Part Twenty-One

Sydney felt like she was seeing the world through someone elses eyes. Years of training kicked in and she was now functioning in what best could be described as auto pilot.

She and Zach still had two problems to deal with, the missing Lee, and the mysterious owner of the fourth set of footprints. They solved the first problem shortly after they had entered the mine. Lee was alive, but still unconscious. The second problem still refused to show it self.

Slowly flickers of light started to penetrate Nigel’s vision he heard a voice talking close by.

"Okay, I’ll concede!, maybe placing the map out there for people to find was not such a good idea after all."

Instead of hearing a human voice reply he heard what sounded like a horse, as his eyes fluttered open, he saw the old man engaged in an animated conversation with a mule. Nigel tried to sit up, but collapsed quickly as piercing pain engulfed his left side.

"Whoa there young fella." The old man said as he rushed to Nigel’s side. "Don’t you be trying to get up now. You have a pretty nasty gunshot wound and you’ve lost a lot of blood."

As Nigel looked down he saw his tank top had been ripped open, as the old man gently lifted the bloodied cloth from his side. Nigel only looked at it for a few second, but it was more than enough to turn his stomach on end. At least he didn’t have anything for lunch, so that was one thing in his favor.

"Good, now you lay still while I go and get some water." The old man said gently as he patted Nigel’s shoulder

Nigel nodded his acknowledgment.

The old man returned with a tin cup full of water and helped him drink.

After a few grateful sips Nigel finally found his voice. "Thank you."

"You have no need to thank me." The sorrow in his voice was only matched by the pain in his eyes.

"Who are you?" That and a dozen other questions now floated around in Nigel's foggy brain.

"Just call me Jay." The man looked over towards the mule. "And that flea bag over there is Ruth"

Nigel looked over and could have sworn the mule was giving Jay a dirty look.

"Nigel."

"Nice to meet ya Nigel."

Nigel looked around, lifting his head up with Jay’s assistance as his eyes adjusted to the dim lights from the lanterns hanging on the walls. He saw for the first time the dazzling splendor of the what only could be described as a cave. Veins of gold zigzagged in every direction throughout the walls of the cave, casting a beautiful golden glow throughout the chamber.

"Where am I?" Nigel asked in awe, still entranced by what he was seeing.

"My home." Jay replied as he removed the now soaked cloth and replaced it with another.

"Your Home?" His strength giving out, Nigel rested his head back down on the ground. The last thing he saw before passing out was Jay’s smiling face.

Go to Part Twenty Two.


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