Entered the caves in the morning. Only a few meters from the entrance, using a flashlight proved necessary in order to see. Everything was damp and wet, the path widening as I went further inside.
There was nothing unusual on the floor, walls or ceiling. I proceeded with care, testing the ground with each step, although there was nothing to suggest a need for it.
The path crumbled beneath me a short distance from the entrance, too quickly for caution and reflexes to allow for a jump back to safety. If it was a trap, the triggers were invisible. I personally think that the floor was simply weak, perhaps because of age, and only ever gave the illusion of being structurally sound.
Landed in a pool of water deep enough to cushion the fall but shallow enough that swimming, or even treading water, wasn't needed. Dry ground was close by, and was used to exit the water.
The surrounding rock was still damp, yet now there was glowing moss to partially illuminate the caves. I had fallen into a large cavern.
Scattered around was evidence of what might have been prior residence; toys, books, clothes, cooking utensils, and so on. Everything was broken or in a state of decay, with one exception. (I collected a broken toy as a sample of this discovery.)
A single book was in good condition. It seems to be a children's book. (I collected it as well.) The following was written in it:
If you meet a strange-clothed traveler, you must remember to ask where they are from.
If they say they are from another town, or perhaps a far-off country, offer them hospitality. Feed them and shelter them, for kindness to a weary traveler is true happiness.
But if they say they are from another world, return home quickly. Lock the doors, shutter the windows, offer them nothing. Pray that they may leave soon.
Remember not their words, for their words are naught but tricks. They will make you promises of great things, but you must not follow them, lest they kidnap you to their own world.
Remember not their faces, for this will invite them back. They may often appear beautiful, but their true faces are devils’.
Most important, remember them not. As long as you remember them, they will return again and again. Think not of these travelers, and they will have no hold over you. To remember them, to think of them, grants them power, but to forget them will banish them once more.
The above passage was accompanied by childish drawings. I tried to copy some of them here: [drawings of children wearing period clothes, the attire old-fashioned yet less fancy than what the Queen and Princess may wear. There's also a drawing of a man, one who is much more modern looking, down to his suit.]
There was nothing else in the book. When I proceeded forward, there was a large opening in a cave wall, along with a few others of smaller size that I couldn't fit through. When nothing of interest could be seen or felt by hand inside the small crevices, I carefully entered the large one.
In this way, I eventually returned to the outside world.
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cosmetician) wrote2014-11-19 11:26 pm
