t had been working on since we'd left the truck and I felt about five minutes away from turning into a Maya popsicle.
"I think I just need to get moving," I said as I tried to stop my teeth from chattering. Coal gazed at me for another second and I raised my chin defiantly. All of this stuff might have been new to me but I wasn’t going to back down from the challenges presented out here. It might be hard but it was real and I wouldn’t have gone back to the city for anything. Coal seemed to see the strength in my resolve and nodded stiffly before letting me continue down the hillside.
I was extra careful the rest of the way down. We tied ourselves in a rough line using some of the trailing vines for safety too. Only Kaloo had no trouble, running up and down the hill with seemingly no more effort than she used on flat ground. Oh to have four legs…
Once we reached the bottom of the slope, we found ourselves in a valley formed around a trickling stream. Presumably it had once been more impressive, but now it was just a burbling patch of slightly wetter ground. The GPS directed us to continue along the valley floor, moving against the flow of the water, and we carried on with ease.
“I hope we can find another way back," Laurie commented as we looked up at the intimidating incline beside us. "I don't like our chances against that hill going back up."
I had to agree with her and Coal nodded as he looked up at it too. “We’ll figure something out once the mission’s complete.”
“It's just up ahead," Alicia called over her shoulder as we reached the point where the stream bubbled up out of the ground. The soil beneath our feet started to feel firmer and we headed up a slight incline again as we began to move up the other side of the valley.
My footsteps abruptly stopped squelching and thumped onto a hard surface.
"This is concrete," I said, stamping some of the mud off of my boots.
“This must be part of the base, maybe they used to come down to this stream for water or something," Coal mused.
I looked up at the winding trail ahead of us, it cut into the hillside, finding a route between the immense tree trunks which was too deliberate to be accidental.
The trees soared upwards and disappeared into the mist which formed a thick cloud hovering above us and it kind of felt like we were the only people in the world down here.
We headed up the solid, moss-covered path at a much quicker rate and I sighed aloud with relief as my muscles reacted to the change in pace. The path twisted back and forth, climbing the valley before depositing us half way up the hill at a partially hidden doorway.
"This is it," Alicia announced excitedly. "The GPS says that our destination is right here so it must be beneath our feet. This must be the other entrance Hunter mentioned."
Coal moved forward and pushed at the heavy, metal door. It didn't open.
“How do we get in then?" Laurie asked. The door was made of thick steel and thudded deeply when she banged her fist against it.
“Hang on." Coal rummaged in his pockets and produced a small device with two wires protruding from either end. He touched each end to a panel next to the door and a screen flickered to life. He then pushed a button on the central device and a high pitched humming noise filled the air.
Numbers started to run back and forth in quick succession on the screen until slowly, one by one, they settled into a code. I looked at the glowing green digits and glanced at the door expectantly, but nothing happened.
After a few seconds the device beeped and released its hold on the panel. Coal caught it and pocketed it again.
The door slid open silently.
A gust of stale air washed over us. The dim light that filtered through the trees illuminated a little of the tunnel beyond. Inside was a smooth, stone passage delving deep into the hillside. A row of red lights flickered to life, momentarily illuminating the passage which twisted away out of view but they blinked out again almost instantly.
“Well, we can't hope for too much good luck." Alicia smiled, pulling out her flashlight again and aiming its beam down the tunnel.
Kaloo moved ahead of us and stuck her head through the door. She sniffed at the air for a moment before growling and raising her hackles.
"What's up 'Loo?" Coal asked, reaching out to tickle her ears.
Kaloo ignored him and backed away from the tunnel.
"It's okay - see?" Coal stepped inside and whistled to her.
Kaloo wasn't having any of it, she let out a bark and moved further back along the path. I glanced worriedly at the surrounding trees.
“Stay out here then, we can meet you later," Alicia said as she moved inside.
Kaloo watched us for another moment before turning tail and disappearing into the trees.
“Is that a bad sign?" I asked, looking at the movement in the foliage that marked where she’d pushed through.