I always wanted to see all of the national parks. Mount Rushmore was on that list of parks to visit. But, with my extremely busy schedule of missions, I only visited Yellowstone, Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. That only meant I had at least 60 more places to go.

Ben, Riley, Abigail, and Patrick were scattered on the wooden stairway as we waited for Mitch to show up. I snapped some pictures of the memorial to add to my electronic scrapbook. My ears twitched to heavy footsteps. I turned around to see Mitch climbing up with his men and Emily in tow. Riley whistled the signal to Ben. Just as Mitch was about to surprise us, Ben turned around to face him.

"Hello, Mitch."

He pressed a gun into Emily's side.

"Mom..."

A bunch of kids pushed past us.

"Wait for me."

"No way. You're too slow."

Wish I was that carefree, but I don't have the luxury.

"I knew you'd figure out the message I gave your father."

"The hummingbird was good. Let her go."

"We're the ones with the firepower, and you're giving me orders?"

Yes. Yes, he is.

"I kidnapped the president."

I did, too! But no one ever picks me at times like these!

"The FBI is on their way right now to arrest me, and I'm sure they'll love to meet you. They'll find us both and arrest us both. That path doesn't lead to the City of Gold, does it?"

"This man has information you need. He's got a letter-" began Emily.

"Sent from Queen Victoria to General Albert Pike."

"How do you know that?"

"I read about it, in a book."

So did I. Well, more like listened, but still!

"I'm afraid he's burned it."

Great. Just great. Now we HAVE to pair up with this lunatic.

"All right... You've had me do all the work so far, why stop now? You tell me what you know, I'll find the City of Gold, prove Thomas Gates' innocence, you can have the treasure."

Uh, Ben?

"What?"

Really, Riley? Must you act so oblivious?

"I'm going with you. But if anyone's gonna be credited for discovering the City of Gold, it's going to be me."

"But your partners stay here, and all the guns."

Good idea. If he'll ever agree.

"What makes you think I'd agree?"

"Because you need that treasure. Believe me, I know."

Mitch thought for a moment about his options and what Ben said.

"All right, Gates. We'll do it your way. But believe me... I don't need the guns."

He handed off the ones on himself to his men and followed Ben up. I lingered in the back, listening to Emily and Patrick whispering.

"Which president? The president?"

"I thought it best not to tell you."

I shook my head. We arrived at the lake behind the monument. My body shivered at the memories of my traversing to the area. My ears could still hear the shrill winds, the battle cries, and the victory cheers. My hands clenched and unclenched frequently from worry and uncertainty. My pace slowed and quickened as I wandered.

"Calm yourself."

Firelight! How can I when we're so close to finding Cibola and it may fall into the wrong hands?

"Everything will be fine. Just have faith."

That's what everyone tells me. It only feels like a burden or some unnecessary words.

"I still don't see anything that looks like a noble bird."

Uh, Abigail? The people who lived here didn't make it THAT easy!

"All right, Mitch. Let's have it. What did the letter say? What's the clue from Queen Victoria's letter?"

"'The entrance shall only be revealed under a cloudless rain.' Figure that one out."

"So we come back when it's raining?"

I covered up my giggle.

"'Cloudless.' Could simply mean the sun. You need a sunny day... and rain. We need water."

Ben opened his bag and pulled out a water bottle. Unscrewing the top, he poured out the liquid on the rock. It began to darken as seconds passed. He tossed a water bottle to Abigail. I pulled mine out of my bag and did the same.

"Abigail. Everybody, the water makes the rocks darker. Use the water."

"Em? Water?"

"What's this in my hand? Are you blind?"

"Good, good, good."

We watered as much as we could around the large rock. I stayed as far away as I could from the switch.

"This is ridiculous. Are we going to water the whole thing?"

At the rate we're going, you bet!

I glanced at everyone to notice Abigail heading to the next step.

"That's it. Oh! That's it. I found it. Over here! Found it! Over here!"

We hurried over to where Abigail discovered the switch to open the gateway.

"Look at this! It's an eagle."

Yes it is, Abigail. I can clearly see an eagle etched into the stone. You didn't have to point it out like we don't have a head or something!

"Look at that. There it is."

"It's an eagle."

"'The noble bird...'"

"'Will give you passage.'"

"Uh-huh. Now what?"

