by Donna Cain
“No,” He thought. He couldn’t die in this rig like his father had! He saw Shasta’s face in his mind and willed himself to scream.
“Sheriff, help!”
Sheriff Buchanon was at the side of the Cat in a flash. “What is it? Are you hurt?” He yelled.
Darren had put the engine in park, but was helpless to move any more. He gathered his strength and yelled out the window, “I can’t move. My arms, my hands, they aren’t moving. And I’m falling! Help me! I’m falling into the pit!” In Darren’s mind, he was still tipping forward into an unending abyss.
Don had too much experience at being efficient in a crisis. By the time he had jumped up to the cab of the Cat, he had already called for the others to help. He had yanked the door of the cab open by the time they made it to the rig. He had pulled Darren’s solid body out of the cab by the time they had figured out what was happening.
Deputy Clay got underneath the sheriff as he reached for Darren’s weight. Hunter could see what was happening and moved forward to help Michael carry the young man away from the site. Eli grabbed Darren’s legs as they passed, dragging on the ground. Together, the three of them got Darren to the Blazer and lay him down in the back of the truck.
Val was at Shasta’s side, “What is it? Are you in pain? What’s wrong, Honey?”
Shasta couldn’t speak. She didn’t know what was happening to her. She couldn’t explain it. She had an undeniable feeling of falling, but she could clearly see that she was still safely on the couch.
“Shasta!” Bug said firmly. “Tell us what’s wrong right now!”
Shasta started moving her lips, trying to form words that would make sense. She thought she had a sentence and then it would escape her thoughts again. She closed her eyes and concentrated. She could feel the panic in the room.
“F, fall…falling,” she managed. “I f,feel like I’m f,falling.”
Valerie looked at Lara and Ann for help. With one a Neonatal nurse and the other a Physician’s Assistant, surely they would know what to make of this. Ann stepped forward and grabbed Shasta’s wrist to take her pulse. Lara seemed to freeze. The others thought she was most likely remembering Heather’s death.
“Her pulse is racing,” Ann said. “Shasta, Honey, look at me. Let me see your pupils. Okay, fine. Steady your breathing. Are you in pain?”
“No, no pain.” Shasta was beginning to recover from the episode, but was no less confused. “I just had a real feeling that I was falling forward. It was almost like when you have a dream, and something wakes you up at the last second. Do you know that feeling?”
“She’s still acting super weird,” said Bug. “What’s wrong with her?” Bug was going through her card catalog brain looking for anything remotely connected with a sensation of falling.
“I don’t know, Bug,” her mother answered. “Her pulse is slowing a bit, though. I think she’s getting over whatever that was.”
Clara was startled at the scene. She had a strange feeling when Shasta cried out. Clara instantly thought that it had something to do with Darren. “Shas? Did you see anything when you felt like you were falling?” she asked.
Shasta squinted her eyes together trying to clear her head and remember. “I feel like there was something, but I can’t remember what it was.”
“Keep trying,” said Clara. “It may be important.”
Agnes walked over to Clara then and asked, “What are you thinking of, Missy? You have an idea. What is it?”
It was Clara’s turn to stumble. “I, I just had a feeling when Shasta screamed.”
Agnes looked at her. “What kind of feeling, Clara?”
All of the eyes in the room were on her. Clara felt hot and uncomfortable. She wished she hadn’t said anything. She thought she would just make something up because what she was thinking was a little far-fetched.
Bug spoke for her, though. “You thought something happened to Darren, didn’t you?” Bug asked Shasta.
Shasta’s eyes got wide. “Yes, I did! I remember I was falling forward and I saw dirt. A lot of dirt.” Shasta was getting worked up again because of the recollection.
Valerie put an arm around her daughter to steady her once more. “Calm down, Shas. It was just a weird little dream. I’m sure Darren is fine.”
Shasta looked at Bug, and Bug looked at Clara. They were all thinking the same thing. Bug said, “It might not be a dream. Twins have this thing where they can feel what the other one feels. Maybe Darren and Shasta are connected like that. Maybe they can feel when the other one is in danger.”
