The Forbidden Script

by Richard Brockwell

  As they approached the half way mark they could see flames dancing in the distance with large shadows swirling around the cavern walls. Jason feared it was too late. He just hoped his daughter Sally was still alive. Kate could hear his deep breathing, feeling his urge to descend, but his leg wouldn’t permit it. Kate stopped to help him, quickening their way down. Thoughts ran through Jason’s head as he remembered the last time he was here. The entrance to the cavern was blocked by rocks that meant Tony and the others had to clear the entrance, buying more time for Sally’s survival.

  Jason turned off Kate’s flashlight and continued towards the entrance. He led the way with Kate behind him, who was barely able to see three feet in front of her.

  Tony and Travis managed to remove a fair amount of rocks from the entrance, enabling Jason to pass through with ease. He kept himself as low to the ground as he could. When he saw it was safe for Kate to enter, he signaled for her to enter. They both crawled to the edge of the stairway, peering down on what was going on. What they saw stunned them both.

  Kate was shocked when she saw the body of Sally slumped face up on the stone table. What shocked her even more, was the ghastly figure a few feet away from her helpless body. The dark figure had revealed its true self, transforming from a dark, ghostly figure into a rotting human body having the head of an owl. The remaining flesh began to peel off with every move it made. Standing above Sally’s body was the underworld god Ah-Puch.

  Jason rose to his feet at what he saw, but Kate quickly pulled him back down.

  “I can blow that mad man’s head off at this range! Why are you stopping me?” asked Jason.

  “And what about that thing down there? Bullets won’t kill it! I’ve seen pictures of that in books. It’s some Mayan God of the underworld. Sally is still alive, or else this ritual would already be over. The sacrifice has not been made yet,” answered Kate.

  “Okay, but I’m not waiting until it’s over! Sally’s in danger down there. I have to get to her before he harms her,” said Jason, trying to keep calm.

  Kate said, “that thing could harm her before we even get close to them! I don’t think we’re dealing with the living here!”

  So Jason and Kate backed away as they tried to find an alternative way to get as close as possible to rescue Sally. Tony and the others were all focused on what was happening around them. Jason took a chance and made his way down the steps with his back pressed against the wall, keeping hidden in the shadows. Kate, holding her breath followed him, keeping watch on what was happening. Not more than twenty yards away from the center, they both remained hidden in the shadows.

  The Mayan God stood where it was a few feet away from Sally. Tony nearing the end of the text was now raising his hands in the air, about to ask his wishes to the God Ah-Puch in return for the sacrifice of Sally. Tony knew once she was dead, her energy would be transferred from her body and into his. The underworld god would have her spirit and soul.

  But Tony wanted more, he wanted passageway into the underworld realm. Having the ability to communicate with spirits, he closed his eyes in concentration, communicating with the spirit in front of him.

  Ah-Puch looked up at him as if surprised by Tony’s capability. The owl eyes locked onto Tony, waiting his requests. He knew it would take more than one offering for him to enter the underworld. So it was agreed three sacrifices would have to be made to the gods besides Sally. Tony also offered the sacrifice of Travis and Rosie.

  The spirit focused its eyes onto Travis and then across to Rosie. They both realized something was not right. Rosie was the first to try and make a run for it, but somehow, she could not bring herself to move her body. Travis also was paralyzed on the spot. By the power of the spirits, both Travis and Rosie were at the mercy of the underworld god.

  Tony then took out his Bowie knife from his bag. He crossed over to Rosie slitting her wrists. She was not able to move or make a sound. It was her eyes that gave away the pain she was feeling. Tony looked her in the eye, smiling as she slowly slipped away into unconsciousness.

  Travis knew it was his turn next. By eye movement alone, he begged for Tony not to take his life. The underworld God released the hold it had on Rosie, letting her drained bloodless body fall to the ground. Tony absorbed the energy flowing from her body. Feeling revived and fresh, he made his way over to where Travis stood.

