The World Through The Forbidden Cave

“If we’re going to go, we should go now, the forbidden cave isn’t waiting for anyone,” she urged as she righted her kayak over the rippling lake.

I stared into the bright light at the end, wondering what could possibly be so dangerous. Why was this a forbidden cave? Why had no one ever gone in and explored? Not to mention, why was I still sitting at it’s entrance frozen in terror.

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“Edwin?” Laura asked as she nudged me with her paddle.

With my trembling hand, I grabbed the paddle’s end and pulled her closer.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked.

“I go where you go. Simple as that. You don’t leave the ones you love to face their enemies alone. Either you go with them to fight by their side or take photographs as they kick the assailant’s butt.”

With a chuckle, I added, “You always did have a way with words. But the elders, they said if we even looked at their cave we’d be goners.”

Looking back at the cave, Laura shot her hands out and exclaimed, “We ain’t dead yet!”

Her voice echoed off the jagged rocks, dying as it hit the cave’s end.

“You told me something was drawing you to this place,” she continued as she brushed her bleach blond hair out of her eyes. “So we’re here, and now we go forward.”

She was right. I hadn’t slept right for the last week but really, could anyone with the nagging feeling of needing to go somewhere, or that they’d forgotten something?

With a definitive nod, I pushed onward, letting the bright white light consume me.

The shimmering sapphire water then guided our kayaks to the golden shores as we were excitedly greeted by a small army. Their armor-like bejeweled clothes glittered as they jumped and cried out to us.

Then, a single woman ran from the crowd, leaping into my arms.

“Tarran! Tarran you’re home!” She cried, latching onto my black wetsuit.

Then, looking back to the people she cried triumphantly, “He made his way through the forbidden cave and now, my husband has returned home!”

They erupted into a thunderous applause as I desperately tried to make sense of what was going on. Glancing behind me, I could see the growing look of horror on Laura’s face.

Before I could say a word, the people rushed around us, and ushered us through the rock city. Their very homes and shops were carved into the surrounding blue stone, making it seem ancient yet new in some ironic design.

The largest building was farthest from the little waterway, and stretched clear to the ceiling of the gargantuan cave. There was no doubt in my mind that this was the palace of these cave people. But why did this woman think I was her husband?

As quickly as they appeared, the people vanished as we entered the stone castle. The door slammed shut behind Laura and I as the woman from before, guided us to through the jade columns scattered over the ruby red floors.

“Dear husband,” she began as she opened a bulky granite door. “Here are your old quarters. We’ll find other accommodations for your traveling companion.”

As she went to grab Laura’s wrist, I stepped between them and argued, “I would prefer to have her with me for now. We have…. some…. important things to discuss now.”

Thankfully, my official-ish sounding voice was enough to send my supposed wife away. Even if it was with a suspicious glance as she made her way back down the hall.

I was barely able to pull the door shut behind us, but as soon as we were alone, Laura began, “You’re married!?”

“Not that I know of!?” I argued helplessly.

“You must’ve lost your memory or something,” she mumbled as she began pacing over the diamond studded floor. “After all, I did find you with an arrow in your back. Maybe the trauma caused you to forget the woman you love. The actual woman you love.”

Her voice weakened as she sat lightly on the edge of the grand, silver bed.

Landing on my knee, I grabbed her hand and assured, “Laura, you are the only woman I have ever loved. And if that woman really was my wife, if I was really in love with her, I wouldn’t have forgotten her so easily. Please, don’t doubt me, not when we need each other the most.”

With a sniffle she nodded her head, but stopped as her eyes landed on the door. I spun around to see a small woman, wrapped in a soft white coat.

“You don’t remember?” She gawked as she closed the door behind her.

“Not a thing,” I replied.

“Well I can tell you one thing. This is your home, but she is not your wife.”

Behind The Forbidden Cave

A couple weeks ago I was able to go kayaking with a good friend of mine. During which, we came across a cluster of caves stretching up the lake’s cliffside. I only poked my nose in to take a few pictures, but that was all my imagination needed to start running wild. Caves have always been one of my family’s favorite things which has lead me down more geological rabbit holes than I can count. So, when I was thinking of this idea, I thought, why not combine another reality with the gems of this planet, making it’s only entrance a forbidden cave?

Thank you for reading this post! What was your favorite part? Why do you think the woman says she’s his wife? Who’s the woman sneaking into Edwin and Laura’s room? Let me know what you think in the comments below

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