“Bring her.” Sabio ordered Paul as he climbed out of the vehicle acknowledging the shouts of his followers who welcomed him home. They stood on porches, by open doors and hanging out of windows near to celebrating at his return with hands waiving.
The teacher leaned over and untied the bonds holding her ankles together before lifting Alitta out of the back of the jeep and setting her on the ground beside him. She was a bit embarrassed by the two protrusions from her blouse top yet the teacher was kind enough not to stare too much or mention it. Instead, he untied her arms and told her to follow him as he headed for the largest of the five structures.
“Jefe no say to release her.” Julio said almost angrily. “Where could she possibly go?” Paul asked arms wide indicating the large cave. The guard nodded and indicated for them to move along.
Alitta estimated that near fifty people lived in this underground town so well hidden from the rest of the world. She observed almost twenty females of various ages. Not all of them seemed happy to be here, but the alternative was worse in the little towns and countryside that these bandits pilfered.
A woman in her mid to late thirties met Sabio planting a deep and passionate kiss upon him. When they parted, she looked Alitta up and down with her dark brown eyes knowingly. She had been pretty once, but the years of hard work were starting to take their toll on her.
She wore a skimpy red top and a short cotton skirt awhirl of color as one saw along the coastal regions. “Who’s the Chica, Sabio? How dare you bring one of your conquests home. I told you what would happen if you did you lying son of a bi…” “Franchesca now hold on. I didn’t mount her if that’s what you think. Go on, tell her.” he almost pleaded with the Paleontologist no longer the jungle cat he’d swaggered to be before.
“…Why I should cut your balls off and…” “Honey, there’s no need…” “Don’t you honey me after what you’ve done.” “I don’t do…” “Don’t you lie to me. I can smell that stinking whore all over you.”
Alitta had just about had all that she could take and cut into the private conversation. “He only helped me up when I’d fallen at my dig site.” She said loud enough to be heard over their arguing. “Clumsy me, I tripped over my feet at seeing such a virile man.” she lied as Sabio’s love finally quieted down enough to listen.
“See.” he said holding out his arms innocently. “Oh baby.” Franchesca said wrapping him in a hug rubbing her chest against him suggestively. “I’m sorry…” “It’s ok.” “I shouldn’t have accused you and ...” “True, you should listen next time.” “…and I’m going to make it up to you right now.”
“Now?...uhm now’s not a good time my sweet.” “What?” “I mean we just got back and there’s loot to be divided…” “That’s why you have subordinates.” “…and the treasure to find for us and…”
“Treasure? What treasure?” “…Ahh Paul?” Sabio said snapping his fingers for the teacher to explain. “Uhm, yes…well there’s this…uhm…eagle talisman that the lady American here discovered…and, well it may be…” “Eagle talisman? Let me see.” Franchesca demanded.
Not wanting to incur the wrath of the leader of these outlaws, Alitta came forward and pulled it out of her blouse so that it could be seen. She looked at it and then at Sabio as if to ask why it wasn’t around her neck instead.
Alitta snatched it back and slipped it inside of her shirt where it hung down warm against her skin as if it had been heated by the sun. Franchesca stomped her foot before storming off with Sabio in tow. An endless stream of apologies fallen from his lips as he tried to placate her. He looked at Alitta once for help but she just indicated her ripped blouse turning away from the rebel leader letting him suffer the wrath he so richly deserved
Paul showed her to the smallest of the buildings where a room had been prepared for her. “They really are good people, for the most part.” he tried to reassure her.
“Those good people murdered my guide and friend Horacio. Not to mention taking me against my will.” Alitta retorted.
“I’m … Sorry.” He told her than wished her good night. She tried the door after he left only to find that it was locked just as she’d expected.
A few hours later, a woman in her fifties brought a plate of food and a wash basin full of hot water. She nodded to Alitta then left also locking the door behind her. The American noticed that no guards had been stationed outside of her room and filed this away for future reference.