  Kate watched Rosie as her body fell to the ground. Jason also saw what had happened. He rushed out of the shadows, took out his loaded weapon ready to end all of this right now. Bullets hit the statues that surrounded the sacrificial table, pieces of marble flew in all directions with each impact. Kate followed Jason keeping behind him, protected by his body. The sound of the gun echoed loudly around the cavern.

  Tony had to move fast; he was not about to lose the chance he had so long waited for. He swiftly stabbed Travis deep in the chest, and then he turned his attention to Sally. Protected by the marble statues, Tony smiled at her as he slowly slit her wrists one by one.

  Just ten yards away, and without ammo, Jason found the strength he needed. He made a run towards Tony.

  Kate started to scream as blood dripped rapidly from Sally’s wrists, but what she saw next horrified her even more. Sally’s body slowly began to rise from the sacrificial table. Her head, arms and legs dangled as she rose three feet into the air.

  It was now or never. Jason was only four yards away from Tony as he dove through the air just like an attacking football player would do when charging an opponent. Jason hit his target hard, his arms gripped Tony around the waist causing both men to fly across the floor.

  Kate ran towards Sally, also looking where Jason and Tony fell, but to her astonishment, they were gone, disappeared into thin air. Now she had to face the only obstacle left, the death God of the underworld. Sally’s body rose higher and higher into the air. Kate watched the evil figure as it spun around with flames emerging from its hands in Sally’s direction. Kate had to stop the flames before Sally’s body burned to ashes. Without thinking, she managed to jump onto the stone table, taking hold of Sally, pulling her down just as the flames passed within inches of her. She then threw herself over Sally’s body, protecting her from the Mayan god Ah-Puch. Expecting at any moment to be burned alive, she waited for the flames to engulf her, but strangely enough, nothing happened. Slowly raising her head, she looked around, nothing, she and Sally were alone inside the cavern. She then looked down at Sally, who was still losing blood; her body felt cold to the touch. Kate checked for a pulse but could not find one. She quickly ripped pieces of her shirt, tying Sally’s wrists in an attempt to stop the bleeding. Then she began to perform CPR, pumping Sally’s chest and giving her mouth to mouth resuscitation.

  “Come back Sally! Don’t give up on me now!”

  Tears rolled down Kate’s cheeks onto Sally’s cold white face. She repeated CPR again and again, not willing to give up.

  “Please God! Don’t let it end like this, take me instead!”

  The flamed torches around the cavern began to die down. Exhausted, Kate laid her head across Sally’s chest as she lay lifeless beneath her. It was over she thought as she listened to the silence all around her.

  She was about to stand up when something caught her eye at the far end of the cavern. She wiped her eyes from the tears, trying to make out what it was. She could see a small glowing light moving through the air, just like a firefly would do. The small orb approached her closer and closer, lighting up the dark shadows as it floated slowly towards her.

  Frightened and not knowing what to expect, she backed away nearly tripping over Jason’s gun. With trembling hands, Kate picked it up, pointing it at the approaching orb. Suddenly it stopped just above Sally, hovering and pulsating as if it were alive. Kate stood where she was, staring at it, hypnotized by the flashing light. It began to glow brighter and brighter, so bright that she had to cover her eyes. Then something strange happened. The orb began to spin faster and faster when all of a sudden it descende
d, penetrating Sally’s chest. Her whole body lit up, light glowing through her skin. Kate watched Sally as her back began to arc. She then bravely moved next to her, watching as she began to shake vigorously. The next instant Sally exhaled as the small round light emerged from her body and into the air. Startled, she took a step back, waiting to see what was going to happen next. The orb floated above Sally for a few seconds before turning into the form of a young girl. She was dressed in white clothing with jewels worn around her neck, resembling an ancient Mayan princess. Kate couldn’t believe what she was seeing. She smiled up at the young girl who then smiled back at her before disappearing into the darkness of the cavern. Sally’s body slowly rested back on the stone table without moving. Kate approached her, not certain what had happened. She was looking down at her when Sally’s eyes slowly began to open. Sally turned her head to the side, looking up at Kate.