And that's when everyone started talking at once. I closed my eyes and saw the past when the land was flourishing with wildlife and people in harmony. I could see Firelight on a stallion and leading his troops back home to Cibola. I finally opened my eyes to reality and saw nothing.

"You can stand around guessing for a while, or I can give you the next clue."

We turned around to face Mitch.

"'Surrender your hand to the heart of the warrior.'"

"And the eagle is a symbol of the warrior."

Ben was the closest to the latch so he began to put his hand in between the stones.

"Ben, no. Wait, wait!"

He pulled back his hand.

"No. That's probably a horrible trap. Tell him!"

"It's a horrible trap."

Yeah right, Patrick.

"It would be a pity to come this far and not even try, now, wouldn't it?"

"I'll do it, Ben."

"It's OK. Surrender your hand."

Ben put his hand in very slowly. Suddenly, he began to scream. I jolted a little from the surprise. It died down into laughter. I shook my head in disappointment.

"I am sorry. I... I couldn't resist."

"You!"

Abigail hit him on the arm. I muffled a giggle that dared to come out.

"It, uh... feels like a latch."

Click!

The rocks concealing the entrance trembled and began to tumble into the lake. I knew I didn't have much time left to work with if I wanted things to go the right way. We climbed down the pile of rock and entered the cave. Chatter and laughter filled the space, causing me to turn my head constantly to see who it was. But I soon realized that it was the people of the past stuck in their moments of history. A hand rested on my shoulder and I jerked at the touch.

"You're here in the present, remember?"

"I'll try, Ben. I'll try."

I brought myself back to reality.

"Oh! Ben, look at this. Oh, beautiful! Patrick. Patrick!" Emily admired.

I had to admit that I had a soft spot for ancient cultures. It's nothing like the things we made. They remained constant while our generations keep borrowing things from other times and vamp them up. I get the willies just imagining those horrible clothes from whenever in the stores. But in any case, ancient cultures have a very rich history that I love so much.

"Ben, what is that?" Abigail asked.

"Appears to be a counterweight to hold the door open."

Yes it does, Ben. Can we not dwell on it anymore?

"What is that sound?"

Riley moved away to explore on his own. I didn't want him to do that in fear of what would happen next.

"Fascinating."

Sure enough, Riley did what I hoped he wouldn't do: touch the very old rope that would break instantly. Everyone ducked for cover from the possible falling rocks above. Patrick hurried to the stone door to see if he could hold it open, but it was too late. The last piece fell in place, sealing us inside the cavern.

"It's locked."

"Patrick, what have you done?"

"Some kind of a bolt. I didn't do it."

Thanks to Mr. Really-Curious-Tech-Savvy-Dude, we were stuck in a really-big-chances dangerous tunnel.

"Only one way out of here now."

We all looked at Mitch.

"Forward."

I looked ahead to see what would be next. These were not idiotic people; they were some of the most intelligent members of a rich society. We walked on through what we could see of the tunnels.

Sum Regente Deo. Sum Regente Deo. Sum Regente Deo.

I repeated the mantra in my mind to keep it clear and focused and hopeful that we would be okay. I listened to the sounds of the past while trying to stay in the present.

"Never seen so many relics. So beautifully preserved."

We can admire later, Emily. Right now, we need to get out of here.

"Looks like we're going to be moving some rocks," Mitch asserted. "There's a tunnel back in through here."

Really, Mitch? I didn't know that!

"Guys, look at this. It's a little golden man. Look. It's got a tiny little torso. Look at that. It looks like..."

Riley! Don't touch it!

Too late. Everyone except Patrick and Emily moved to the platform that would send to someplace underground. I headed out into the same direction with my whip in hand. Ben was about to slip off so I cracked the whip to get it to wrap around his arm. I pulled him up as best as I could.

"Move back! Move back! All of you! Other side! Back up! Back up! Riley, move forward! Move forward! No, back up, back up."

"What you want me to do?" Riley asked, confused.

"Stop! Stop! We have to balance our weight to even this thing out."

We each shifted to our respected corners. Well, all but me; I stayed in the center on my butt like I did in Pre-K for story time. I couldn't do anything without facing consequences. Mitch peeked down the appearing "bottomless pit."

"There's nothing. Just a big old black hole."

Abigail moved her flashlight around to see a way out. She stopped as soon as she saw a broken, ratty ladder.

"Ben, look! There's a ladder. I mean, what's left of a ladder."