Refried beans, fresh tamales and fried flatbread where on the plate. A pitcher of cool water sat beside it and the Paleontologist had to decide between a hot meal and getting washed up. In the end her stomach won out and she devoured the food surprised at how hungry she had been.
A short nap made her feel refreshed along with the cool water that she used to get cleaned up.
Removing her shirt, Alitta carefully folded it on top of her pants which sat on the corner of the bed that wasn’t much more than a cot. The wash cloth provided helped in removing the grime that had been collected on her sweaty body.
She was startled when she heard the door lock click open. Grabbing her shirt, the professor had just enough time to cover up as an irritated Franchesca stormed in followed by two women.
“Search Her.” the fiery dark haired older woman ordered. When it was apparent that all that the American had was the necklace she pointed towards the door and ordered them. “Leave us.”
They nodded to the matriarch and left closing the door behind them. Alitta stood perfectly still as she was circled like a shark around its prey before it struck.
“Humph.” she said looking the younger woman up and down. “You think that you are so special just because you can turn my man’s eye with your young body? I to was that way once. After delivering two sons, naturally things change. Maybe you’ll see one day.”
The older woman stood in front of her intimidating and Alitta flinched as Franchesca moved a stray hair away from her face brushing her hand against the Americans cheek. Her fingers were soft despite the calluses and long nails.
“You are pretty indeed.” came her casual remark as she shoved a dress that she had been holding into Alitta’s hands before heading towards the door.
“I wonder if he’d be so infatuated with you if you were ashen colored?” she mused openly threatening her with murder as she paused at the door and looked back at what could have been a younger version of herself except for the hair and jaw line.
The paleontologist continued to hold her head high in defiance until the door closed behind her visitor.
Alitta then fell onto the cot sobbing as fright finally overwhelmed her. She thought that she heard a cruel chuckle as her sobs subsided.
With shaky hands, Alitta got dressed again setting aside the dress opting to not be left so vulnerable should Sabio choose to attack her again.
She slept horribly dreaming of falling down a multicolored tunnel. At the bottom a vast green meadow dotted with many different colored flowers stretched for as far as the eye could see. A large group of birds could be seen off in the distance as the sun beat down with its radiance upon her neck and shoulders.
Alitta reveled in its warmth as a light breeze blew from the west causing the flowers to bob and dance almost rhythmically. A large shadow suddenly blocked out the sun and a cry like she had never heard cut to the very core sending waves of fear through Alitta’s entire body.
The flap of large wings kicked up dust causing her to cower as it coated the goose bumps that the fear had brought forth.
Immense sharp claws slammed into her wrapping themselves around her shoulders knocking the breath from her lungs. She choked out a cry as she was lifted up and carried high up into the sky. The flock of birds drew closer and Alitta’s heart stuck in her throat as she looked at what could only be described as very large eagles. Their bodies were eight to twelve foot in length with a wingspan easily three times that.
The one holding her banked and wove its way thru the throng that had g
athered in the air crying out to its brethren. The group followed them as she was flown towards a tall purple hued mountain range.
*****
Alitta awoke to Paul’s touch as he gently shook her awake. She sat up and clung to him as her body shook with fright. “It’s ok.” he said gently stroking her hair trying to sooth her. “I was falling.” was all that she could get out as she tried to catch her breath.
“Shhh. It’s over now.” he said still holding her close. “Why are you here?” Alitta asked pushing him away. “My room is next store and I heard you cry out. I’d hoped that none of Sobio’s men had defied him.” Paul said standing up and heading for the door.
“Wait!” Alitta called after him. “I’m sorry… it’s just that I…” “It’s ok; I shouldn’t have just come in without knocking. I’m sorry.”
“It’s ok, really.” she tried to assure him as he stood at the open door indecisive. Alitta knew that if she planned to ever escape, then it would be good to have him on her side instead of trying to do it alone.
