The Legend of Green Eyes
Chapter Ten
**I don't own a thing, dang it. These characters belong to Mrs. Meyer.** (I sometimes forget to post the disclaimer)
Forgive me because I may be taking a few liberties in regards to Sequoyah Caverns. It's been eons since I've been there and I know you can mine your own quartz, but for the purposes here, it's forbidden. I also apologize for not putting the H on the end of the name in the previous chaps. Oops!
I normally don't post lyrics with my story (yeah, I know this is the second time I'm doing it), but I couldn't help myself because I love this song and Jane's Addiction. I imagine the crew jamming out to this on the way back home to Chattanooga.
I've been caught stealing;
once when I was 5...
I enjoy stealing.
It's just as simple as that.
Well, it's just a simple fact.
When I want something, and
I don't want to pay for it.
I walk right through the door.
Walk right through the door.
Hey all right! If I get by, it's mine.
Mine all mine!
Jane's Addiction—"Been Caught Stealing"
Dr. Cullen had procured our spelunking equipment and we scheduled to go caving on a Saturday night. Friday didn't work due to classes and jobs and Saturday was perfect because if we took a little longer than expected, Sunday was normally a slow day for the caverns. We could probably duck out of there relatively unseen. The four of us (Dr. Cullen, Alice, Jasper and me) met informally the Wednesday before to go over the general plan. We didn't want to be in the caves longer than necessary and hoped to be a well-oiled theft machine by the time we had to do the deed.
It was rather humorous when Alice first laid eyes on Dr. Cullen. I swear she was going to spontaneously combust. Hee! She had heard about his hotness, but never beheld it firsthand. I just had to smirk when her jaw unhinged and drool nearly escaped from her mouth. Yes, Ph.D. stands for Piercingly Hot Dude. I can't blame her since that was my first reaction to seeing the intelligent Banana Republic model look-alike firsthand. Smarts plus hotness equals lethal. I can't imagine how his wife Esme ever lets him out of the house. She's a lucky lady indeed. Ah, enough of my internal drooling and Alice's quite literal drooling. Jasper takes it in stride, being the cool laid back guy he is. Heck, he could be in his own Banana Republic ad. The two of them in the same room should be illegal. Ah, Alice is a lucky lady as well.
We meet up outside Dr. Cullen's home at 10 p.m. on Saturday; he prefers that we try to keep our ordeal out of the eyes of the school so we didn't meet on campus. He lives in a beautiful white colonial with a wraparound porch just north of town and we briefly meet his very pregnant wife, but not his daughter Tanya since she's safely tucked in bed at this hour. I do have to say that Esme is even more stunning in person and so sweet to boot. It seems not fair to have looks and personality. Oh well. Dr C. deserves the best and she's a sweetheart. After exchanging greetings and laughing about our expedition, she says she plans on retiring to bed herself. I imagine it's not easy being pregnant with twins. She informs that her first pregnancy was relatively smooth, but that this one is draining the energy out of her and she swears she's getting her tubes tied immediately after giving birth.
We congregate at Dr. Cullen's black Range Rover in his three-car garage and double check that we have all the equipment we need on our expedition. Alice bought us all pairs of rain boots and dry-weave socks earlier this week so we're already outfitted for warm toes for the damp cave. Additionally, we're all dressed in warm layers of fleece, flannel and sturdy denim. Alice selflessly gave up her fashion sensibility due to the cold, damp environment in which we will lurk. I snap a picture of her with my cell phone to commemorate the 'flying pigs' moment.
"Enjoy it now Miss Swan because it will never happen again," she snorts as she rolls her big brown eyes.
The doc rented hardhats with lamps, knee-pads, ropes, slings, bolts, climbing harnesses and hand-held radios. I'm amazed at how much paraphernalia this quest requires. I hope he didn't have to spend too much money on this stuff. I'm starting to feel a little guilty. Jasper and Carlisle load the bags, including a first-aid kit, in the back of the SUV and we pile in and buckle up. What we're about to do finally starts to sink in and my breathing speeds up.
It's a nice cool night as we drive on Highway 27 and merge onto I-24, but my nerves don't mimic the peaceful atmosphere. There is so much riding on our mission tonight. What if we can't find what we need? What if we can't extract the quartz? What if one of us gets hurt? What if we get caught? What if… what if…
"Bells, what's up? You seem on the verge of a panic attack," Alice asks beside me in the backseat.
I didn't want to sit up front with Dr. Cullen and let Alice and Jasper sit together in the back. It would feel too double date-ish and that would just feel wrong and tempt my mind to go to wrong places. I made the excuse that I wanted to chat with Alice on the way and since our legs are shorter, the backseat make more sense for us.
I stare down at the dark gray leather upholstery and pick at the piped trim.