Bug was obviously not thinking of Agnes’s feelings. If she had, she might not have said that in front of Darren’s mother. The look on her face was one of horror. “I’m going out there,” Agnes said and rushed to the door.
“I’ll drive,” yelled Clara, running after her.
Feeling came back into Darren’s arms and hands as soon as he was lying in the back of the Blazer. His sensation of falling was fading. The curse had certainly taken its time getting to him, but then it packed a wallop.
He was exhausted. He was too tired even to sit up. Being far away from the safe was better, but the damage had been done. Sheriff Buchanon was not about to let him anywhere near the dig.
“We’ll have to do the rest with shovels,” he said. “Darren, don’t you move from that spot. Are we clear?”
Darren nodded his head with effort. He wasn’t going anywhere.
The band of four retrieved the shovels and went toward the pit. Hunter stopped at the top of the ramp to look inside the cab of the Catepillar. He knew how to drive a stick shift. He didn’t think it looked much different. He thought if he played with it a minute he could get the hang of it.
“Hey, Sheriff! You mind if I give this thing a go? It doesn’t look too hard.” Hunter was standing at the door to the cab.
Sheriff Buchanon thought for a second then said, “Ten minutes! Go ask Darren for a few pointers and then you’ve got ten minutes. After that, you’re digging with us! We can’t afford to waste time! That thing’s getting to all of us!” With that, he jogged down into the pit with the others.
Clara drove like a mad woman all the way to the woods. They were there in record time, pulling up to Bill and Mark in the Hamilton’s car.
Rolling down the window, Clara told the men, “We’re going in as far as we can. Shasta had some kind of weird vision; we think something’s happened.”
Bill spoke up first. “No way, young lady. You’re not going anywhere near that site. What’s happened with Shasta?”
Just then his phone rang. It was Valerie. Snatching it up, he said, “Val! What’s going on with Shasta?”
On the way to the site, Agnes and Clara had discussed the possibility of meeting with resistance. They had decided that since Agnes hadn’t been around the artifact, she would distract the men so Clara could drive on through. Clara looked at Agnes and said quietly, “I’ll be as fast as I can getting back with news.”
Agnes winked at her and said, “Be careful.” She got out of the VW and walked over to Mark’s car. Clara took the opportunity to throw the car into first gear and take off down the gravel road. She heard shouts behind her but she didn’t stop. The VW Bug was bouncing all over the gravel. It was barely staying on the path.
Clara was exhilarated. She didn’t need to stay at home waiting for her man to come save the day. The VW hit a low spot on the road forcing Clara to hold tight to the steering wheel. She wasn’t sure how far her car would make it down the path, but she was determined to get to Hunter.
Deciphering the instructions from Darren had been difficult. He was so weak. Hunter thought Darren was more affected than they realized. He didn’t seem to be getting any better. Hunter knew time was not on their side. He bolted from Darren to the Cat and climbed up into the cab.
It smelled earthy and musty in there. There were pictures of Agnes and Darren taped to the dash. It made Hunter sad to look at them. He turned the key and the engine came alive. Remembering the instruct
ions from Darren was easy – putting them into action was a little harder.
Hunter found the clutch and the gas pedals. Then he played with the controls for the bucket. Up, down, tilt, left and right. He repeated those several times. When it came time to actually move the bulldozer forward, there was an awful screech from the motor. He had obviously done something wrong.
Looking out the front of the cab, he could see the other three shoveling dirt. The sheriff looked a little panicked and Hunter knew Eli felt horrible. Deputy Clay’s shirt sleeve was covered with the blood that he continuously wiped away from his nose.
“I’ve got to get this,” Hunter said to himself. He felt the responsibility sitting heavily on his shoulders. He spit more stomach acid out of the window. His stomach cramps were all but natural to him by this time. Pulling together all of his concentration, he moved the controls and the Cat crept slowly forward. Hunter practiced a scoop with the bucket. He got some earth and backed up the rig. Repeating this a few times, he seemed to get a little more efficient.
