By the time Goliath reached Natalie, the total eclipse was in its full glory. The afternoon sun and the wandering moon coincided, forming an eerie ring of light. It hung over the world like a primordial cosmic eye.
The tribal artists started playing a slow, earthly tune. Goliath stopped by Natalie but didn’t even bother looking at her. His focus was on the ancient well at the center of the summit.
The old man raised his gaze to the eclipse, spreading his arms to the side. He spoke a few lines of unintelligible foreign words and raised them. As if on cue, the ground rumbled, and smoke rose from the ancient well.
The virgins standing over the edge began screaming. That was because scalding heat escaped the well’s mouth, burning them. Hot lava bubbled at the bottom. The ancient well was a dormant volcano that came to life!
Satisfied with the ritual’s progress, Goliath lowered his eyes to Natalie. She looked up at him with a mix of horror and disgust.