“Look what I found here,” Drake called from the corner of the cave. I hadn’t even noticed he had wandered off.
We followed him to where his voice was coming from and we saw another opening you had to climb up to get too. It was covered in brush and a few downed rocks.
“That will come in handy if the other cave is discovered,” Drake stated.
“I’ll just move some of the rocks to clear us a path up.” Remy stated as he climbed up onto the rocks.
He moved some rocks around to make it an easier climb up and cleared a path. Then he moved the largest boulder covering the entrance, so we could fit through easier. I scrambled up next to him.
“I’m totally sneaking up on the other guys,” I said impishly as I pushed some of the brush aside.
Remy and Drake chuckled. “Go for it.” Remy smiled.
I squeezed out of the opening, careful not to let the brambles and ivy catch my appendages or impede my exit. I climbed out and noticed we were on a steep incline. I looked around and recognized a large tree whose roots had ripped from the earth. It was precariously leaned over onto its neighboring trees. It had been close to where the mouth of the other cave was. I climbed up on my hands, knees, and feet. The climb was roughly ten feet up, but I did it.
I carefully picked my way over the terrain. I saw the opening that was over the spring and peered down into it. Remy and Drake had already removed their coats and they were picking up the debris down below. I continued walking until I could see Troy, Jace, Jaxson, and Noah quietly talking as they sat near the opening.
“Rawr!” I roared above them. Jaxson and Noah predictably scrambled up and skittered backwards.
Noah was clutching his heart. “Not funny,” he scolded with a smile.
“No, it wasn’t funny. It was hilarious,” I crowed. “You should have seen your faces. I even made Troy and Jace jump.” I said smugly looking at them. “It’s clear in there.” I began my climb down.
I felt Troy’s hands embrace my waist and help me down the rest of the way.
“We should grab some sticks and branches,” Jace recommended as he rubbed his hands blowing into them. “That sky doesn’t look too promising.”
“That’s an excellent idea, but I may have a better idea for us to warm up.” I beamed.
We spent the next hour grabbing all the dead wood we could get ahold of, which wasn’t that difficult since winter was setting in. It was a bit tedious, though. Troy pulled a tarp out of his pack, and we loaded what we could onto the middle of it while Remy and Jace pulled it through the tunnel with the rope Remy produced from his pack.
Drake was sitting in the entrance with string, a sturdy stick, and some straw-like fibers he found in the woods. The floor that we were sleeping on was clear of all the big rubble, but it still needed to be cleared more efficiently if we wanted to sleep comfortably. I had to admit I was impressed with how good it looked—I hoped it worked just as well.
Jaxson, Noah, Troy, and I were acting like kids as we raced each other in and out of the cave. I think we were all eagerly anticipating a dip in the pool later. Most of us expected not to bathe for days, and after the filth we accumulated on our bodies today, we were all ready to feel clean once again.
We had made numerous trips when the snow started falling in fat flakes.
How much more should we get? I asked silently.
I think we should continue collecting it, Troy answered. The more we have the better. Mountain snow is unpredictable. It may come down all night and we may be stuck here until it’s safe to move again. I don’t want to be caught in it, and I don’t want to be collecting wood in it either. We’ll call Pops when we get in and ask him if he has a better idea on how much we’re expecting. It’s warm inside for now, but we have no clu
e how much the temperature may drop at night.
I dropped my load off onto the tarp and made my way back outside. Near the fallen tree were logs the size of me. I tried to lift one end to drag in, but it was too heavy. I closed my eyes and imagined myself picking it up. Then I lifted it.
I win! I called triumphantly as I held the two hundred pounds log up over my head.
Show off! Jaxson snorted good naturedly.
That’s kinda hot, Noah murmured in my ear.
I giggled and looked over at him with a wink. Oh yeah, you should see my feet.
His eyebrows drew together. What’s wrong with your feet? They’re small and cute.
They’re not cute right now. I’m pretty sure I have blisters on top of my blisters. I joked.
He frowned. Why didn’t you tell me? We could have fixed you up. Let’s go inside and I’ll heal them. You’ve already done enough.