| |
“Mom, this is boring,” Ethan said while ruffling his golden hair. Beside him, his sister Emily Brown was making faces at him.
“Ethan, we’ll be out here soon. Just stay calm.” His mom, Claudette said as she snapped photos of some exotic birds. The Australians had been touring the jungles of Uganda. They had made a pit stop at the Kampala Hotel and having heard of the jungle decided to visit it.
Ethan rolled his tongue at his sister while wiping the sweat from his brow. He wondered why they could not just stay in their hotel. He wished to be back home. Mom and her stupid holiday tours, he thought as his attention was drawn to his sister beckoning him backwards. He scowled, knowing his sister was up to no good. He stole a glance at his mother and saw her still engrossed in taking photos of insects. Why grown-ups were fascinated by some stuffs was still a mystery to him? He followed his sister.
“Where are you going?” He whispered as they ventured deeper into the jungle.
“Shh!” Emily shushed him, placing a dirty finger on his lips.
“We’re going to play a game,” she said with a wink.
Ethan smiled, pleased at his sister’s comment. The whole day had been boring. As they walked deeper into the forest, they could hear the steady thrum of the waterfall. Twigs cracked as they made their way towards a cave. Through the tickets, the peak of Mount Elgon could be seen.
“Emily, I think we should go back,” Ethan said, voice faltering.
“You’re not chickening out on me now bro.” Emily said with a smug face.
Ethan knew he did not want to look scared in front of his sister, “fine!” He said even as his heart pounded like crazy.
They entered the cave and Ethan switched on his penlight, a gift from his grandfather. The light bounced off the cave walls revealing very detailed paintings. The children were mesmerized. Far off in the distance they could hear their names being called. The kids ventured deeper into the cave and came to a dead end. A drawing of a warrior like person was on the cave wall.
“What do you think it is?” Emily asked, gazing at the ancient painting.
“I don’t know. Looks like an alien to me.”
“Boys and movies,” she said, casting a sidelong glance at her brother and shaking her head.
Ethan studied the painting and felt his shin crawling with goosebumps. “We need to go back Emily.” He whispered, casting a furtive glance backwards. He could not see the entrance of the cave from where they were. They must have wondered off.
“Just a moment,” Emily said as she moved closer to the painting. Ethan cast a worried look backwards and stepped beside his sister.
“What are you—”
“Shh!”
She pointed at the painting. Ethan eyes focused on her fingers and saw what she was pointing at. A tiny cleft was installed halfway above the painting of the warrior. Ethan mopped the sweat on his brow and he stiffened as he saw Emily moved closer to the painting.
“Stop!” he shouted, “You have no idea what that would do.” He grabbed her hand.
She twisted free and pushed the cleft.
“Noo!”
Nothing happened. They both stood there for a minute glancing at each other.
“Well, it was worth a try.”
“Mom will hear of this.” Ethan said in disbelief as he turned and began to walk away.
“Chic—”
A grating sound could be heard coming from right in front of them. They both stopped in their tracks, eyes wide.
“What was that?” Emily squeaked as she scooted closer to her brother and held his hands. Proximity did nothing as their bodies trembled. They slowly turned around and stared at the dead end of the cave. Only that it wasn’t a dead end anymore. They shone their light at the hole and both children screamed.