  “Where is my father?” She asked.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

  Jason and Tony toppled over each other as they hit the ground hard. Both men equal in size and strength rushed to their feet. Jason took a blow to the stomach. Then Tony’s fist came smashing down across his face. With blood dripping from his lips, Jason fought back, elbowing Tony in the chest, knocking him from under his feet falling flat on his back. Jason raised his foot, and brought it back down, but Tony quickly moved to the side as his boot hit the ground only inches away.

  Tony saw Jason’s injured leg and struck at it dead on, opening the wound again. Jason shouted out in pain as he tumbled over holding his leg. Tony now stood above him with his Bowie knife in hand.

  “Get up! Before I kill you where you lay, just like I killed your daughter!”

  Jason lifted up his jeans leg, reaching for his knife as he got to his feet. The two men faced each other lashing out with their knives. Tony received a few cuts to his hands, while Jason not quick enough due to his injury was taking a beating. Tony laughed each time his blade struck Jason, who was now limping on one leg. Tony continuously directed his attack at Jason’s leg. He was losing blood fast and knew he couldn’t hold on much longer. Tony came at him again and again. Jason blocked as many blows as he could, but he knew time was running out for him. He looked around for his gun but could not see it. He could neither see Kate or Sally. His whole surroundings seemed different to him. He saw Tony rushing towards him as he tried to get to his feet, but he fell back down again. It was over. Blood was everywhere, and he didn’t have the strength to carry on. Jason was giving in; he had lost the battle and was waiting for it to be over, waiting to die.

  Tony towered over him, holding his knife with both hands, ready to strike the last deadly blow.

  “Die you FBI pig!” Shouted out Tony.

  But nothing happened, everything came to a halt. Jason looked up at Tony, his knife only a few inches from his chest. Tony was still as a statue. Stunned at what he was seeing, Jason moved out from under the knife. Then it emerged from amongst the shadows. The underworld god was heading towards them. Tony’s body was now in the hands of Ah-Puch. Just like a puppet, his body performed to each movement of the Spirit’s hands. He was lifted up, then spun around to face the underworld god, who spoke out in a deep growling voice.

  “You have entered my domain where you are not welcome! This place is a place of the gods, spirits from another realm!”

  Ah-Puch released the grip it had on Tony, allowing him to speak.

  “We had an understanding. I gave you three sacrifices in return for my being granted a passage here. He is not welcome. You should exterminate him like a bug!” said Tony, pointing at Jason.

  Ah-Puch approached them even closer. Stretching out his hand, he pointed behind Jason and Tony, where immediately a dark corner of the cold cavern lit up. There in front of them was Kate embracing Sally, who was still alive.

  “The girl lives. Only two sacrifices were given to me,” said the underworld god.

  Jason crawled towards his daughter, shouting out her name, but she neither Kate could hear him. Father and daughter were in different realms. Sally was in the land of the living while Jason, who had held onto Tony, had unwillingly crossed over into the land of the dead.

  Tony couldn’t believe it. He called out.

  “It can’t be! I slit her wrists! I saw her die!”

  Ah-Puch regained control of Tony’s body, dragging him forward until he was a few feet in front of him.

  “The girl is strongly protected,” answered Ah-Puch.

  Tony felt tightness around his neck as the underworld god squeezed his grip tighter and tighter, breaking his neck. He then tossed his body across the floor. Its next move was to get rid of Jason, who lay on the ground too weak to move. Sensing his weakness, Ah-Puch had no need to take control of Jason’s body. He knelt down next to him, holding his beaten face in his hands. Jason felt the pressure as his skull was slowly being crushed.

  “Sally needs you Jason! She’s calling out to you. Go back to her!” Pleaded Anne’s voice as he was about to black out.

  Jason regained consciousness, opening his eyes as he felt the large dagger in his hands. He drove it deep into the underworld god’s stomach, slicing upwards through its chest.

  “Nobody messes with me and lives to tell! Not even you!” cried out Jason.

