Chương 36: Finding the Hidden Spring

Amanda was looking at her calendar, already going crazy. It has been three days since Christopher returned to his home. Yet, she felt like it was forever.

She had come to realize there was no way she could wait for more than a week. She had to do something. The fact that she could not communicate with him made it even worse.

The next day, she excused herself from work, telling Andrew she was not feeling well. However, instead of resting at home, she went around town looking for a secret spring.

She naturally started at those she knew about, but realized they were frequently visited. Still, she went around touching and feeling every surface and even under the water. She did not feel anything to suggest there was an entrance to another world.

She went through town, asking about a possible hidden spring, and she was directed to two other water sources. She did the same in each site, feeling every inch of its soils and rocks, submerged herself in the water, but still, she did not find any gate.

Sleeping that evening was the most difficult for her. She knew not Chris' condition, and it was eating her up. The only other way was to get Abasi to send her to Pelagy.

The next day, she returned to work with a long face, but aside from her, someone else was feeling under the weather.

"Amanda, seriously. I thought you were sick, but someone I know saw you swim at the north side spring. What's going on with you?" Andrew asked the minute she entered from the back of the Souther Deli.

She first put on her gloves and turned to Andrew. She said, "I - I heard that springs have medicinal properties - minerals whatnot and I really want to relieve myself of what I was feeling."

Andrew tried to reach for her and asked, "What's wrong with you, Amanda?"

However, she was quick to step back and said, "I'm sorry, I prefer not to be touched. You know that, Andrew." She looked down and said, "I don't know what's wrong with me. I just don't feel well. I'm really sorry, Andrew."

"I was just trying to help, Amada. You should try to reach out sometimes." Andrew left instantly, dismayed by her actions.

For the rest of the day, her going around town became the topic of her colleagues at the restaurant and even Andrew's father, Thomas, spoke to her about it.

"Springs, ha. Amanda," said Thomas.

Tracy and Andrew laughed at Thomas's words, suggesting they were secretly questioning Amanda's actions, but Thomas said, "Springs have minerals aiding our body. It's true they are medicinal, but maybe not those that are crowded with people.

"There is actually a water source at the center of town and at one point we have made use of it when I was a child, but not anymore. People have disappeared trying to get water there, but as my father used to say, it offered the cleanest."

"The cave going down was just too deep, and it is dark - very dark. It is hidden beneath the rocks of this island." Thomas turned to Amanda and said, "You remember those rocks behind the park? There is actually a small opening, just enough for a man to fit."

"Really, dad. Why haven't we made use of this water source if it's just in the middle of town?" Andrew asked with a frown.

"Because every man that goes under that cave - they were able to send back water using a pulley, but - but they never came back up - even the rescuers." Thomas's expression turned to sad, realizing it was a difficult time for Trinity Bay.

"After that instance, that water source has been banned from everyone. Now, after more than thirty years had passed, it is just... completely forgotten!"

"Still, Amanda. You should have yourself checked and not simply rely on a spring bath," said Thomas.

It was because Amanda highly respected Thomas that Andrew asked his father to speak to Amanda about it. She ultimately faked an agreement and said, "Thank you, Mr. Kent. I appreciate your concern. I will have myself checked tomorrow."

Turning to Andrew, she said, "Can I - take another leave?"

The next day, before the sun could rise, Amanda went to the back of the park and found herself at the large pile and boulders of rocks that stood as a highlight of the place. Apparently, there was a secret cave and a water source underneath it.

It was still five in the morning when she reached the spot. She used her powers to light the surroundings and quickly found the opening Thomas was referring to. It was a mere thirty inches in circumference and its surface was utterly rough, made out of natural limestone rocks.

"I hope there aren't any snakes here," she muttered. She hated snakes more than anything.

She contemplated on how to lower herself, but because it was completely dark, she concluded it was best to set herself on fire.

In the middle of Trinity Bay, behind the intimate park where huge rocks stood, the surroundings suddenly lit up. A meter of fire suddenly flared and Amanda's clothes slowly burned down.

Amanda quickly went down into the dark pit. As she lowered herself, she felt the edges of the rocks scratch her second skin. Fortunately, her protective layer shielded her from any minor injuries.

Ten feet down, she realized, the small passage goes down deeper than she ever imagined. The source of water was still not visible from where she was climbing down.

She continued to descend, merely holding on to rocks or leaning back to avoid falling altogether.

After what it felt like fifteen feet down, finally, she heard splashes of water resulting in some pieces of rocks that fell as she descended. Then, little by little, the narrow passage turned wider. After another five feet, she could let out her wings to support her from falling.

Roughly more than thirty feet below the ground, she finally found the water source Thomas spoke of.

It was huge, covering about two hundred square feet in an area of pure freshwater. She let her fire illuminate the place and carefully; she looked around. She used her hands to feel every surface of the cave, but she sensed nothing. There was only one space left which was under the water.

"Okay, here we go - "

"Amanda, we have an emergency gathering. I need you now," called Trisha from her head.

"Ah, Trish, can you give me like half an hour? I am just on to something - "

"No, Amanda. This is important. Abasi will call on you now," Trisha replied.

Amanda can only sneer. She was this close to finding out if under the water was the gate to Christopher's world, but she had no choice. In seconds she found herself disappearing from within the cave.

She was once again traveling through space and she reappeared in another cavern, the one in Brazil which remained to be their gathering place. All the masters were already there, including two from the future.

The future masters of time and space and of the heart, Cassandra and Khalid. They were there to warn the current masters of the danger that were arriving soon.