Nex Ut Totus Quisnam Penetro Hic, Part 1

The entrance to the cave stood before the group of high school kids. It was a legend in itself. It had claimed thirteen lives already.

“I got five bucks, says none of you will spend a night in the cave.” Eddy said.

Everyone looked at each other, but none dared to take the bet.

“I will.” The voice came out of a patch of trees.

“Who’s there?” Patty asked.

Billy stepped out into the clearing. “I’ll spend a night in the cave.”

“You’re kidding right? You’re not even supposed to be here.” David said.

Billy didn’t exactly belong to their group. He was quiet, shy, and not at all popular. He never hung out with anyone. And he generally wasn’t well accepted. He was hoping to change his status with these guys if he could convince them to let him take the bet.

Three years ago, the cave had claimed the life of his fifteen-year-old sister. Now he was fifteen and he felt it was time to reclaim her. “I’ll do it. I’ll spend a night in the cave.”

“You know the legend right?” Amy asked.

“Yes. The cave was a place for the Indians to bury the evil ones. Now it’s haunted.” Eddy said.

“It’s not haunted.” Amy said. “It’s the home of the soul snatcher. An evil gypsy once put a curse on a white man in town. He wandered into the cave where he snatches the souls of unsuspecting people.”

“That’s not the whole legend.” Billy said. “After Nancy was lost in the caves I did some research. It’s something not many people know about. Follow me.” Billy lead the group of four to the entrance of the cave. He shined his flashlight on some markings.

“Indian markings.” David said.

“I thought so too, but their not. They’re actually a different language. The history I was reading didn’t mention what language it was, just what it meant.” Billy said.

“And what crackpot wrote this?” Patty asked.

“The only man to ever leave the cave alive.”

“Old Man Wellford has been dead for one-hundred years now.” Eddy said.

“Yeah, but he left his journal behind. He spent four weeks in that cave. He wrote down and translated every engraving inside the cave. The markings were here long before any tribes moved into the area.” Billy explained.

“How did you get a hold of his journal?” Amy asked.

“It’s been in my family for years. After Nancy was gone, my dad tried to throw it away, but I took it out of the trash.”

“So what does the engraving mean?” David asked.

“Death to those who enter here.” Billy said. “In his journal he goes on to explain the caves original purpose. He has a detailed map of the inside of the cave and a list of all the markings and their translations.”

“What else does he write about? I mean he had to have written something about why he went crazy.” Patty said.

“He did. He said during his entire four weeks in the cave, he was tormented by moans, wails, and an eerie scratching sound. But every time he looked or shined his flashlight there was nothing there. He said that he had seen the nest of the creature and determined that it lived alone. He figured that it must have fed on the moss in the cave. On the last day of his stay in the cave he saw the creature. He described it as being more hideous and bulbous than anything he had ever seen. It had fangs worn down from scratching at the walls for moss. Huge claws to climb the steep precipices within the cave.”

“If this creature is so harmless, then how did all thirteen of those people die, including Nancy?” Eddy asked.

“When he drew his map he pointed out the steep cliffs in the cave. His guessed that the people either weren’t watching what they were doing, or were startled and frightened by the creature that they forgot where in the cave they were and fell into one of the caverns.” Billy said.

“A short fall wouldn’t kill a person.” Amy pointed out.

“No, but we’re talking sheer walls, without climbing equipment a person wouldn’t be able to get out, especially if the person had broken a limb during the fall.” Billy explained.

“I’ve got an idea.” Eddy said.

“What’s that?” David asked.

“Why don’t we all go in?” Eddy suggested.

“No way. Count me out.” Patty said as she turned and headed down hillside.

“David? Amy?” Eddy asked. “Or are you two pussy-freshmen?”

“I’ll go.” David said.

“There’s safety in numbers.” Amy said. “Why not.”

“So the four of us will head into the cave tomorrow night. We’ll meet here with flashlights, canteens of water, some snacks, and some rope. Everyone bring a book bag. And Billy, you bring that book of yours.” Eddy ordered.

They all huddled and put their hands in as Eddy spoke again. “Anyone who puts their hand in and doesn’t show, is a pussy.”

With that they all broke up and headed home to prepare for tomorrow night’s adventure.