"I was thinking about how much depends on tonight and all these 'what-ifs' that won't stop circling in my brain. What if tonight is a major fail?" I also express the other what if scenarios that run in my head.
"You're going to give yourself a heart attack if you don't stop. Just take a moment and breathe. Let's not worry until we have something to worry about. You're such a worrywart. I need to break you of that." Alice then nudges her elbow into my side to break me out of my tense reverie.
"I know. I know." I stare out the window and focus on the lines on the road and the hum of the truck in an attempt to calm.
Jasper and Dr. Cullen chatter to each other from the front with Alice piping in and I pretty much stay into my own little world in the back right corner. Jasper and the professor talk of possibly joining a Civil War reenactment group and Jasper jokes that he can actually show 'em how it's done since he was there firsthand. Alice asks if she can don a pretty hoop-skirt dress and bat her eyelashes from the sidelines. Jasper informs her that she can do that after the battle with an evil smirk. She mumbles something to me about how hot he'll look in a uniform. Tell me about it. I've seen my hot Green Eyes in all his uniformed glory and if possible, he's going to keep that outfit handy after we get him in our world. Rawr!
We merge onto I-59 and I tense again. This is the last interstate change before we get to our destination. I ponder on what we have to do after this. Do we have to find something else? Will Dr. Cullen get a vision telling us what to do with the quartz? We're sort of flying blind and taking it one step at a time. I have a feeling, as does Dr. C., this isn't the only thing we will have to scavenge. I wish this whole process could hurry up and be over. Ah, such wishful thinking.
We see the signs for the Caverns and Carlisle makes the decision to park a few streets over from the main entrance. Parking right up front obviously is a red flag, and not to mention it would draw the attention of the overnight security guards. It will be a pain to lug all this crap, but it will be worth it none the less in the long run.
We reach the edge of the rear of the grounds and lob our bags of gear over the tall fence. The guys climb over the fence first and then Alice and I join with Jasper helping us down as we descend the chain-link barrier. Dr. Cullen has a map of the grounds and leads us to the mouth of the caves. I can't believe we are actually doing this. Dr. C. breaks out his compass and we get to business. I do have to say that he is one prepared man.
We tote our supplies at a brisk pace for about two miles before coming to the entrance of the cave. Jasper apparently did some research on the site and casually informs us that there may be bats in the caves. I let out a sharp gasp and he starts laughing. What! I'm so glad someone decided to tell me this right as we're about to go in there. What about rabies? As we approach the mouth of the cave, I take in the rust-colored gate with a bat symbol adorning the front and center. How cute. Is Bruce Wayne here? I also eye the heavy padlock that we somehow will have to quietly remove and replace. I still can't believe the night security people haven't noticed us. Do they have security cameras?
"Does anyone know if they have security cameras in the cave or on the grounds?" I ask in a hushed whisper.
"No. No security cameras. I imagine that there isn't a need for them since most people don't break into caves in the middle of the night," Dr. Cullen responds with a smile in his voice. "I did a good bit of research once I found out we would need to come here. A week ago I brought Esme and Tanya for the public tour to get a sense of the surroundings and scope out any problems we would potentially have getting in. It was funny playing the innocent sight-seeing family when I knew that in a short while I would be breaking and entering. I also made sure to check out the type of padlock used on the gate. Unfortunately, we may have to break it, but I brought equipment that will hopefully pry it open without damaging the lock. We want to leave this place exactly how we found it. Does everyone understand how important that is?" His voice got very stern over those last two sentences.
My heart starts to pound like a hammer in my chest. I swear it's going to jump out as I watch Dr. Cullen and Jasper work pliers and other heavy-duty utensils on the lock. We've got to get in, but I don't want to enter. It's too late now, but that doesn't prevent me from a silent freak out. The cave staff only takes visitors about a half mile in for tours and that makes up around one-fourth of the total cave span. We have to go about three miles in before we can start hunting down the quartz. Dr. Cullen informs that we may have to go deeper and may have to repel down vertical shafts. Ugh. Did I mention that I have a mild fear of heights and a small bout of claustrophobia?
Bang! Bang! Bang! Thwack! Thwack! The lock is finally pounded open with minimal damage. That was so loud. I just know we are going to get caught. However, we should be able to click it back in place without obvious signs of a break-in. By the time anyone would notice something amiss with the lock, we'll be long gone from this place. Dr. Cullen pushes open the iron barred door with a loud creak. We march in single file with me bringing up the rear and the professor gently closes the gate without locking it. With his compass and cave schematic, we head into the cool fissures and my heart rate spikes as I take in my surroundings.
We all don our hardhats with lamps attached to the front and quietly walk in deeper. Everyone seems so focused and I assume it is because no one wants to distract the doc and accidentally get us lost in this underground maze. Even the normally chatty Alice is soundless during this leg of our trek.