"Toss me the light. Riley. Move slowly to that corner. No! Wait. Just... as I move to this corner. One step at a time. Good. If we can raise this corner, I think I'll reach it."

Mitch moved quickly. I remained in my center seat as best as I could. It's hard when one corner decides to take a dip.

"Stop! Red light!"

"You're not helping!"

"I can get up there just as easy as you," Mitch pointed out.

"Just stop."

"It's three against one here."

Aren't you forgetting someone here!?Yeesh! Why is it so easy for you guys to forget about me?

"I ain't going last, and if I'm not going last, I might as well go first. What's it gonna be?"

Ben stood for a moment, thinking.

"We'll do this your way. The rest of us, on my count of three, all move together."

I got up and traveled to where everyone was gathering.

"One step at a time. One, two, three."

Mitch reached up for the ladder as we raised him up.

"You ready?"

"Go."

We rushed to the center as Mitch held on for dear life. He climbed up as quickly as he could. One of the steps broke, but he continued on up until he reached a ledge. He disappeared from sight.

"Mitch, what do you see? Is there a way out? What's up there, Mitch?"

And still nothing came from him. My chest caved in for a split second.

Alex, was that a-

"Yes, Esther. It was a warning sensation. Keep a very close eye on Mitch."

"Mitch! Come on!"

Oh, stop complaining, Riley.

"I've been doing the math here, and..."

"I know."

You would think they were dramatic enough in that moment.

"We're gonna have to leave one person behind."

Why do I get the feeling we're all going to make it out of here if I am the last one out?

"Promise you'll come back for me. I can do the math too."

"That's very comforting Riley," I answered.

"That makes you next," Ben concluded, looking at Abigail.

"I'll go last. 'No, we'll figure something else out.' 'We need you there. Please, Riley.'"

We all looked at Riley.

"I'm just kidding. Go."

"OK..."

Abigail made her way to the ladder as we moved back to lift her up. She threw her lantern to the ledge and grabbed the bottom step of the ladder.

"One... two... three!"

"Go!"

We moved to the center as Abigail hung on for dear life. All of a sudden, the platform began to split. I almost lost my footing as I tried to make sense of what was going on.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

This is what happens when you're in a very old cavern: all of the original traps become more dangerous than planned. And the reason being is because the original materials used are tattered and rotten so badly that you're more than likely to fall to the bottom of the pit. Not fun at all. Abigail tried swinging to the ledge, but was unsuccessful.

"I can't get it."

Just then, Mitch came out to grab Abigail's wrist before she swung back too far. I was standing with Ben as Riley was on the opposite side.

"Just go! Go now! Go! All right, ready? Now!"

Riley jumped up to the ladder and climbed up as best as he can. Ben looked at me.

"You're up."

"Not enough time. I can get up there on my own just fine, thanks."

"Riley! Hang on!"

The platform creaked even more and I got worried more and more by the minute.

"How are you getting up there?"

"I can climb up without a ladder, thank you!"

"Okay, Ben! We found a gold idol here! We can roll it over to offset your weight!"

"Then roll it!"

A heavy gold cylinder was pushed to the ledge where everyone else was waiting. I looked at Ben and gave him a nod. Running to the wall, my hand grasped the whip on my side and cracked it to a higher part of the ladder not reached.

"Here it comes!"

I swung towards the wall to push away for more momentum as I tried climbing and reaching for the ledge.

"Come on, Ben!"

"Here! Give me your hand!"

Ben was pulled up a bit by Riley.

"Thanks, Riley."

"Why couldn't a girl see me do that?"

"A girl did! Down here, people!"

They looked at me as I kept on swinging, waiting for someone to catch me. Mitch opened his arms and I landed right in them. I pulled away and undid the whip on the ladder.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

Literally or figuratively?

"You all right?" Mitch asked Riley.

"You're OK. You're OK. You're OK."

I looked on at my favorite little couple. My face beamed with pride at the rekindling of their relationship.

"So... forward."

And forward we went. We crawled between uncut boulders that left hardly any room for walking. It wasn't long before we reached a room filled with running water. People were screeching and crying out with laughter as the pain ripped in my heart.

"I can't see anything! Is this it?"

Ben dipped his fingers into a tiny well on the side to notice the substance on his fingers to be black.

"It's oil!"

