Chapter 5
"Jonny," the young man woke to Jessie knocking on the door to his cabin, "we've arrived in Crete. Hurry and get ready to go after the last map piece."
"Will do, Jess." The youth scratched his head as he stood up and changed into his usual clothes. A few minutes later Jonny joined Jessie and Mei on the deck and looked out at the island of Crete. "So, what's the plan for this?"
Glancing at him, Mei replied. "Well, I know I have to go in since neither of you can read Atlantean. However, I'm not sure it's wise for all three of us to go. We don't know what sort of traps may be waiting for us."
"A good point." Jonny glanced at Jessie, "Jess, ….."
"Dibs." The girl said before he could get the words out.
"What?" The boy asked.
"I called dibs so you're staying behind this time." She grinned at him.
Mei watched the couple with growing amusement as she covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her laughter. As Jonny sulked, Jessie disembarked with her and the two girls made their way into Crete. Mei led them to a place that rented out cars and got them a ride before they made one more stop to get any supplies either girl could think of.
Jessie picked up two bundles of rope and spoke when she saw a quizzical expression on her companion's face. "I figured it might come in handy."
After the sports shop, the girls entered a store that sent a chill down Jessie's spine. Down an alley, a casual tourist wouldn't know it was even there. Entering, Mei approached the counter and spoke in Greek to the towering, bulky man behind the counter. He had black hair that was cropped short and a black goatee with an eye patch over one eye.
He gave Mei a gruff answer before going into a back part of the shop. Reentering the room, the man placed two swords, several throwing knives, four guns, and some ammo on the counter. Mei paid him and began sorting through the equipment.
Jessie stared, "Ummm, is this just a little excessive?"
"Not with my sisters on our asses." As she thought, Mei spoke to the man again.
He nodded and reached behind the counter, then straightened and set a bag of flash bombs on the counter. Mei handed him the payment for those before finishing packing their weapons. Watching her a thought occurred to Jessie, I wonder if she'd really kill Anaya and Melana ….
Mei drove them to Knossos after they ate a light breakfast. The two of them stared at the castle as Mei parked. "So," Jessie eyed the ruins of the castle, "where do we start?"
"Well, back in ancient times, the Labyrinth was supposed to be under the castle. There must be a way to enter somewhere in these ruins." The older girl answered as she got out of the car and studied the place before them.
Jessie followed behind her. "We're not gonna get in trouble for being here, are we?"
"The temple has connections here in Crete. I told the shopkeeper we got our weapons from our mission so we shouldn't be disturbed. Our allies in the law enforcement around here will see to that."
"Just how many agencies has your temple infiltrated?"
"We have museum staff and curators, lawyers, police, government officials and archaeologists who were all raised by the temple and educated to be among the best in their particular fields."
"I see. And the weapons dealers?"
Mei grinned. "Yeah. We have people set in cities ready to tend our needs in that too. As well as hospital staff."
The girls became quiet as they searched for a way to get under the ruins. Hours of searching had left both of them discouraged until Jessie discovered a hole in the floor. It was small and pitch black, but after some digging and using a pickaxe, the hole was made big enough for them to descend into.
Mei looked down the hole and back at Jessie. "Stay here. I'll radio you if anything happens. It'll be safer that way since we don't know what's down there."
The red haired girl grudgingly agreed. She's right but I hate letting her go alone. "Be careful."
She nodded and tied a rope onto part of the ruins that looked sturdy. "Don't worry, I'll be fine. I was trained for this, after all."
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Jonny frowned as he made his way through Crete and into the nearby woods. Of all times for Knossos to be closed off to the public. I wonder if Mei and Jessie got through. Heh, they'll probably be mad that I followed after them.
The young man sighed as he made his way through on a rented ATV. It still wasn't as fast as the road would have been, but it beat going on foot. After some time, the young man reached Knossos and began to search for the castle Jessie and Mei had gone to.
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Mei dug in her pack for a flashlight as she reached the bottom of the hole. Then she radioed Jessie. "Okay, I'm in. I'm gonna have a look around for the labyrinth."
"Right. Everything's quiet up here."
The girl looked around and sighed. The cave she was in gave no clues to where she'd find her destination. Following the only tunnel she found brought Mei to a small stream that flowed pretty steadily. Kneeling down, she splashed her face and looked at the two paths she could take. One way probably leads out of here. But the question is which way?
Studying the stream, the girl decided to follow the way it flowed. It grew darker, which hinted that she had chosen correctly. Mei walked along carefully until she reached a large set of stone doors. Finally. Okay this has to be the entrance.
"Jessie? Can you hear me?" She spoke into the radio. No response came. I must be too far from her. All right. From here, I'm on my own then.
Entering the maze, Mei was surprised at the condition of the place. There was very little decay. However, with her flashlight being the only source of light, the girl had to proceed slowly. She was careful to leave markers of where she'd been using one of the five cans of spray paint she'd bought.
It's probably somewhere in the heart of the labyrinth. Mei frowned as she looked about for any clues to guide her.