The caves are so beautifully raw with the glinting russet stalagmites, stalactites and columns amongst the wild moist rock formations. If our mission wasn't so serious with time being of the essence, I would love to just wonder at the beautiful earth designs. The walls almost glow from the light off our headgear and the light fixtures attached to the walls. We pass the beautiful looking-glass ponds cordoned off by railings and now we finally reach the end of where the public is allowed.
"Now it's time for the main event my friends," Carlisle chuckles out. "Let's get this show on the road." We all giggle in response at not just his joking, but to release a bit of the thick tension.
We slowly trod in and the change in the air is immediate. It's much cooler, damper and darker in this solitary sector. The main part of the cave is lit with low-light fixtures scattered about, but now we're truly on our own. Thank God for the headlamps. Carlisle must have been a boy scout in his old life. As we continue, our fearless leader leaves 'crumbs' in the form of bright green Post-It notes so ensure that we don't get lost on our way back. At some points we have to duck down to our knees to get through and other times we have to all out crawl on all fours to navigate the passages. Hooray for gloves and knee-pads! I try to not let my mind wander to how far in we are because I know if I dwell on that, I'll have a breakdown. You are not claustrophobic. You are not claustrophobic.
After our meandering that seems to take forever, the walls are suddenly wide and open and there is a great chasm on the far wall. It's time to utilize our rope, bolts and harness.
The guys drill in the bolts that our rope will be anchored to and I'm slowly freaking again. Tethering down into an unknown abyss is not my idea of a good time. People get trapped and die while caving. Man, I'm insane. Everyone with me tonight is insane. Breathe in, breathe out. Think calm, happy thoughts. Oh my, the bolts, slings, and rope are secured. It's do or die time.
Carlisle offers to go first since he seems to be the one who actually knows what he's doing and secures himself in the harness. Jasper points the huge flashlight downward to get a better idea of what we will be diving into and we espy a handsome glittering green expanse of stones. This is what we have come to take! We're so close; I can't believe it.
"There it all is—what we've come this far to steal," says Carlisle. "Double check the rope, will ya Jasper? Okay, here goes nothing!"
We watch in awe as he descends slowly down the opening and lands atop the green sparkles. Jasper now takes his turn flying down, then Alice and then me.
"Wow! I can't believe this. This is amazing. It's so bright and dazzling. We should take some extra as a souvenir. Alice, you could have a nice ring or bracelet made."
"I like how you think woman," she responds as we ogle our surroundings with mouths agape.
There is definitely something magical about this place. It's an aura; something you just can't place your finger on. It's other-worldly. I can almost taste it.
Jasper pipes up, "Okay, girlies, let's get what we came to get." He pulls out a large pick axe and several smaller ones out of the heavy dark blue utility bag and we get to work.
"We need to get a chunk that is at least 5 inches in diameter. Don't forget that. The vision was specific in what it told and we don't need to take any risks with this," Carlisle reminds us. "Let's get this right the first time because I'm not coming back here. Be gentle so that you don't chip or break what you pry off. We need this stuff to be in as good as shape as possible. It's almost midnight. Let's get cracking."
Sounds of clinking and hammering rise around as we quietly work. This stuff is really stuck in here. Goodness! This is such a pain to dig out. I let out a few grunts before asking Alice for assistance.
"Hey, Ali, can you help me here a bit?"
"No prob chica."
"Errrr… ughhh… grrrr… oooh!" we groan together and we tag team the quartz. "Whoo! We've got some!"
There are more shouts of hallelujah, hurrah and yeah as we get the hang of it and mine up more green. I can't believe I'm actually getting sweaty despite how cold it is down here. Whew.
Carlisle calls us together to check out our quarry and seems satisfied.
"Let's blow this popsicle stand, ladies and gent," Carlisle exalts energetically. I can see the tension fall off of him as now he knows he will be that much closer to his dream.
I pull myself up to the opening first, then Carlisle and Jasper. Alice wanted to grab a little more quartz at the last minute and goes last. We're all relieved that this trek is almost over and we don't pay close attention to Alice's rope.
"Guys! The rope is breaking! It's unraveling! Help! I'm going to fall back down!" she screams and tears fall down her cheeks as her breathing speeds up. She's in near panic attack mode.
How on Earth is the rope breaking under the weight of the smallest person in our group? She plummets atop the green crystals with a thud, lying supine, and it knocks the wind out of her. Thankfully, the heavy burlap sack at her back cushions the fall a bit.
"Don't worry! We'll get you!" I yell back.
We're all starting to panic, especially Jasper.
"Don't worry sweetheart. We'll do whatever to get you up. I don't care what it takes."
