”
Abby reached a tentative hand out and grabbed the bow. It felt warm in her hand. She liked how it looked.
Stevie gave Abby a light shove. “Go on, try it.”
Abby set the quiver on the ground and pulled out an arrow. She notched it and pulled back part way and launched the arrow in the direction of a tree a short ways away. She missed to the right.
Cindy said, “You need to try to hit it!”
“I did,” she protested.
Stevie asked, “What were you aiming at?”
“The tree, duh, and I missed.”
Cindy said, “You need to pick a specific spot, pull the bow back all the way, and look down the arrow for aim.”
“Fine, I'll try again,” Abby said as she pulled out another arrow. This time she pulled the bow string all the way back. She was about to let go when Stevie asked, “What are you aiming for?”
“The trunk.”
“Where on the trunk?”
“The knot about half way up, okay?”
“Good choice.”
Abby took a deep breath, lined the arrow up, and let it fly. There was a crackling noise as it sailed through the air and landed in the center of the knot.
Stevie gave her a fist bump. “Now that is what I'm talking about.”
Cindy clucked, “I could have made that shot. It's only ten meters away.”
Everyone ignored her.
George ran up to the tree and reached for the arrow. He paused, but after a moment, decided to give it a try. He pulled the arrow out and yelled triumphantly, “I got it; no shocks.” With a hop over a bush, he went off to look for the other arrow.
Abby looked at the bow, ran her fingers over it, and said, mostly to herself, “I wonder why we would need a bow?”
Jo looked up from her notebook and jotted something down.
George came running back. “I found the other one and guess what?”
Everyone looked at him blankly for a moment. Stevie asked, “What?”
“I saw another pillar.”
Even Cindy was excited though she tried to hide it, and they all ran after George when he scampered off past the tree.
The next pillar looked the same as the first, but the cube was red. George leaned over it like Abby had done, then tried to pick it up, but nothing happened.
“Oh, well,” he said and stepped aside.
Abby gave Stevie a shove. “Try it.”
Stevie walked towards it. Before he even got close, it started to glow red and spin. When the rock wall opened Stevie saw, much to his delight, a long sword with red jewels in the handle. He took it down, pulled it from its scabbard, and took a few swings. It felt good.
George asked if he could try it, and Stevie handed it over. The sword’s tip hit the ground, and George gasped, “It is heavy, really heavy.”
“Funny, it seemed light as a feather to me. It must be magical.”
Cindy said, “Or maybe Georgie boy isn't very strong.”
George didn't let Cindy get to him and said, “There must be more; let's find them.”
The orange cube gave George a small shield and short sword. He was very pleased, especially with the dragon design on the shield.
The next cube gave Jo a strange leather bag and a matching book. The bag was tiny and the book was big, but, when she opened the bag near the book, the bag expanded until she could slide the book inside.
Cindy laughed. “What are you supposed to do with that? Hit ‘em with it? Great prize there.”
Jo looked down at her feet and said softly, “I like books.”
George whispered, “You can stand behind me and my shield.”
“Thanks,” Jo said in a mousey voice.
Stevie said, “Well, there must be one more for Cindy, so let's get back to looking.”
“I hope it isn't a book,” Cindy said as she ran a brush through her hair.
They followed the rock wall all the way around to the other side of the giant tower until Abby saw the pillar. “It is over there by the tower.”
Cindy took off running and grabbed the cube, but nothing happened. “What...it's broken. This sucks.”
Stevie looked at the pale yellow cube and said, “Maybe this is meant for our missing person?”
Abby agreed. “That's right; we’re supposed to have six of us. Let's keep looking.”
They circled around the rest of the tower and were back to the tunnel opening.
Cindy stomped her foot. “Great, I get squat.”
Abby looked up, “Maybe it is up there?”
Everyone looked at the tower, and Stevie said, “I bet you're right. There must be a path.”
Abby started running. “I think I see it.”
Everyone followed and, sure enough, when she got closer the path was visibly wrapping around the outside of the earthen tower. They followed it until it reached the ground behind a giant bush with red berries. The path was thin, so Stevie went first with his sword out just in case. Abby was behind him though she kept her bow over her shoulder. George brought up the rear proudly holding up his shield and sword.
As they climbed, a huge hawk started to circle them high above the tower.
Stevie said, “Look at the size of that thing. It must be eight meters across.”
Jo gasped, “Maybe we should go back.”
They were already near the top, and Stevie kept inching forward. A loud “wheek, wheek, wheek” started from somewhere up above followed by more of the same. The hawk continued to circle.
Two huge boulders marked the top of the path. Everyone squeezed between the rocks, and Abby pointed at two, huge furry creatures that seemed to be very upset by the hawk. One had long brown fur and the other was tan and white with much shorter fur. She whispered, “What are those?”
The creature with the long fur heard them and spun around. It stopped wheeking but looked right at them then, just as quickly, turned its attention back to the hawk.
“What is it?” Abby asked.
“They look like giant guinea pigs,” Jo said, “and I think the hawk is after them. We need to help.” She ran out from the rocks waving her hands and yelled, “Go away. Leave them be.”
The hawk either didn't speak English or didn't care what she said because he took a long arcing turn and dived towards the tan and white guinea pig. The tan and white piggy darted away, but the hawk was gaining on him. Stevie yelled and ran towards the fleeing beast holding his sword tightly in both hands.
