Town Secrets (The Book of Adam 1)

by Scott Gelowitz

  Looking ahead he noticed an opening straight above the doorway, halfway up the tall wall in front of him. He wondered how anyone would be able to reach it, and decided there must be a way from the other side. It must be for ventilation of some kind.

  At the bottom near the doorway, Adam touched the wall again and was instructed to continue through. The others followed, and after walking down a short hallway Adam came out in another cave. It was high, as high as the ceiling on the other side of the hallway they had just come through. It was shaped like a ‘V’ with the top much wider than the bottom, but not at enough of an angle to be able to climb the walls. There was a doorway straight ahead, so Adam walked toward it.

  A few paces from the door Adam felt his foot sink an inch followed by a click. Next, he heard loud noises in front of him and behind. Huge rocks closed off both doorways.

  Uh-oh, he thought.

  Another loud click echoed in the cave, followed by the sound of rushing water. It sounded like a dam bursting in the movies, but loud in the echo of the chamber. In seconds the water was waist deep and rising fast.

  “What do we do?” the guard yelled in a panic.

  “I...I don’t know,” Adam yelled in reply. “I think we should just let it fill up…”

  They were quickly treading water, but the water seemed different. It was easy to stay floating at the surface, unlike regular water that took some effort.

  The guard looked stressed, but Larix was still wearing a smile.

  “I hate this,” said the guard. “This is my worst fear.”

  “Relax,” said Larix. “There will be a way out. Our friend here will figure it out.”

  Adam looked around. The Lumiens on the ceiling lit the chamber dimly, but as it reached half full, Adam saw a landing at the top that wasn’t visible from lower down.

  “Look,” he said to the guard, hoping to calm him down. The guard saw it and swam so he could get on the landing once the water level rose enough.

  Adam and Larix swam toward the landing as well, but the guard scrambled onto it before they could get there. He seemed relieved to be standing on something solid.

  The water level rose slower, and Adam made it to the landing. When he touched it, instructions filled his mind again.

  The moment the instruction was done, he snapped out of it and shouted “Stop!”

  The guard, being relieved to be on solid ground, had gone to lean against the back wall for a break. Instead of leaning on solid rock, he fell through the wall. It was another illusion. Again, Adam heard only a short scream and then silence. At least it was quick.

  Larix pulled himself up on the landing, feet still in the water. He was smiling. “I should have brought more Commons with me. They’re great entertainment,” he exclaimed, laughing a horrible laugh.

  “So, my little guide, we are going to have to be a lot more careful with you from now on…what do we do next?”

  Adam was still trying to get over how easily Larix brushed off the death that just happened.

  “If what I saw is right, this isn’t normal water. We’re supposed to be able to breathe in this water,” said Adam.

  Larix just nodded, like he wasn’t surprised.

  “We swim down to the doorway that we should have walked through. It’s open now. Then, we swim for a long way until it goes up. Past that, I don’t know.

  Larix nodded and dived into the water, like a teenager at a pool. His head popped out a few seconds later.

  “Elianora didn’t know that I’ve done this before,” he said in a soothing voice, although it wasn’t soothing to Adam. “I used to have a phobia about water, but that was long ago. Now, I am as natural in it as a fish.”

  Adam couldn’t help but notice the similarity between Jeff’s speeches and the one Larix had just given.

  “Hold on to the landing and lower yourself into the water as far as you can,” said Larix. “Exhale all of the air from your lungs and inhale fast and deep. The less air you have in your lungs and the faster you inhale, the less likely you are to cough.”

  Adam wasn’t sure how much he could trust Larix, but realized that Larix needed him alive. He lowered himself as far as he could, exhaling all the way, but he was afraid to take the water into his lungs. It went against every instinct he had, but because he exhaled on the way down he needed to take a breath soon.

  It was excruciating trying to override everything he had learned about being in water his entire life. His logical brain fought against his subconscious, and so far the subconscious was winning. He felt himself getting dizzy from lack of oxygen, and in that moment his subconscious gave up just enough that he was able to open his mouth and suck in some water.

