Chapter 14

Sitting on a blanket, Ellie and the Sully family enjoyed the sunshine. It was decided that a picnic would be a good way to spend the day. They had attended church that morning and the afternoon was free to spend as they wished . Katie had been bugging her parents for weeks to go on a picnic so Sully and Michaela decided this would be a good day for it. It would give Ellie the opportunity to see more of the countryside.

The sun peeked warmly through the leaves of the surrounding trees. They had finished eating the fried chicken that Grace had given them and were now just lounging about. Sully and Brian had gone a little ways off to throw tomahawks and look for herbs that Michaela needed at the clinic. Katie had asked Ellie to play tag with her. Michaela sat comfortably on the blanket with a text book in her lap. The joyous squeals of her daughter made her look up from the black and white on the page to the scene of color and life around her. Ellie was chasing Katie around the little grove in an attempt to tag her. Michaela couldn't help but smile as she saw Ellie pretended to be too slow to catch the little girl. Then to Katie's utter surprise, Ellie sprang into action and swept Katie up in her arms and twirled her around. A loud cry of laughter bounced off the tree trunks. Michaela watched Ellie set her daughter back on her feet just as Sully and Brian came through the trees.

"Someone's enjoying themselves." Sully said.

"Papa! Did you see? Did you see Ellie twirl me?!" Katie had run over to him with excitement clearly etched on her face.

"Sure did." Sully said as he placed his hand on her head.

"Can we do it again?" Katie asked turning back to Ellie.

Michaela jumped in, "Honey, Ellie might be tired."

Katie drew her eyebrows together and turning to Ellie asked, "Are you?"

Ellie bit her lip and smiled, "Well, how about if we play it again later?"

"Alright." Satisfied Katie went and sat next to her mother.

"There are some caves just a few minutes from here. Ellie might like to see them." Sully suggested.

"Oh, yeah! They're really pretty." Brian turned to Ellie, "Do you want to see them?"

Ellie's love for exploring bubbled as she responded, "Sure!"

"You want to come ma?"

"No, I think I'll just stay here with Katie."

"Pa?"

"No, but you two have fun." Sully said.

They set off toward the caves.

Sully turned to his wife, "Ellie's really good with Katie."

"Yes, she is." Sully sat down on the blanket next to his wife and taking her hand, placed his lips against her skin.

"She's a special young woman. I think we'll miss her when she leaves." He kissed Michaela's neck as he continued, "I know Katie will miss her." Michaela gave a soft sigh in response. Sully kissed her cheek, "I bet Brian will miss her too!" He leaned in to set his lips against hers but she pulled away.

"Sully!"

"What? Don't you think she's a nice girl?"

"Yes, but..."

"Brian's old enough to have a girl."

"But she's a few years older then him."

"It's not that much of difference though."

Michaela sighed and smiled at him, "I know. I just...well, if she leaves to play the piano in different cities…....I don't want Brian to get hurt."

Sully said knowingly, "Or is it that you don't want him to leave ?"

Michaela raised her eyes and said with a smirk, "Maybe both."

"Well, you never know. We won't worry about it right now. I don't even know if he likes her like that. But they do get along well."

Michaela didn't answer. Sully finished what he had started and kissed her soundly. They then returned their attention to Katie who was apparently digging for buried treasure under a nearby tree.

"This is it." Brian said as they came up on a large opening in the rocks. Brian had brought a lantern and proceeded to light it. Ellie looked at the large, dark opening and tried not to let it dissuade her from entering.

Brian began to enter the cave and turning around to Ellie said, "Come on."

"What's inside?"

"A little ways on it opens up into a big cavern with all kinds of amazing stalactites and stalagmites. It's great!" Brian saw her hesitation and sought to assure her, "It's alright. I've got the light and there isn't a lot of tunnels so we won't get lost. I've been here lots of times. I promise it's worth it!"

