The police had scoured the area. The owner of the fourth set of footprints still remained unknown, and no evidence of the legendary mine had been found.
Beep....Beep....Beep....Beep...Beep. The sound of the monitors had become like an old friend to Sydney during the long days since Nigel had been found in the mountains. Sydney had spend every second by his side, and would for twenty four, seven if the hospital staff would allow it. As she drove back along the now familiar road to the hospital she know the decision she had come to would change both their lives.
Mystery still surrounded him, and Nigel himself was at a loss to explain his survival and where he had been. Fleeting memories refused to congeal into coherent thought. He knew someone had helped him, but who remained as elusive as the mine itself. At first he had just thought this whole trip was a wild goose chase, but now he knew somehow it was more than just a legend.
Nigel gathered his things together, the doctor had finally decided he was well enough to leave the hospital, but gave him strict instructions to take it easy until his own doctor gave him medical clearance to resume his treks around the world with Syd. He laughed to himself, just a few short years ago he would have been happy to stay behind, but now relic hunting was in his blood, and the thought of being left behind recuperating if any thing came up before he was a hundred percent didn’t sit well, among other things. It was the thought of the other things that turned his mood solemn, wondering how Sydney would react.
As Nigel gathered the last of his things, he felt something strange in the pocket of the pants he had been wearing at the time of his injury. He stared in wonder at the antique pocket watch as Sydney entered the room.
Go to Part Twenty Four.