The mountain was ominous. What was she thinking when she announced they would go there? Alex tried to remind herself that this place held the key to many questions. Well, at least they might have a chance to go home. Tori might feel better once they were in Central Park again. Tori, now she was acting strange. Alex wondered if it was because of the squirrel thing. It couldn't be fun being an animal. Not that Alex knew what it would be like to be an animal. But she could imagine, there were days she felt like an animal.
The group started up the mountain. They were looking for a cave, any cave that would allow them under. Hawk said it was impossible, no one had ever gone into the Ninth Kingdoms, at lest they never came out. Alex didn't care. She just wanted to try and get home. If there was a way, she would find it. She also wished Tori was as optimistic. Tori seemed to believe they would die there. Alex continued to wonder what had scared her friend at the castle. But Alex wouldn't push. If she knew Tori as much as she thought she did, Tori would eventually tell her. Alex did notice Kip seeming to take care of Tori. They both rode Luna and Tori didn't seem to mind. Alex wondered if Tori liked Kip. They certainly would make quite a pair. Tori was the least wild person Alex knew, and she had a feeling Kip was the most.
Hawk didn't like what he was about to say, but if they were going to find an entrance he had to. They had already left the horses halfway up. The terrain was too rocky and steep. Hawk kept telling himself the horses would be fine. He just hoped the rest of them would be okay too. "Okay, If we are to find the entrance we must split up. It's the only way to cover enough ground. Now remember, we are looking for any hole or cave that we can fit into. Be careful."
They all went in separate directions. Hawk watched Alex disappear into the thicket. She headed towards the waterfall as if she knew where she was going. When she was completely hidden by a hill, Hawk turned and began his search.
He wasn't searching hard. He didn't want Alex to go home. So Hawk kind of milled around, keeping a close eye on Kip, and the other on Tori. Tori seemed to stay close to Kip. Hawk wasn't sure if he liked this arrangement any better then Kip hanging close to Alex. Hawk was not going to let Kip get any of the women.
A piercing scream echoed throughout the mountain. Hawk ran to where he had last seen Alex. She wasn't there. Nothing was there except a deep hole; so deep Hawk couldn't see the bottom. "Alex!" He called. There was no answer.