Brian extended his hand to her and Ellie took it. Smiling she said enthusiastically, "I wouldn't miss it!" She followed him inside against her better judgment. Her interest was peaked and she was eager to see what wonders the cave held. She stuck close to Brian and took comfort from the feel of his hand as it clasped her fingers. As they made their way through the cave tunnel. They headed gradually downward. The space narrowed and the two had to break their hand hold and enter single file. Ellie kept her eyes on the light in Brian's hand and forced herself to focus on it instead of the walls that grazed her arms on either side. After coming through the small passageway the cave opened up into a magnificent cathedral. The ceiling rose far above their heads. Rock formations that had grown over thousands of years hung from the ceiling. The light reflected off the surfaces of the rock icicles to reveal their natural sparkle and brown, green, and purple hues. The lanterns light couldn't reach the far walls of the chamber but what the light was able to capture took Ellie's breath away. "Wow…"

Brian turned to Ellie and enjoyed the look of utter astonishment on her face. He watched the lamp light reflect in her wide eyes. "Do you like it?"

"I…it's….I've never seen anything like it before! It's wonderful!"

"Yeah, I thought you'd like it!"

They walked around the cavern for a little while. Ellie made sure she stayed within the realm of the light. There was a slight draft of air.

"Where's the breeze coming from?" Ellie asked.

"There's another opening further on." Brian answered. The air suddenly swirled around the cavern and the lantern light was swept away. Ellie gasped as the surprise of absolute darkness engulfed her. Her breath quickened. She put out her arms and tried to feel for the wall. Her fingers found the caves side and she put her back against it, willing herself to remain calm. It felt like the darkness was pressing her against the cold wall. She couldn't move.

"Ellie you there?" Brian asked as he tried to locate her by putting out his arms. He didn't hear her answer but he soon bumped his arm into her. "Ellie?" Again she didn't answer him. He felt her arm against him and reached for her hand. He felt her squeeze it tightly. He could hear her rattling, unsteady breath. In a terrified voice he heard her gasp, "Br…Brian?!"

"I'm here. It's alright. We just need to follow the wall out. Come on, hang on to me."

Ellie didn't move at first. Brian tugged on her hand gently "Come on. Just follow me. It'll be fine."

In an airy and choked voice she breath, "OK." She got her feet to move and she held on to Brian's hand tightly as they made their way forward. Brian was worried about her. He was sure she was having another asthma attack. He held her hand and with his other hand felt along the wall and began to walk back the way they had come. When they got to the narrow passage he said, "It get's narrow here remember? So, put your hand on my shoulder and follow me alright?" He tried to calm her with his even and steady voice. Ellie did as she was told but the tightness in her chest was growing. She felt like the darkness was crushing her. She shuddered as she felt the walls on either side of her brush her arms. Ellie felt like the air around her was thick, and hot.

Brian felt Ellie's shaking hand on his shoulder. He heard her breathing quicken and become sharp. "Ellie we're almost there I promise."

Panic swelled inside of her and she put her hand against the moist wall of the cave and pushed against it trying to get away from it. In between gasps she responded, "Have….to…get out!... Please…it hurts…" Her voice trailed away as she inhaled wheezily.

"We're almost there. Hang on Ellie." Brian's voice held a tone of pleading. He had heard the desperation and panic in her voice. As they came out of the narrow tunnel he grabbed her hand again and wrapped his arm around her shoulders pulling her up the slight slope to the opening. The light from outside hit them as he led her out. Ellie tried to relax as the sunshine surrounded her and the fresh air hit her face but her mind felt clouded and she couldn't rid herself of the panicked feeling that had engulfed her. Brian looked at her flushed face and saw her body slouch with weakness. He knew he needed to fetch his mother. "You're gonna be alight. I'm gonna go get my ma alright?" Brain didn't want to leave her but he knew she wasn't in any condition to walk back. She didn't speak but gave him a nod of the head as she continued her struggle to breath properly.

Brian said, "I'll be right back, I promise." She nodded again and gave him a forced half smile as she took a noisy, disjointed gulp of air. Ellie put her hand out against a tree to steady herself as she saw Brian take off running. She felt her legs sink underneath her. She began to cough violently as her body slumped to the ground. Her throat was burning. She tried desperately to catch her breath.

"MA! Ma! Come quick!" Brian came to a sliding halt as he came upon his family sitting on the picnic blanket.

Michaela looked up concernedly, "Brian, what is it? Where's Ellie?"

Brian said, "She can't breath. She's having an attack…at the cave."

Michaela jumped up grabbing her medical bag. Sully picked up Katie and they followed Brian back down the path as fast as they could.