Dwellers of the New World Chapter Eighteen ( Pt 2 ) Night Time Expedition Continued...

Simon wanted to get down too. “No son – wait till we reach the boulders.” Simon felt a sudden stroke of jealousy at Varden's independence, but knew deep down his father was right, he was just glad to be here.

Finally; arriving at the entrance, they all jumped down. Simon was adamant he'd been here before, he felt a sudden urge to be in the Doom Chamber, it was like a magnet drawing him.

“Over here!” Said Varden. “It'll take all our strength to move the huge boulder.” He stood scratching his head, thinking about their next move.

“Why don't we use the horses!” Called out Ben. “Bracken and Rainbow will have no trouble shifting it.”

“That's a great idea!” Brad replied. They took some rope from the cart, and tied one end around the boulder and the other they attached to the horses. Addie – Ruben – Brett and Mason got the other side of the boulder ready to push.

“Are we all ready?” Called out Ben. The others agreed. “Get prepared to move that boulder!” Ben counted down. “Three – Two – One, push!” He grabbed the reigns coaxing the horses on to heave, as the others shoved with every bit of energy they had. With everyone working together, it didn't take long before the huge stone began to shift slowly away from the entrance.

There was a great sigh of relief. “Phew!” Declared Addie! “That was hard work.”

“Does anyone mind if I go first?” Enquired Varden, desperate to go in.

“Of course not!” Replied Dawson who had been watching on. Ben untied the rope and attached the horses to the carts once more.

“Someone will need to stay outside and keep watch,” said Varden.

“I'll keep watch!” Replied Ben. “I'll just stay with the horses, I'm getting used to being on guard.”

Simon was right behind Varden and eager to get in. “You'd better be careful!” Said Varden. “There's a slope down which could be dangerous, wait a bit before following.”

Simon was resolute that he'd be okay. “I can't wait to get in there, find out if this place was in my dream.” Climbing in, he held back a while, then as if he'd done this trip many times, he slid down the hole, using his feet as leverage, digging in his heals.

Dawson wasn't far behind Simon, then Addie and his men, Brad followed on, the last person to enter with the owl still on his shoulder. Sliding down the slope.

The stench hit them immediately, as poor Simon was ready to throw up as he hit the ground with a thump. Varden turned and looked at the boy holding his nose, wondering how he'd ever managed to survive down there for so long.

Simon came to standing, brushing himself off and gazed around. “This is the place in my dream; I knew it! Father come quick!” His voice echoed in the dim light from the chamber entrances like the one that Dawson had walked through, they conveyed their glow, though Varden had no idea how the tunnels carried such brightness, it had been a mystery the whole time he'd been down there. The mist gave the cloudy rays a flickering affect, which the boy found very strange now.

Brad could hear his son shouting as he followed the others down. Varden on the other hand, wondered where his friends were. He started to investigate, knowing they were probably hiding. He called out. “Gideon – Gerrard! It's Varden.”

Upon hearing their friend's voice, from out of the shadows appeared two scrawny boys, dressed in rags. “Varden! Is it really you?”

“Yeah!” Replied the boy – I've bought some friends to help you escape, we've got horses and carts to take you to safety.”

Gideon came running up to his friend and hugged him, feeling the warmth of his long lost companion.

“I got so much to tell you and Gerrard.” He looked at the other boys, they seemed scared and unsure as they too came out of hiding. “Hey guys – don't be afraid, you're getting out of this place.” Echoed Varden.

The boys looked at one another, then Gerrard said. “Where you been? We thought you was dead.”

Varden grinned understanding his friend's concern. “I escaped when those guards Josh and Seth were trying to get Dawson's weapon. I had to leave, it was me only chance – but I always knew I'd come back to save you all.”

“So! Where'd you go?” Asked Gerrard, wiping his snotty nose on his sleeve that was now bits of old rag falling to pieces.

“I've been on a long voyage over to our home, Wild Whistling Isle, where I met some friends and we rescued Dawson.”

“Really?” Remarked Gideon. “You actually went home, then came back for us?”

“Of course!” Replied Varden. “You didn't think I was going to leave you here at the hands of Gregor did you?”

Gideon began to cry for the first time, forgetting his tough exterior. “You're very brave,” he stated. “Don't think I would have come back, not after escaping.”

Varden hadn't ever considered not coming back, it didn't even register he was putting himself in danger.

Dwellers of the New World Chapter Eighteen ( Pt 3 ) Savage Behaviour | ABCtales