Chapter 40

The cave was a mile away from the beach and as the rangers had suspected, the two kids had walked going there. They had taken a shortcut entering a small path of land into the forest. As they hiked into the trail where most hikers used, they soon found a small cave.

It used to be a miner's haven as small gold rocks could be found in some parts of the cave. Because of this, the state decided to barricade it to ward off some looters. But people still had a way of entering them and seeing the broken two wooden panels at the entrance of the cave, Philip, the state ranger, and two others had concluded that was what the kids had taken out to go in.

"There were two possible exits in the cave. One here," Philip pointed on the entrance of the cave. "And another a few miles away from here. Somebody had probably taken down the planks before them and so they took advantage of it to go inside."

"So there's a possibility they can either go this end or the other only," Robbie said, sounding hopeful.

"Yes, if they can find both."

"What do you mean?"

"The cave gets more complicated inside. It was like a maze. There are about five different passages inside, leaving you in the darkest part if you are not careful."

"Oh god! What if they get stuck inside. My poor baby!" Alex cried. "Sasha!"

She rushed towards the entrance but Robbie held her arm.

"Robbie, I need to go to her," she cried desperately.

"Ma'am, we do understand your concern but it would be safer if you are out here when we retrieved them," Philip said.

"So we're going to stay out here, doing nothing?" her voice raised. "My baby girl is inside possibly lost and crying out for me. But you want me to sit out here and wait for you?"

"It's for everyone's safety, Alex. We don't know how complicated the cave could be and if one of us gets lost inside, it'll be much harder for them to retrieve everybody," Robbie told her.

"But, Robbie..."

"It's okay. We have to trust theses guys, okay," Robbie said as he held her arms and pulled her into an embrace. Alex wrapped her arms around him.

Hope was the only thing they have right now. Hope that somehow their daughter was safe inside. But knowing Sasha, she would surely find a way out of the cave.... if she would only strengthen herself.

Alex knew that Sasha was a determined girl and yet, she was never used to being alone. It had always been the two of them in everything, and picturing her in one corner of the cave, crying, it squeezed her heart.

The mother in her would do everything to kerp her only child safe.

Alex hugged Robbie tighter. She felt more secure having him beside her. It made her feel calm and collected as she had been racking her nerves since the news. She followed his breathing slowly as he whispered in her ear.

"It's okay, Alex. I'm here. She'll be alright," and she buried her face into his shoulder.

****************

"Sasha! Sasha!" a loud male voice echoed through the cave as Sasha squinted her eyes through the darkness, determined to find where it was coming from.

Sasha stood up, using up the remaining battery on her phone, she lit up the way and followed the voice.

"Sasha, where are you?" called the voice.

"Kellan? Kelllan! Where are you?" she called back and walked hurriedly. She needed to find where the voice was coming from. Right now, all she wanted to do was get out of there and be home with her parents.

"Right here," and soon enough a small light came in. A teenage boy's shadow came into view at one side of the wall of the cave.

"Kellan!" and Sasha ran upon recognizing him. She embraced him that got the boy surprised. A small sob came out of the girl as she hugged him tighter.

"Sasha..." and Kellan hugged her back. He could feel her body shook and he felt guilty for leaving her in the dark for so long. "I'm sorry. Were you scared?"

She nodded, then she slapped his chest.

"I hate you!" she cried then she pushed him slightly to wipe her tears. "You left me all alone here."

Kellan smiled and wiped her tears.

"I'm sorry. I didn't know you were gone. I only noticed it when I did not hear you respond at all. So I walked back to where we are and figured you have taken the other passage. Believe me, I was looking for you. I was so worried."

Sasha smiled faintly.

"Now, do you know how to get out of here?" she asked. After that nightmarish ordeal, her adventurous mind had suddenly died down.

"Yes. But first let me show you something," and he took her hand.

Kellan gripped her hand tighter, making sure she would not get lost again. Aside from worrying what Sasha's parents would say about him, he was actually concerned more of Sasha's safety.

When he didn't hear her behind him, he panicked. The last thing he ever wanted was for her to be lost and he couldn't stop himself from having different bad images in his mind of what could have happened to her. So immediately, he went and searched for her. She was his responsibility alone since this was his whole idea.