The hawk with its massive talons spread its wings and reached out for the terrified guinea pig, but Stevie swiped at its belly knocking feathers everywhere. The hawk pulled up and let out a mighty squawk. The guinea pig wheeled around and started running towards the longhaired one. Abby had her bow out and was running after George who was waving his shield and sword until he tripped and fell.
The hawk dove again, and, this time, both guinea pigs stayed put under the giant tree. The hawk was closing fast. Stevie and Jo stood their ground.
Then Jo screamed, “George!”
The hawk wasn't diving for the guinea pigs; he was zooming towards George who was still lying stunned on the ground. Jo started to run to him, but George was much too far away. She would never make it.
The hawk reached for George but screeched as one of Abby's arrows tore through its wing. A trail of feathers fell from the bird as it flew up and out of the hole above them. Jo slid to a stop beside George. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” he said, sounding embarrassed.
Abby and Stevie ran up to Jo and George. Abby kneeled down beside him and said, “It's okay. The hawk is gone.”
“Thanks, Abby.”
Jo helped him up, and Stevie handed him his sword and shield. “Don't worry about it, bro, it could have happened to anyone.”
Cindy said, “Yeah, right. Now, where is my…” She saw the pillar over near the giant guinea pigs. Both of the guinea pigs were next to each other staring directly at the group. They looked ferocious...and cute. Still, Cindy wasn't sure she wanted to get near them.
Jo stood up, grabbed a clump of grass, and walked over to the longhaired one. She held it out, and he took half and started to nibble on it. Then she gave the rest to the tan and white one.
The guinea pigs moved away from the pillar and munched their noms. Abby and Jo picked some more grass for them while Cindy went to try the pink cube on the pillar. As soon as she got within three feet of it, it started to spin, and a staff fell from the branches of the tree above her. It was gold and pink with all sorts of glyphs carved in it. She was about to say something about getting a stupid stick, but, when she spun it around in her hands, it felt right. All she said was “cool.”
Chapter Seven
“Children, over here,” yelled Alouicious.
Abby looked up but didn't see anything. Nobody else seemed to hear it. “Hey, Stevie, did you hear that?”
“Hear what?”
“I thought I heard someone yelling for us.”
Stevie stopped and listened.
“I’m not kidding. I really heard something.”
“I believe you.”
“I’m over here; go around the tree.”
That time they both heard the voice as did everyone else including the guinea pigs. Cindy hustled around the tree, saw Alouicious, and ran towards him. “Finally. We did your stupid test and beat the hawk, and I for one am ready to get out of here.”
Alouicious adjusted his glasses and pulled out a heavy book as everyone caught up with Cindy. He stood in an opening in the side of the cavern wall. There was a four meter gap between the ledge he stood on and the edge of the earthen tower.
Cindy looked nervously over the edge and asked, “So, are you gonna get us out of here or what?”
Alouicious flipped a page of the book saying half to himself, “I don't recall anything about a hawk.”
Cindy, having lost her patience, yelled, “You don't recall anything about a hawk?! Are you kidding me? He almost grabbed Georgie boy.”
Alouicious looked up. “Well, you've made it to Cochon Tower, I see. How is it going?”
Abby spoke up before Cindy started shouting again. “We're fine. What do we do now?”
Alouicious mumbled something they couldn't understand and asked, “What is this about a hawk? I don't recall there being a hawk.”
George seemed happy to see Alouicous. “It was crazy. It was huge and tried to get the guinea pigs, but we stopped ‘em. Well, Abby mostly because she shot him with her bow and arrow. It almost got me, too.”
Alouicious said, “That is very unusual. Guinea pigs, you say?”
Just then both guinea pigs scurried from behind the tree. The longhaired one let out a loud “wheek” and stopped right next to Abby. The brown and white one got distracted by a clump of grass and started to snack.
Alouicious closed the book with a thwack, “Well, isn't this a surprise. My old friends Billy and Badger, how have you been?”
The longhaired one stood on his hind legs and said in a deep voice, “We are just fine thanks to your friends here.”
Everyone stopped and stared. George whispered to Jo, “They talk? Did you hear them talk?”
Jo, smiling broadly, whispered back, “I did. Isn't it wonderful?”
Alouicious said, “What is this about a hawk?”
Billy, sniffing the air, said, “I can't be sure, but I think it was from the dark stone castle.”
Alouicious replied, “That's impossible.”
“I might be wrong, but it looked a lot like the Hawk of Drukel.”
“The Hawk of Drukel is dead; you know that. Anyway, what would it be doing here, in one of the tests? It just isn't possible.”
“Badger saw the mark on its talon.”
Alouicious turned to Badger and asked, “Badger, are you sure?”
Badger said, “Wheek.”
Alouicious continued, “If it had been anyone else, I'd have not believed it, but you two have the sharpest eyes this side of the Arillion forest, and you've never let me down before. Now, children, have you unlocked all six pillars?”
George said, “We couldn't because there are only five of us.”
Alouicious answered, “Oh, don't be so sure. They can all be opened, but I admit each one is more receptive to a specific person. I suggest you go back and give the last one another try. It's important.
“Now, this whole hawk business has got me concerned. I'm going to have to immediately go back and tell Alphie. This is most unusual.” Alouicious turned and headed into the tunnel and yelled as he was fading into the darkness, “You are doing great. Keep it up. I'll see you at the obelisk.”
Secret Doors: The Challenge Page 4