“What did Sabio say exactly?” Alitta wasn’t sure that she wanted to know, but already had an idea. “That no one was to touch you but him.” Paul said before wishing her goodnight and exiting her room. She cringed as the bolt was set locking her up in her prison once more.
She didn’t sleep for the rest of the night as she mulled over every detail of her capture and imprisonment trying to find a plan that would get her safely away from this place and its inhabitants.
The same old woman who’d brought her dinner also brought breakfast to Alitta. She smiled and nodded to her. “Gracious.” “Denote.” Was her reply thanking the older woman with a cautious smile as the American continued to sit on the cot not rising until the old woman was at the door.
With it closed and locked, Alitta relieved herself in the large chamber pot trying not to be revolted at such primitive accommodations.
After breakfast, a knock at the door signified the teacher’s arrival and he asked if she would care to go for a walk. “I’d love to stretch my legs. I’m not use to being so cooped up.” “No small office tucked into the bottom floor of some university somewhere back in the states.” He asked a bit surprised.
“You’ve watched too many Indiana Jones films.” Alitta said with a laugh bumping her hip into his playfully. “No, I’ve always been a field agent so to speak. My dad took me on most of his digs after my mom died and I liked it so much that I followed in his footsteps. Same college, same degree and same museum to work for.” “Ahh, a museum. That would explain it.” “Explain what?” “Your strong scene of being right.”“No I don’t.” Alitta proclaimed though she knew it to be true.
“So, did you go on anymore digs with your dad after graduation?” she fought against the tears that threatened to burst free as she shook her head before answering. Alitta wiped the single tear that had escaped only to roll down her cheek before she continued.
“I was in the Sudan at Meroe studying the Nubian pyramids, temples and palaces ruins and he was in Brazil when a freak storm caused a landslide. The mud turned over his rover and buried it suffocating him before the others in the expedition could dig him out.” came her quiet words as she looked down at her own muddy boots.
“I’m sorry.” Paul said with honest regret. “It’s my own fault. He tried to get me to come with him but I had to prove myself and get as far away from him as I could.” Alitta confessed her own folly.
Composing herself, the professor looked up to see where their walk had brought them. They stood before a dark tunnel only five foot high with a torch hanging in a ring to either side of it.
“I’ve something that I think you’d like to see.” Paul said picking up one of the torches. Pulling forth a lighter, he lit the torch and then led the way after slipping the Bic back into his pants pocket.
None of this was missed by Alitta as she continued to formulate a plan of escape in her head. Holding her hand, the teacher led Alitta through the low ceilinged tunnel for nearly an hour until they reached an area where the top of the tunnel steadily rose up into the darkness above.
“This is an old fissure that the diggers found by accident.” he told her moving slowly as the tunnel widened to where two mules could easily walk side by side.
They followed the fissure floor for more than a mile. Over which time the ceiling came down close several times before climbing back up into the blackness.
Paul finally stopped near some large chunks of rocks strewn on the fissure floor. Before them stood a dark opening and her guide told her to be prepared to be amazed before leading her inside.
Alitta’s heart nearly stopped as she looked at the chiseled glyphs on the surrounding cavern walls all about her. It was the same culture that her father had been working on as she recognized it from the black and white photo that he had sent her. It was from his old thirty-five millimeter Kodak camera that he’d had for nearly twenty years.
She let her fingertips run over the closest ones as Paul explained that originally Sabio’s hidden compound was an old copper mine. “They must have followed along the fissure getting the exposed vein of copper. Then stopped one they’d broken through to this hidden chamber.” he theorized “Only a few of the hieroglyphs have been destroyed upon their entry.”
“This is the true reason that Sabio has you here.” Alitta stated and he just nodded then added. “Teaching him and Franchesca’s sons is just a side job.” He said with a forced grin.
The paleontologist took the torch from him then slowly walked along the walls as her eyes ran over the unknown language that had been carved so long ago.