He slung off his backpack and reached in to pull out a flare. He lit one well and then the other one on the opposite side. The oil lit up quickly and went off in the course directed by the crafted troughs. We spread out to look for a way to the surface or even Cibola, but we couldn't see one. That is, no one else but me could see it as the spirits dived down to where I noticed a current flowing down.

"It's a dead end! There's no way out! We have to turn back! There's no forward!"

Clear observation, Abigail.

"It's not forward, it's down! All this water has to go out somewhere. Otherwise, it'd be filled up."

Ben looked around for a pattern that would indicate a way out. He finally saw where the water was coming from and the wheel dead center in the room. He began to walk to it and everyone followed.

"Help me turn this wheel!"

Everyone but me pushed. I looked around for anything I could do. Some rocks in the corners looked large enough to cover the gateways once the doors were down. I pushed 2 of the ones I could see and move to different gateways.

"The water's going down."

"Well then, let's follow it!" I pointed out obviously.

We hurried on down the tunnel and back up to where something shining blinded me a little. I was the last one up and saw, in all its radiant glory, Cibola. I closed my eyes briefly, then opened them to see the people I visited sitting on the steps. Firelight was standing by the altar in the center of the city with a proud smile on his face. He bowed his head to me in respect, as did everyone else. I walked down a couple of steps, going ahead of the group.

"Little Star! Hurry here so that you may see your story imprinted on our city! Here, on the pillars by the altar!"

I hurried into the water and swam over to the altar, filled with curiosity and frenzy.

"Dad! We found it!"

I looked up to see Patrick and Emily at another entrance.

"Thomas was right!"

"No, you were right!"

I was so excited that almost rammed my head into the gold stairs. I looked up and quickly made my way up. I reached the top, breathless and anticipating. I looked at the pillars to see the encounter, the arrival, the feast, the battle, the departure and a written account in Olmec, all in elegant pictographs. I thought it was impossible for me to be a part of history.

"Somehow you were, Little Star. But this is the great myth to our people: the visitation of White Little Star, as you came in white clothes. You stopped a raging war and brought peace to our people in one day. You left on your stallion to the wherever the wind would take you. This is the greatest, untold myth of our culture to any outsider."

Firelight, I just don't understand. Never have I been able to change history in some way!

"It could have been an ancestor of yours that visited us. Nevertheless, you did a wonderful thing for us, and to thank you, we created four engravings in your honor."

I just stood there, staring at the images depicted. It was a strange thing to be seeing. Stranger to be comprehending, but I let the matter go as I knew and believed I did what I always strive for: harmony and negotiation.

"Sweetheart. Sweetheart. Have a look at this."

"What?"

"Look. This is gonna unlock the Olmec language. It's gonna give us incredible insight into pre-Columbian history."

Emily looked like she was going to cry. Actually, as I looked at her, she was.

"Em? You happy?"

"Oh, yeah."

Ben just came up the steps.

"Ben! Look at this! Look!"

"Oh, yeah. That's where they slit the throat, cut the heart out."

He walked over to me and looked at the picture of a woman on a stallion on a hill with a ray of sun upon her head.

"Is that-"

I nodded.

"I just don't know how it's possible, Ben. But I wish I did."

My chest caved in.

No. Not now. Not when I FINALLY figured out the truth!

"What was that?"

"Listen."

It didn't take long for the water to burst through the boulder walls surrounding the City of Gold. Everyone hurried to the center to discuss a plan.

"I tried to find a way out. All those portals are blocked off!"

"I'm telling you, all this water goes out somewhere. We'll find it."

"Ben, there's a current!"

The escape route! I remember finding it during the feast!

"Follow it! There's got to be a central drain!"

"It's under us. Right here!" Patrick informed us.

We all rushed to the bottom to the rising water. I headed into the escape route first, knowing exactly where it was without using a flashlight.

"The water's rising too fast!"

Gee! I didn't know that there was so much water in here!

"Let's get that door open so we don't all drown!"

Ben and Mitch went to the device and began to push on either side. The door began to open and the water flowed out.

"Ben, it slopes down! It's a drainage tunnel. But it fills with water when you open the door!" Patrick observed.

"We need to find something to stick under it to keep it open!" Abigail suggested.

"No, if it's open, this tunnel will stay flooded! We've got to get to the other side and close the door!"

"Patrick, Emily, go!"

Out of nowhere, Mitch stopped pushing his end, forcing too much weight for Ben to push. He let go as well and the door closed up. We all turned to face him.