  It immediately burned all the way into his lungs. He tried to cough but couldn’t because his entire airway was full. The rush of water and oxygen began to clear his dizziness and he was able to exhale and inhale again. He was breathing the water, and it felt wrong, but yet it felt good.

  Larix appeared in front of him, a large grin on his face. He had been watching Adam struggle with water breathing and enjoyed every second. After he realized there wouldn’t be any more struggling, he pointed in the direction of the doorway.

  Adam swam down. It wasn’t as difficult to swim down as he thought it would be, probably because he had no air in his lungs so it made him sink easier. There were pockets of Lumiens all over the walls now, leading him deeper and deeper, and finally to the doorway. He would much rather have walked to the doorway than swam.

  The doorway led to a long narrow hallway, dimly lit all along. Adam bumped his hands on the walls numerous times as he swam through. He didn’t glance back at Larix; he had no doubt Larix was still behind, enjoying himself all the way.

  There had to be a way to beat Larix. He was arrogant, that was true, but for his age he didn’t seem to have much wisdom. He was quite full of himself, almost in the same way as Jeff Wyndum. Maybe that was something he could use.

  The hallway turned upward and Adam swam into the wall because it was so sudden. After he recovered, he saw a ladder built into the wall so someone could climb if the entire thing wasn’t filled with water.

  Adam kicked and swam upward. At first he couldn’t see anything but the scattered spots of Lumiens on the walls, but slowly he saw what he thought was the end of the water. When he was sure, he swam faster, and soon his head broke out of the water.

  The first breath he tried to take didn’t work too well. He had realized he still had lungs full of water a little too late. He exhaled and tried to inhale again, but it only brought on intense full-body coughing. He fought to climb out as he coughed the water from his lungs, ending up on all fours, heaving heavily.

  Larix popped up beside him, breathing out a large amount of water and laughing.

  “The first time’s always the worst,” he said. “You needed to exhale as hard as possible again before taking the first breath of air. I forgot to mention that.” He laughed while Adam coughed, enjoying the show. “Hurry it up, we don’t have all day.”

  Adam coughed with all his strength and struggled to his feet.

  “You have some spirit,” said Larix. “I’ve seen countless other Commons who would have lost their minds just at the thought of breathing water, let alone the confined spaces. Those that would have made it this far would still be shuddering in fright at the waters edge, but here you are, standing and ready to move on. I like you. I may keep you.”

  The thought was no comfort to Adam. He struggled to push it from his mind and keep on the task at hand. There will be a way to trap Larix somehow, he kept telling himself, using it as motivation to continue.

  He wiped his eyes and looked around. They had surfaced in another cave, dimly lit in the same way as the other ones. It was a large cave, although only a quarter the size of the first one, about the size of a hockey rink. In the middle was an island surrounded by a deep pit with no visible way to cross. The island was small, only 10 feet wide at most. In the middle of the island sto
od a pillar.

  Adam decided to walk around and find another trigger. When he reached the edge of the pit, blue green fire roared up around the island. The moment he took a step back it stopped.

  “That rules out extending a ladder across,” Larix laughed.

  Adam barely heard the comment as he was intent on finding a trigger. Finally, he touched a spot on the right side wall that showed him a short series of images. He wasn’t happy with what he saw.

  “It’s impossible,” he said to Larix. “I have to land the Impression Stone in a little hole on top of that pillar,” said Adam, pointing. The pillar was at least three times the distance as the button was from the hack in a game of Kurling.

  “Obviously it isn’t impossible. How do you intend to do it?” asked Larix, sounding like a teacher forcing a student to come up with an answer they already knew.

  “I don’t know. I can’t make that shot. I thought you might have an idea,” said Adam.

  Larix sighed after a deep breath. “You Commons don’t see what’s right in front of you. Don’t you remember what I told you about the Impression Stone?” he asked.