He then asks, "Carlisle, where is the extra rope? I know we only have the one harness, but we can have her knot the end, stand on it, and pull her up that way."
We all start rifling through the bags retrieving anything that might help our rescue and I procure the sturdiest rope in our arsenal. Jasper ties a few knots towards the end winds it around a large boulder to prevent slipping adding knots to the opposite end. He tosses the rope down and it just barely reaches Alice.
"Ali, sweetheart, have you been lifting weights and eating your Wheaties? The three of us are going to hold and pull the rope, but we need you to grab and climb high enough to lock your feet over the first knot so you'll be more secure. Sling your bag across your back and keep the harness on. We can't leave anything behind. Okay?"
She warbles out a weak, "Okay" in response.
She rises to her tip toes, stretches her arm up and fingers as far as they will go. She can bat the end of the rope with her fingertips.
"Can you bring it any lower? I just need a little bit more and I think I can get a good hold on it."
We maneuver the rope around the boulder letting as much as we can out without losing our anchor and she grabs it! Even if she can't get her feet to the knot, we can have her hold on as tight as possible by her hands and pull. In an amazing act of adrenaline and strength, she hoists herself up and gets her feet atop the loop and we start yanking upward. She's almost completely out of the whole and we let out a collective huff of air. Once she's out we go crazy hugging her and in Jasper's case, kissing her with a passion that might set Alabama on fire.
Once we settle down, we check that all of our equipment is accounted for and we tuck what we don't need safely away in our rucksacks and begin retracing our steps courtesy of Carlisle's Post-Its, grabbing them as we go. I feel the collective 'ahhh' as we enter the lighted part and we know freedom is just around the corner. Right outside the mouth, at the gate, we double check our belongings and Carlisle closes the gate and fashions the lock back in place the best he can. It closes with a loud groan and we hear a deep male voice yell, "Who's out there?"
"Come on! Let's move it!" I whisper out and we run on pure adrenaline; we bee-line it to the chain-link fence and hurriedly toss our bags over. Carlisle lopes over first, then Alice (she refuses to go last now), me and lastly Jasper. As we high-tail it to the car, we continue to hear the security guard's voice calling out. With speed I didn't know we possessed, the bags get tossed in the back and we jump in our seats and buckle up.
"Oh my! I can't believe we just did that!" I blurt out in an excited heavy breath to no one in particular.
"That was the most insane, exciting, and dangerous thing I've ever done," Alice croons. "Let's never do anything like that again. As thrilling as it was, I have no desire to be stuck in a cave pit."
We're all flushed in excitement and we start to calm down as the adrenaline ebbs. Jasper and Alice are cuddled up on the backseat (he won't let her more than a foot away from him now) and I fling my head back and go limp against the front passenger seat. We stay quiet for a good twenty minutes before bringing up what to do with the stones.
"Dr. Cullen, do you want to keep hold of the largest chunks of stone?" I ask exhausted.
"Bella, I think you can call me Carlisle now," he laughs out. "Sure, yeah, I'll keep it in my house safe."
"I'll call you Carlisle, but not in class. That would be too weird for me."
"Bella, I really appreciate you and your friends doing this. I don't think I've stressed that enough. It really means the world to Esme and our family. You truly didn't have to do any of it. So, thanks again."
"Does this mean I get an A in your class?" I giggle.
"Don't push your luck Miss Swan," he retorts with a grin. "But at this point, you'd have to really work at it to get a bad grade."
It's after two in the morning when we get back to the dorm. Jasper asks if he can stay over and I tell him, 'sure' since I know there will no funny business from which I would have to shelter my ears from. I think he's now glued himself to her side. I guess near-death experiences will do that to you.
They curl up in a lump together and quickly fall asleep evidenced by their light snores, but my mind is wired, running a million miles a minute. I think about what we need to do next and if Carlisle will get another vision. We really don't know what to do with the quartz now that we have it. We have to wait and see and it drives me crazy. Patience is not one of my stronger suits. The area we got the quartz seemed to have an ethereal feel. Is it my imagination or is there magic there? I guess I have to believe in magic now that I've met a ghost and former ghost who wants to stay human. I can't wait to tell Edward that we actually got it and are that much closer to breaking the curse. My heart goes aflutter at this thought.
My lids grow heavy and I sigh. This has been the longest day of my life. I fall into a hard dreamless sleep.
AN: The caving outfits and such are linked on my profile. Also, join us on Twilighted (link also on profile).
My recommendation this week is Stranger than Fiction by MasenVixen. Their story has one of the best Alices and a really cool Bella. Edward also falls out of a tree while spying! It's here on FFn.
Reviews=love. Can I make it to 100 reviews? What will the crew have to do next? What do you think Carlisle's next vision will be?