“Hunter!” Sheriff Buchanon yelled from below. “Have you got that thing under control?” He had been watching Hunter’s progress as he shoveled. He had given him more than the ten minutes because he could see that Eli and Michael weren’t going to be able to shovel for very long, and it looked like Hunter might be able to work the rig.
“I think I’ve got it,” replied Hunter. “You all get out of there and let me try!”
The three vacated the hole and watched as Hunter guided the rig shakily down into the pit. He scooped a small amount of earth, but on his way back up he lost control of the bucket and dropped the load onto the ramp. Cursing to himself he tried again. He did better that time and better, still, the next load.
Sheriff Buchanon said a silent prayer as he watched Hunter improve. He didn’t want to let on, but he was really worried now. Eli had mentioned a couple of times how strange it was that it was getting dark so early in the day. The Sheriff looked at the dappled sunlight shining through the woods. He looked back at Eli. The boy was squinting at the bulldozer. Sheriff Buchanon wanted him out of there.
“Hey, Eli!” He called to the boy. Eli came jogging over ready to help.
“Yeah, Sheriff?” He squinted up at the sheriff with a questioning look.
“Go back there and keep an eye on Darren for me, would you? I don’t feel right leaving him alone.” He thought that was better than saying, “You look like hell, and I think you should get far away from that rock.”
“Sure, but what about shoveling?” Eli was determined to help put that thing into the ground.
“I’ll call you if we need you. Right now, I’m more concerned about Darren. Go on now.” Sheriff Buchanon felt relief as he watched the boy leave the site.
Eli trotted back to the Blazer and Sheriff Buchanon turned his attention to Deputy Clay. “How’re you holding up, Michael?” He asked.
“Reckon I’m fine. Just that sickly feeling and this dang blasted nose bleed,” Michael said. “How much longer you think this’ll take?”
Sheriff Buchanon looked back at Hunter on the rig. He was getting better with each pass but still a far cry from Darren’s expertise. Maybe another hour until the hole would be deep enough. Would that be too long? The spots in front of his eyes were sparkling bright blue.
Clara was making good time on the path. Her little VW was just light enough that it felt as if she were on an ATV. She had left the gravel path some six miles behind her. The dirt one she was on now was easy compared to the gravel. The path that the convoy had left was easy to find. The tire tracks from all the heavy vehicles stretched out before her like a beacon.
“I’m coming, Hunter,” she said to herself inside the empty car. “I waited too long to get you to lose you now.”
Shasta had been frantic after Clara and Bug’s theory had been revealed. She was convinced now that something horrible had happened to Darren. She knew their connection was strong. She had no trouble believing it was possible for her to sense that he was in trouble.
Val and Ann had calmed her down as much as possible. Val had learned from Bill that Clara was on her way down the path to find the site of the dig. Shasta seemed to settle down a little after hearing that. Help was on its way. She didn’t know exactly what Clara could do, but maybe she could get him out of there and back to safety.
The room had taken on a stressful quiet. Bug had retreated to one of the chairs by the window. She looked small and frightened as she gazed outside. Her mind was frantically working – willing someone to come back.
Margy Buchanon was sitting with Lara. They were holding hands and looking somber. Communication wasn’t necessary. Everyone in the room was thinking the same thing.
Come back safely…
“Stop!” Shouted Sheriff Buchanon. He was sure about twenty minutes ago that Hunter had hit twelve feet down, but he had wanted him to go a little farther for peace of mind. Now he was positive – it was time to bury the safe.
Hunter backed up the ramp, cut the engine and hopped out of the cab. He bent over to spit then asked, “Are we there? Is that it, Sheriff?” Hunter was pumped. He had gotten into the rhythm of the work. The repetition of the controls had made it easy for him to improve steadily and, forty minutes later, they were finished.
Eli had heard the shouts and run back to see what was happening. He got to the dig just in time to see Sheriff Buchanon struggling with the safe. He seemed to be stumbling. Eli could tell that it was getting darker outside, but he could see well enough to help. He ran over to the Sheriff and relieved him of the load.