It took a while but, eventually, the young woman reached her goal. After a brief rest, she began to look around the chamber. Upon finding an Atlantean crest, she turned it slightly to the right then pressed it in. The action opened a hidden room.
Mei examined the room carefully. Okay, what's the rub? There must be more to it than this.
Reading the walls, she found a similar tale and warning. There was one difference, however. An extra warning. Beware the guardian of the map.
"Guardian?" Mei repeated aloud. She listened for any signs of life, but found the labyrinth to be deathly silent.
Taking a deep breath and bracing herself, the young woman took the piece from its resting place. The entire room shook as an inhuman roar sounded. What the …..?
Her question was answered by a pair of glowing eyes. Then it charged at her. The girl jumped out of the way just in time.
"A minotaur?" Shaking off the disbelief she felt, Mei ran from the room and the beast inside it.
~~~~~~~~~~JQ~~~~~~~~~~
Upon reaching the ruins of the castle, Jonny approached Jessie. "Where's Mei?"
His girlfriend jumped in surprise. "You came after us?"
The young man looked down sheepishly. "I … was worried."
Jessie couldn't help smiling. Her Jonny was almost impossible to stay mad at. "All right, hot shot, you're off the hook."
He offered her a charming, lopsided grin. "So, where'd Mei go?"
"Down the hole over here. We …. lost contact a while ago. I'm starting to get a little worried. Think you can go look for her?"
"Sure."
"Okay." Jessie handed over her backpack, "Take this with you in case."
Jonny nodded. "Thanks. Why don't you go hide in those woods? In case anyone unexpected shows up."
"All right." Jessie stood and stretched. "You be careful."
Kissing her cheek, he smiled. "You got it. Be safe till we get back."
~~~~~~~~~~JQ~~~~~~~~~~
Mei cursed as she leaned against the nearest wall panting and clutching her side. The minotaur had managed to get her in the right side and leave a large gash on her left thigh before she used a flash bomb to escape. Taking out a roll of bandages from her pack, she managed to do a temporary dressing to the wounds.
The girl looked around frantically for one of her markings to show her the way. I'll use a flash bomb if it finds me again.
She began walking or, rather, limping. "Ow …." Mei whimpered as pain shot up and down her leg. Hearing another roar, she quickened her pace as much as she could.
As Mei leaned against another wall to catch her breath, she heard something. Only this wasn't hoof beats or roaring. It was faint at first.
"Mei!? Mei, where are you?!"
Following the familiar voice, the girl found a glow coming from a flashlight. Relief and disbelief consumed her. Then came panic. "Jonny? We have to get out of here. Now."
"Wait. What's going on?" The boy asked in bewilderment.
"N, no time. We have to go. Before it finds us."
"Before what finds us?" He inquired.
A booming roar answered the question. Mei looked behind her before rushing towards Jonny. "Move. It's dangerous here."
The young man didn't question her further. He grabbed her hand and led the way back to the exit. As the companions got out, Jonny quickly closed the stone doors.
Turning, he saw Mei sitting on the ground with a hand pressed tightly to her right side. "W, we have to keep moving."
Jonny stared at her. "Are you hurt, Mei?"
"No time. It'll get out soon and be after us."
"I don't understand. What was that thing in there?"
Looking up at him, she replied. "A minotaur."
"What? Like in the myth?"
"Jonny, there's no time. Take the map piece from my pack and go. Get back to Jessie."
The youth knelt down in front of Mei. "Okay, let's go."
"What? No. I'll just slow you down."
"Mei," Jonny looked at her over his shoulder, "get on or I'll carry you in my arms instead. I'm not leaving you here."
The girl sighed in frustration before she obeyed. The young man stood and began walking. "So, wanna tell me what happened?"
"The minotaur got my right side with his horns and slashed my left thigh with a sword. I used a flash bomb to escape. Its eyes are extremely sensitive to light."
Jonny felt Mei clench her fists against his shoulder and heard her hiss in pain. "Sorry. You okay?"
"I'm fine. Keep going."
Jonny tried his best to move carefully. Instead of climbing the rope, he followed the river to the mouth of a cave. The boy set Mei gently down and knelt in front of her.
"Let me see."
She moved her hand and raised the shirt up over her stomach. The bandage covering the wound was soaked in blood. Carefully, Jonny removed the bandage to examine the injury. Walking over to the river, Jonny removed his own shirt and tore it into pieces, one of which he dipped into the water.
"All right. Let's clean that first, then I'll do a patch job till we get to a hospital."
Mei looked down and blushed. "Thanks."
Jonny grinned at her. "No problem." When he finished dressing the wound on her side, the young man went back to the river and dunked another cloth in. Coming back to her, he spoke. "Let's tend to the sword wound.
Using one of her knives, Mei cut her pants open around the gash. Jonny sucked his breath in sharply. "That thing got you good. Any further and it'd be down to your knee."
After removing the old bandages and cleaning the wound, Jonny put some clean dressings on her thigh. Then he stood and took a look around. Mei stared at him. He's so stubborn. He needs to leave me behind ….
That's all for chapter 5. Hope everyone enjoyed and sorry for the delay. Been a little sick lately.