  The underworld god yelled out, loosening its grip on Jason. It then turned away into the dark corners before Jason passed out.

  Kate, relieved that Sally was still alive couldn’t stop crying. She took out a bottle of water and washed away her bloodstained hands. Sally asked again as she managed to sit up.

  “Where is my father? Is he alright?”

  Kate brushed away the loose strands of hair from her face.

  “I don’t know what happened Sally. He was right in front of me when he knocked Tony off his feet. That’s the last time I saw him.”

  Both girls held onto each other, tears streaming down their faces.

  “We have to get out of this place. It’s pure evil down here. This cavern should remain hidden from the outside world. It’s a place for holy priests that ruled the Mayan world,” said Kate.

  Sally held back. “No! I can’t leave here without him. He’s alive. I can feel it.”

  Then through the silence they heard groaning sounds like someone was in pain.

  “Did you hear that?”

  The sound was coming from a dark corner of the cavern.

  “Sally be careful! We don’t know what it is!”

  Sally knew right away what it was. Taking a flamed torch she walked cautiously towards the sound. As the light penetrated the dark shadows, she saw the figure of a man sitting with his back to the wall barely alive.

  “Dad!” Cried out Sally, “you’re alive!”

  She ran to him throwing the flame to the ground. She knelt down beside him hugging her father around the neck, eyes swelling with tears as she kissed him on his bloodstained face.

  “Easy there sweetheart! You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” said Jason trying to hold back a tear as it rolled down his battered cheek.

  “Sally! Your mother helped me. She is here with us.”

  “I know! She’s been with us the whole time!”

  Kate was soon by his side, wiping her tear streaked face.

  “Are you able to stand up? She asked.

  “I think I can manage with your help.”

  They helped him to his feet and walked out of the shadows and into the center of the cavern.

  Kate said, “I need to dress your wound. Your bandages have blood all over them.”

  They began to make their way towards the stone table, when Jason suddenly lost his balance. He fell forward, hitting the stone table and slightly dislodging the top part.

  Sally cried out, “dad are you alright?”

  “I’m okay. I guess I’m too heavy for you guys.”

  Kate noticed something strange about the sacrificial table. She took out her flashlight and walked around, shining the light inside the hollow table.<
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  “Jason! Look here. There’s something inside.”

  Sally came over to have a look as Jason edged his way holding onto the sides.

  “It seems deeper than it looks,” said Sally.

  “On three, we push the top part away,” said Jason.

  With all three pushing to one side, the heavy lid slowly crunched open revealing a large opening. What they saw inside surprised them all. They were looking down into an underground chamber buried deep under the cavern floor.

  “My god!” Said Sally, “it’s a secret tomb! We have to get down there and check it out!”

  “It’s up to Kate. I don’t think I can make it down there, and besides who’s gonna pull you back up again if I go down?” Said Jason.

  Kate was excited just as much as Sally.

  “Jason, this might be the lost king’s burial chamber that we read about in Helen’s books,” she said.

  “We better hurry up about it. I have a gut feeling we’re not alone down here,” said Jason, as Sally was already climbing into the tomb.

  Jason then took hold of her hands lowering her down. He released her, letting her drop the last few feet. Kate was soon standing next to Sally inside the dark chamber. Jason then handed them one of the flame torches. As soon as Kate held it up, the whole thirty foot square room was a sight they never dreamed of seeing. In the furthest part of the chamber lay a huge sarcophagus painted in gold. Rubies and emeralds covered its sides, glittering and shining as they approached it. Surrounding it were churns filled with golden nuggets. On the rear wall stood colorful paintings of the king standing high upon the tallest pyramid of Chichen Itza. Surrounding the temple grounds were his people bowing to him in respect. In the picture, the king was seen holding up his arms to the heaven gods as rays of sunlight poured down over his people. The king must have been one of the greatest rulers of the Mayan civilization.

  Kate had discovered the resting place of the lost king.

  Sally was about to touch the sarcophagus when she heard her father calling.