Kellan was relieved to see her. He was right. She had probably stopped and admired the gemstones. But he wanted to show her a much more interesting sight, the miner's haven. Gold rocks that glistened in every part of the walls as chrystal-like rocks protrude from the ceiling producing different colors.

The cave had always been his sanctuary when he was a little kid. His mother had taken him several times before she passed away when he was about seven. He never knew his father, and his uncle Kenneth had helped raised him along with his grandmother.

But after that meeting with Robbie ten years ago, his uncle just vanished, leaving him wondering what would be his future, and what have they talked about that made his uncle leave.

Robbie had never been different to him even after that. He even helped him financially, but Kellan had always wanted to ask him what really happened that day. Now that he was moving back in with his Aunt Lauren, he found an opportunity to find out.

He wanted to know if Robbie was really gay just like the rumors had said.

Maybe the questions in his head would finally be answered.... Maybe he would be able to understand why his uncle had to leave... and maybe the theory in his head would finally come into light...

That Robbie and his uncle Kenneth had an affair.

But then, how about Sasha? If Robbie had an affair with his uncle then how did he get Alex pregnant? Wouldn't it be weird to have a gay guy "sleep" with a straight woman?

Kellan sighed. Only time would answer his queries, but for now, he wanted to enjoy the moment where he was able to give so much joy to one cute girl accompanying him.

He smiled widely as Sasha's eyes widened in amazement. She might only be ten years old but he could not help but admire her. Her sense of adventure that most teenage girls his age did not exhibit at all, had made him like her even more.

Was it weird to like someone younger than him? But who would resist a girl like Sasha who was not only fun to be with but who admired simple things like this.

If only she was much older then maybe it would be easier to like her, just the way he liked girls his age. But right now, it was enough for him to admire her cuteness as she took one small gold rock that was on the ground and slid it inside the pocket of her dress.

"Kellan? Sasha?" a man in a brown uniform asked them as he approached, flashing the light onto their faces.

Both of the kids shielded themselves from the light as Kellan spoke.

"Yes, that's us."

"I'm Philip, the state ranger. Mr. And Mrs. Magsano have been looking for you."

"Oh no! I'm in so much trouble," Sasha cried. "Kellan..."

"It's okay. I'll explain it to them," and he took her hand. "Let's go and see them."

"Come and follow me," Philip said. Then, speaking on his walkie talkie, he confirmed. "Simon, I got them."

"Okay. I'll let them know," the other ranger turned to Robbie. "Sir, he found them."

"Thank God!" Robbie sighed in relief. "Finally."

Alex released a sigh of relief as well as they both looked at the opening of the cave.

Minutes later, four pairs of legs had come out of the cave. Robbie and Alex couldn't help themselves as they ran towards the kids and embraced them.

"I'm sorry, Mom, Dad. I should have told you before we went," Sasha cried.

"It's okay, honey. What's important is you are both safe," Alex replied.

"It's mostly my fault, Robbie. It was my idea to go in the cave," as Kellan pulled himself back, embarassed. "I'm sorry."

Robbie clasped his shoulder.

"It's okay, Kellan. I'm just glad you're both safe. I'm sure you kept her safe with you as well."

Kellan smiled faintly. Though he knew it was wrong to lie, he would rather not tell them that he almost lost Sasha. He will let Sasha tell them personally. He just hoped they would not get mad at him... especially Robbie.

"Why don't we all go home and rest? I'm sure you're grandmother was worried about you, Kellan. I'll personally take you home so she won't ask more of it," and Robbie winked at him.

"Thanks, Robbie," Kellan replied.

After thanking the rangers, Robbie led everyone to the car. He didn't bother tell Felipe to drive for them awhile ago so now he was on the wheel.

Robbie felt relieved everything was finally over and the mice that were racing inside his chest had finally vanished. He had been trying to calm himself for Alex and this was the only time he was able to breathe normally.

He glanced at Alex who was sitting beside him in the passenger seat. Though they had been arguing earlier, they still comforted each other.

They managed to get past their differences for their daughter and he found himself looking forward for more moments with her...

Good or bad...