  “Just that it’s rare and doesn’t lose its information when it hits the ground.”

  “Not just the information, it doesn’t lose its connection. You can throw that pebble a hundred times and still pull it back for another try. I may not be able to connect with them, but I understand how they work.”

  Adam remembered hearing Larix talk about the Impression Stones, but only then fully realized what he meant.

  “Well, go on,” said Larix.

  Adam fished the Impression Stone out of his pocket. He stepped toward the edge of the pit, but not so close that he would set off the fire. Strangely, he could still feel the connection to the Impression Stone as he held it.

  His first throw was terrible and completely missed the target, but when he concentrated and pulled the pebble back, it landed in his hand fast enough to sting, surprising him.

  The second throw was much closer as he remembered that he had control over the pebble and could change its direction in the air. The Impression Stone changed direction much easier than any of the Kurling stones he had thrown.

  The third throw hit the mark, although slightly to the side. It fell off the pillar nearly a foot before Adam pulled it back.

  The fourth throw was textbook. It landed flat on top of the pillar, and Adam had enough control over it to not only stop it on the pillar, but slide it back slightly and drop it in the small hole. The pillar rose up a few feet, and a loud clanging sound bounced around the cave. Up from the depths rose a narrow bridge leading to the island.

  “Well done! You are a natural,” said Larix. “Now, scurry over there and bring me my prize.”

  Adam felt as though he was a rat in a maze getting cheese for the entertainment of its master.

  “You’re not coming with me?” asked Adam.

  “You don’t get to my age by taking stupid risks,” said Larix. “That’s why I brought you. I just wish I had brought a few more Commons.” He spit out the last word.

  Adam stepped to the bridge, making sure the flames didn’t flare up as he reached the edge. When he was somewhat satisfied he might not be burned alive, he took cautious steps across.

  Feeling relieved, he stepped onto the island and looked at the pillar that was now standing taller than himself. He couldn’t see anything unusual about it so he touched it, hoping it would trigger more information.

  Nothing.

  Adam continued to look around. Nothing stood out, and no instructions, came to mind. He walked around, touching things and trying to find a trigger, but nothing happened.

  “What’s taking so long?” Larix called to Adam.

  “I can’t figure out where it’s hidden.”

  Adam saw that Larix was getting upset, even across the bridge.

  “I honestly thought you were smarter than that,” Larix called back, obviously frustrated. “but I can’t wait anymore. Take that lapel pin from your pocket and place it on top of the pillar. The pillar will drop away and you will find a small drawstring bag in the hole.”

  Adam was shocked. “How do you know that?” he asked.

  Larix laughed, and it was frightening. “Elianora told me exactly what protection she had built here. Didn’t you realize that I’ve known about each of the traps the entire time?” he laughed again.

  Adam couldn’t believe it. Larix had sent the first guard across the bridge, fully realizing the guard would fall to his death. The thought sickened Adam.

  He dug the pin from his pocket and placed it on top of the pillar. The pillar slowly dropped until it stopped a foot below the surface of the island. At the same time, the bridge dropped away and the blue flames returned, hiding Adam from Larix’s view.

  Adam looked into the hole made by the pillar sinking. Tucked away in a little hollow was a drawstring bag.

  As Adam reached for the bag, another instruction triggered in his mind.

  The instruction was different from all the others. It was short, and to the point, but seemed to be poorly done, like looking at a child’s drawing compared the Mona Lisa.

  The instruction was clear, though. Connect with the stone in the bag.

  CHAPTER THIRTY

  The blue-green flames roared around the island, providing enough cover so that Adam could take his time. He reached in and pulled out the bag, then untied the elaborate knot in the drawstring.

  Opening the bag, he pulled out the stone and looked at it. It was beautiful. It was a deep red color, and although it wasn’t transparent, it had depth while seeming to shimmer. It wasn’t large, just big enough to fit comfortably in the palm of his hand.