“Let me take it, Sheriff. I’ll get it down there,” he said. As the weight of the safe transferred over to him he felt a shift in the earth, like a bump, and his knees buckled. He recovered quickly and started down the ramp with the safe.
Sheriff Buchanon didn’t argue when Eli took the safe from him. The flashing blue lights were assaulting him with fierce brightness. A sharp pain had started over his left eye. He watched as Eli walked down the ramp with the safe. The scene had a strobe-like quality. “Bury that son of a bitch,” he thought.
Hunter was still standing on top of the bulldozer. He watched as Eli took the safe from the sheriff and started down into the pit. “Go,go,go…,” he chanted in his mind.
Eli was back quickly, sauntering up the ramp as if he had just gone for a Saturday afternoon stroll. He had a peculiar look on his face. Hunter was about to yell down to him when they all heard something. It was the engine of a car. Hunter looked back the way they had come and saw Clara’s bright yellow VW Bug tearing toward them, a puff of dust stirring up in her wake.
“What the…,” Hunter began.
Sheriff Buchanon walked crookedly back down the path to the Blazer. Clara had just parked the VW and was getting out. Hunter jumped down from the cab and jogged over, too.
“Well, hello guys,” she said coming over to plant a kiss on Hunter’s cheek. “We thought you could use a little girl power.”
The sheriff had no intention of refusing help. Actually, he was pretty happy to see her. He was alarmed at how quickly the situation was deteriorating.
“We sure could, Clara. Darren’s in the back of the Blazer. He needs to get out of here. I want Eli to go, too. Can you do that for me please?” He blinked continuously now, trying to clear his vision.
“Eli?” Hunter said. “Why Eli, what’s wrong?”
Sheriff Buchanon looked at Hunter and said, “I’m just a little worried about his head. I’d let you go too, but we have to get the slab into place with the dozer.”
“I’m fine,” Hunter said as he spit once more. “And good luck getting Eli to go. He wants to see this end as much as I do.”
Hunter looked at Clara then, proud that his girlfriend could return the favor he owed Darren. “Take Darren out of here, we won’t be long.” With that he walked over and slipped an arm around Clara’s waist. Pulling her to him, he kissed her cheek gently, then looked at her and said, “I’ll se
e you soon.”
Clara was overjoyed at Hunter’s reaction to seeing her there. She was ready to do whatever he said. She followed the sheriff to the Blazer and helped with the doors as he and Hunter lifted Darren out and got him settled in the VW.
Hunter winked at her and sauntered back to the Caterpillar. Sheriff Buchanon said, “Thank you, Clara. And please tell everyone that we’re alright and we’re almost finished.” With that, he wobbled back to the dump truck.
When he got to the truck, he saw Deputy Clay in the driver’s side. Michael started the engine and leaned out the window.
“Am I good to go, Don?” He yelled down.
Sheriff Buchanon was happy that Michael had taken over the job. His vision was worse than ever. “You’re in line, Mike. Let her go!”
The dump truck made a series of grunts and squeals as the load started to tip. The gravel and sand mixture trickled out slowly until the bed was far enough that the whole load seemed to fall at once with a mighty “Whoosh.” The back flap slammed against the truck three or four times, banging loudly.
Eli felt like crying. Standing beside Hunter, he felt more tired than he had in all of his sixteen years. He had aged a lifetime. He understood exactly what Professor Monroe had felt.
Hunter knew what his best friend was feeling. He felt it too. He clapped Eli on the back and said, “It’s almost over, Bud. Let me put the cap on this thing.”
Hunter jumped back up into the cab of the bulldozer and started it up again. He maneuvered the Cat over to pick up the concrete slab. Gently, he got it balanced on top of the bucket and slowly made his way over to the site. He rolled over the gravel and sand mixture to pack it then positioned the slab on top of the hole. He slowly lowered the bucket and rolled the Cat backward until the concrete slid off with a solid thump.
The Rock of Varuupi was entombed.
The four of them looked at each other. No one was smiling; there were no jumps of joy. This had taken a toll on them all. They only wanted to go home.