Contd from last time,
Approaching the opening, he looked up to see someone had painted the casing around the opening to look like the opened mouth of a skeleton with jagged white teeth prepared to crunch down on any who dared enter.
He almost turned around right then, but didn’t, more afraid of what Eric might think of him than what might be waiting inside the mine. Unlike many of his other friends, Eric wasn’t into the whole macho scene. He was much more reserved and laid back, exuding this aura of relaxed invincibility that drew people to him like moths to a flame. A far cry from Jared who was socially awkward and lacked the charisma of his friend.
At the entrance Eric stopped and had a good laugh at the sign someone had spray painted on the casing. The words made Jared want to turn around right then and go back home.
Abandon all hope, all ye who enters here!
“I don’t think this is a good idea,” Jared said.
“It’s just someone’s idea of a joke. Come on man you need to loosen up.”
“Have you been down here before?”
Eric shook his head. “This is my first time.”
“Then how do you know it’s safe?”
“I just know it is, I’ve got a map. A couple of guys I know who do this all the time gave it to me and told me about the crystal room.”
“How well do you know these guys?” Jared was searching for any reason he could to back out of this without losing face.”
“Well enough, they wouldn’t steer me wrong, they’re good guys.”
“I don’t know, I’d feel better if I could see the map.”
“I forgot to bring it, but it’s okay, everything will be fine. The chamber is only a few hundred feet away from the end of the mine. It’s a straight shot, we can’t get lost.”
Jared was about to turn around right then but stopped. This was the chance he’d been looking for. If he went in and word spread about what he’d done his whole life would change. He’d no longer be the afterthought, the last one called, if they called at all. He’d prove to the others he could be just like them.
“The moment I don’t feel comfortable about this we leave, right?”
Eric shrugged as he smiled. “You got it bro, the moment you feel afraid we’ll turn around.”
“That isn’t what I meant.”
“I know, I’m just giving you a hard time, man, come on let’s get going.”
Still apprehensive, Jared followed Eric into the shadowy depths of the mine, glancing once at the clear blue sky above before it was replaced by the smooth concrete of the casing.
Will I see the sky again? He worried as smooth concrete gave way to naked stone carrying the tool marks of those who once toiled in these depths.
The comforting glow from the sun faded to a deepening gloom and Eric turned on his flashlight as they moved deeper into the mine. Every ten feet ancient timber formed arches that held the roof of the mine in place.
To be contd!
Richard Schiver 
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