"Mitch, we got to be on the other side of that door!"

"Nobody leaves unless I say so. That door is not gonna stay open by itself."

He looked at Ben.

"We both know what has to happen here."

"One of us keeps the door open and stays behind."

"I vote Mitch."

Excellent idea, Riley! Just one problem.

"This isn't a democracy."

Mitch hit Ben in the face. I advanced to stop him, but he shoved me into the water. He pulled out a knife and held onto Abigail like a hostage.

"Stop! I'll stay! I'm staying. Look. Look! See? I'm right here! I'm staying!"

"I'll tell everybody how this is going to go. You and me are going to open that door. Anybody tries to leave before me, I drop the door, we start this all over again! Try any funny business, I guarantee you people are going to get hurt!"

"I won't! You have my word. Just let her go."

Mitch paused, wondering if Ben was bluffing. If there was one thing I knew about Ben, it's that he could never bluff. Mitch let Abigail go.

"Ben. No, we're not leaving without you!"

Mitch got back with Ben. I ducked under the water so that I couldn't be seen by anyone. I finally resurfaced without anyone noticing where I was.

"Abigail!"

She headed over to Ben.

"You make my parents leave. You make my parents leave."

She hesitated, unsure of what to do. But, from whatever strength and affection she had left, she did as Ben told her to.

"Let's go, please! Patrick, Emily, he's trying to save our lives. Please, come on."

Mitch and Ben started over again and pushed the device. The door began to open, the current beginning to sweep us away.

"Push, Ben!"

"The current's too strong!"

Riley and Abigail ducked under and were on the other side. All that mattered was that they were safe. Ben positioned himself so that he was in place to hold open the door.

"I'm ready!"

"It's all yours!"

Mitch left his post and headed to the door. A loud metal clang caught my ear over the water. Suddenly, a large gold head collided with Mitch's unattended post and knocked Ben off. Emily and Patrick were just about to leave when the door closed on her. Ben hurried over.

"Mom!"

Mitch pushed his end while I swam over to where Ben originally was before rushing to Emily. I pressed as much as I could on my end.

"Hang on!"

Ben finally reached her.

"Hold your breath!"

He pushed Emily under and she disappeared to the other side. Ben took a log and tried to hold open the door, but it snapped and he got caught underneath.

"If I'm stuck in the door, it stays open, both rooms fill up, and we all drown! Open the door! I'll get you out!"

"The current's too strong! I open the door, you'll be washed down!"

"I'll get you out!

"I found the City of Gold! I found it! And no one will ever know?"

"We can figure this out! We can all get out!"

"It's not a puzzle! No more puzzles, Ben! We're all going to die, or it could just be me! Tell them I found it!"

"Be careful, Ben! Find Teacher!"

He saw me and shock overwhelmed his face at the sight of me. I only gave a sad smile in reply.

"Don't quit!"

We pushed with all our might.

"Mitch! Esther!"

The last thing I saw of Ben was his hand trying to fight the current. We finally gave in and let the door close. The water filled up quickly. I pulled out Mitch as best as I could.

"Why?"

"Because I'm not only blessed to have people that care, but I'm cursed with a gift that would hurt them. To me, it's better to sacrifice my life for theirs."

"Am I forgiven… by you?"

"Yes. You are."

He closed his eyes as the water covered him. It didn't take long for me to breathe my last my breath. I opened my eyes and looked for Alex. I saw him and a smile crossed my face. I wanted to be right next to him for when I would leave, so I swam to him. He moved away, farther away. But I wouldn't give up, so I continued to chase him until we reached the rising water level. I looked at him, furious.

"Alex, why!?"

"Because this is not your time to join me, Esther. You still have so much more to do and I won't allow you to throw that away. There is still a chance to survive. Keep your head above the water and float up with it. You should reach an endpoint of the flowing water."

"Alex-"

"NO! You are going to live on because you are needed! Not just by the Society, but everyone that cares about you!"

I wanted to argue so badly, but he made a good point. So I rose with the water with my head above it as I climbed higher and higher. The opening above the City seemed like a good place to go. I don't know how much time passed before I reached it and I pulled myself up to stand. But, it didn't seem like fate was in a forgiving mood as a final wave of water pushed me into the wall and I collapsed.

Are you sure I'm not joining you, Alex? Because I think I am now.

I finally gave in and closed my eyes.

"Essie. Essie!"