“This is old.” Alitta whispered continuing to look at the carved pictographs before her.
“What do they say?” Paul asked almost strained as she was working her way around towards him. “How old are you saying here, one…two thousand years old?” “I’d say much older, but without carbon dating it too hard to tell. Did you find anything else here that could be checked?” “No. Whatever the copper miners didn’t take, Sabio’s men did.”
Alitta had taken note that the stone wall had been broken out and not in but didn’t mention it. Looking at the bones of a man in the middle of the floor, she noticed that the clothing did not decay away. She raised an eyebrow at her guide in question. “I’m told it’s the previous person unable to interpret the hieroglyphs for Sabio.” came his somber response.
“Then I guess you and I will have to just figure them out or we’ll end up sharing the same fate.” Alitta told him with a smile handing him back the torch.
They didn’t speak on the way back to the main cavern. To their surprise, Sabio was standing there waiting upon their return. “Showing her your pet project?” the leader of the banditos asked cockily looking Alitta up and down.
“I thought that my Franchesca gave you a pretty dress to wear? No matter my Lolita Bonita. You look good in anything eh?”
“And you Senior?” he said to Paul with a hint of anger in his tone. “Did you find out what I’ve asked of you yet?” he asked with his hand rested on his pistol grip threateningly. Four guards stood nearby holding rifles and led them back to their rooms to get ready for dinner.
“Wear it.” Sabio ordered flinging her into her room and tossing the dress at her that Franchesca delivered the night before.
Alitta fought back the tears that his rough grip on her arm had caused. The professor ignored her own pain as she stripped down and put on the low-cut dress with slam and bolting of her door still ringing in her ears. No matter the small bit of freedom which she was afforded, Alitta was still a prisoner.
If she were to survive this, then she would have to be more compliant, at least a little bit anyway. She took another fifteen minutes so that the puffiness was gone from around her eyes. This afforded her the time to fortify her resolve until a knock at the door alerted of a visitor.
Calling out like a reigning queen, she ordered “Come.” to the occupant in the hallway allowing them access into
her personal little prison.
Two of Sabio’s men stood gawking at her as Alitta strode over to them prepared to fight at all costs. “Move idiot.” Alitta said with a flip of her hand not bothering to slow her walk. They probably had been prepared to give intimidation of their own and were unprepared for this new lack of demure attitude.
The two of them stepped aside quickly almost bowing before hurrying to catch up and show her the way to the largest building that was obviously where the feast was being held.
Lights and music echoed in the cavern as revelers had a great time. Alitta made her way for the party ignoring the chatter of the bandits and the lustful looks sent her way as she remembered what Paul had told her. “None of them will touch you as Sabio has ordered else he will personally take care of them.” Alitta’s hips swayed with assurance as she crossed through the main entrance into the hall where the festival was being held.
*****
Sabio sat upon his chair like a King on his throne with Queen Franchesca beside him. All the while his subjects groveled and scrapped out of respect and fear as each tried to get his attention and upstage the last to win the king of the mountains attention.
As lovely as Franchesca was and willing to please him, his eyes kept looking towards the door of the hall. Sabio kept the conversation lite until his eyes feel onto the incredible little figure that reminded him so much of his own love when she was younger.
Not that Franchesca was that old, in fact she was twelve years younger than he but the toll of bearing his children had taken their toll on her body.
Finally she arrived and the music and laughter died down to a low roar as the pretty young American entered. The king was enthralled at her site and found it difficult to even tear his eyes away from her as she stood framed by the doorway looking about the room like a queen over her subjects.
Alitta was so unlike his unofficial wife Franchesca as she had an air of confidence and arrogance one only found in aristocrats. It was at this point that one of his underlings foolishly copped a feel as she passed sending a lewd remark her way about willingness to take seconds, thirds or even fourths after his leader’s performance.
Dinosaur Dreams (Indian Trail's Book 1) Page 2