  Then Adam remembered the instruction. Connect with the stone. He cupped it in his hands and brought it to his forehead but was nervous to start. The stories of its power made him worry that connecting with it might not be a good idea, but the instruction he received told him otherwise, and so far it hadn’t been wrong. He took a deep breath and concentrated on making a connection.

  Into the stone he fell, but not as far as he was expecting. He reached the center and once again floated limbless inside. Instead of a book, a small scroll came forward, filled with writing. Once it was close enough, Adam read:

  To whoever is connected with this stone: this is not the Heartstone you are looking for, it is a copy. The real Heartstone has been taken away without the knowledge of Elianora or any others in the Sentinel League, in the hopes of keeping it safe.

  We know our locations have been compromised. Elianora was unwilling to believe, so we have taken over.

  A strange symbol appeared at the bottom of the scroll before Adam was thrown back to reality.

  Larix is not going to be happy, he thought.

  He put the copy of the Heartstone back into the bag and tied it up as it was before. He thought for a moment, formulating a plan. Once again it relied on luck more than skill, as his plan was basically to run.

  “Have you found it yet?” yelled Larix over the roar of the flames.

  “Yeah, I just have to get the bridge back,” Adam shouted in reply.

  He grabbed the pin and the pillar rose again. The flames died, and the bridge came back once more.

  I have to get out of here, thought Adam.

  He walked across the bridge, watching Larix beaming with joy on the other side. Adam knew his joy would be short-lived when he figured it out.

  “My prize. It’s been away for too long,” said Larix, reaching his hands out toward Adam.

  Hoping to buy some time, Adam threw the bag against the far wall and ran for the hole they swam out of initially.

  Larix laughed as he sauntered over to the bag. “Run, boy, run. I don’t need you anymore.”

  Adam exhaled as hard as he could and dived into the water. He inhaled, and that time had no trouble breathing the water right away.

  He was nearly at the bottom when a scream sounded through the water, audible even as f
ar down as he had already swam. The sound of it scared him, and he swam as fast as he was able, hoping he didn’t waste time finding the exit in the next room.

  He felt a pressure wave hit the water. Larix is chasing me, and he’s angry! Swim!

  His legs and arms ached from the effort. His hands knocked the walls again and again, but the fear in him hid the pain. Once he was through the doorway, he swam up toward the landing they had been at before. Seeing the edge of the water ahead, he took in a deep breath of water, popped his head out and exhaled with all the power he had in his chest. The first breath of air burned all the way down, but he fought the instinct to cough and grabbed the landing.

  As he touched the landing he triggered another image. On the far wall was a hidden platform and exit.

  Adam pushed off and swam as fast as he could manage. As soon as he reached the wall he felt for the hidden platform. He found it exactly where the image in his mind showed it to be, then climbed out of the water and ran through the connected zigzag passageway.

  He stopped at the exit. It led to the room with the high ceiling and long stairwell. It had been filled halfway with water. Adam realized he was standing in the opening he had seen above the doorway into the chamber.

  He dove into the water and swam for the stairs, staying above the water as he didn’t want to go through the change from breathing liquid back to air again.

  As he reached the stairs, he heard a familiar yell behind him.

  “Get back here now, you filthy Common bug! Bring me my prize,” Larix screamed in an unrecognizable accent, almost hysterical.

  Adam ran up the stairs, not stopping. There was no way he was going back to Larix. Fear filled and fuelled him.

  “You have it, don’t you?” Larix screamed as he came through the same opening Adam had just left. “All of you planned to give me that trinket just to laugh at me. I’ll show you!”

  Adam kept climbing, his legs burning, but once again adrenaline was carrying a lot of the load. Soon he made it to the top of the stairs and ran down the long hallway.

  Back at the large cave, Adam ran to the right. As he approached, he saw how the entire bridge was visible from that direction. He ran over the bridge and sped up when he neared the trapdoor area. He flew over the trapdoor then slowed his pace on the other side, and soon he was at the base of the bridge, his side in pain from all the effort.