Chapter 9 : Lincoln (Past)

Lincoln tapped on a specific spot on the rock stuck to the side of the mountain. Shortly after, the doorway, which to other mountain passers would seem like a face of the mountain, parted for Lincoln. He spotted Dexter inside, working on the interior of the cave, pushing the furniture around making the place feel more like home to Lincoln. Dexter had always been a good designer, and would always love things to be perfect.

The sound of the rock shifting alerted Lincoln's friend making him turn around to face Lincoln. The corners of his face lifted, "It works?!" He asked, barely able to contain his excitement.

Lincoln nodded proudly.

It had already been a month since Lincoln and Dexter had fallen into this cave. They'd dug themselves out using their ice axes, and when they finally came outside, they saw that their fall had been big and they were back to where they started. Lincoln couldn't believe they had survived; it could've just been the snow cushioning their fall.

Since that day Lincoln had been feeling a strange connection to the cave. He would always find himself standing in front of it whenever he goes for a walk. This connection felt so pure as if it was calling out to him like a mother would call a child. He'd often sneak out to find some peace and solitude. Then one day Dexter caught him sneaking out. Lincoln explained why he would go to the cave from time to time. Dexter then came up with a crazy idea to renovate the cave to make it feel more like home.

After getting the right tools they spent the next couple of weeks renovating the cave. He made a secret door, a rock that parted if someone would tap on a specific spot on a rock with the right amount of force.

"You could build a lot more inventions for the cave. Naomi would be impressed." Dexter teased. Lincoln blushed and turned around to close the door. The large rock used as the doorway then slid shut. Dexter chuckled as he pushed the couch towards the wall of the cave with a grunt. "Now we would just need a nice round council table and this would look just like a guild room," Dexter said as Lincoln configured with the cave's interface so that it would close after a few seconds of being opened. He shut the panel and stood up.

"Then we would need a guild. It would be weird for just us two to have a table like that." Lincoln said, trying to hide the fact that he didn't want Dexter spending so much money on the cave, despite his friend coming from a rich and reputable family.

"I mean... A lot of people have groups and clubs these days. They form one and have a party to make it official. It would be cool if we form one too. We could also be the most advanced of them all since we would have a secret base." Dexter suggested. "Depends on who we let in," Lincoln said, now interested in Dexter's idea. "Destry, Sally, Naomi. If we could maybe even Ash. We always hang out together, it's unfortunate they missed out on our last hiking trip." Dexter said. "Actually, it's good that they did. This trip wasn't the best." Lincoln said with a chuckle.

Dexter laughed and nodded. "Yeah, good point. But that aside, it's worth a try. Let's go get them once I'm done with making this place our second home." Dexter said with a chuckle. "And getting that council table," Lincoln added playfully. "If you're serious, sure," Dexter replied and looked at Lincoln with a confused look.

Lincoln laughed, "No, no. But if you want. I mean it's your call." Lincoln said and looked away. "Because I'm rich." Dexter deadpanned. "N-no, nothing like that," Lincoln replied defensively.

Dexter didn't like being rich. He wanted to be on the same level as Lincoln. However, when it comes to helping others, he would love to use his money. Lincoln, however, couldn't stop himself from teasing Dexter about it sometimes. "Maybe." He added with a smirk. Dexter only groaned in reply and moved to the largest couch. "Let's just get done with this and get everyone." He said as he pulled the couch onto the carpet. "Need help?" Lincoln asked. "I thought you'd never ask," Dexter replied playfully.

After an hour, they were finally done with the interior and Lincoln admired it for a moment. Two weeks ago, he would have walked into a dark cave, sit down and play soft music until he slept. But now he could just live here. He felt grateful for his friend's support in all this. How he was willing to spend money to do something like this, and how his ideas played a big part in making this cave feel more welcoming. Lincoln couldn't call this place a cave anymore. Home, it felt right to call this place home. Lincoln wondered why.

"That's some serious tech," Dexter said once the door shut completely.

Lincoln turned around to look behind them. "I hope we don't lose this place because I can't seem to distinguish the door and other parts of the mountain," Dexter added with a chuckle. "Thanks? And that's what that rock over there is for." Lincoln pointed at a rock that seemed a little out of place. "I made it so it is recognizable, it doesn't look like the other rocks attached to the mountain, yet it doesn't stand out much either," Lincoln said.

They walked another ten minutes in silence. "We really need to get that table," Dexter said with a whistle, Lincoln just shrugged. He didn't know how much it'd cost, or if Dexter was serious at all, but it would give the club a nice touch.

The next few minutes were also a blur, but they arrived at their friend Destry's house. He knocked on the door a few times before it was answered. "Hey, guys, what brings to this fine morning," Destry asked to Lincoln's amusement. "Drop the formalities," Dexter said and entered the house, Lincoln followed.

Destry closed the door behind them, he had blonde hair just like Lincoln's. But unlike Lincoln, he had sea-blue eyes, while he had coffee brown. His bulky form showed how much their friend worked out when they weren't around. He scratched his head in confusion, "No, I mean it though. You guys barely came here. It must be something." Destry asked. Dexter scoffed, "What do mean we barely come here? We visit whenever we can, and that's a lot." Dexter said defensively. "Not enough to lose track counting them," Destry replied with a shrug. Dexter opened his mouth to reply but Lincoln interrupted the conversation.

"We're planning on forming a club. We wanted to invite you and the others." Lincoln said. Destry squinted his eyes, "I knew it was something, and okay I admit I didn't expect this. But sure! Why not? Life's been boring and a change would be nice." Destry replied to the other's surprise. "Just like that?" Dexter asked. "Just like that." He answered.

Lincoln sighed, "I don't think getting others would be so easy." He added. Destry nodded, "Especially Ash." "Maybe, but getting Sally would be easy." Dexter countered. Both Destry and Lincoln had to roll their eyes at this. "What? Just because we're together doesn't mean that she'll listen to everything I tell her to do!" Dexter said defensively. "I said nothing," Lincoln replied. "And you said it'll be easy." Destry challenges. There they go again. Lincoln thought with another sigh.

"Okay guys, we're going off track here. We need to get them today, see if they would accept. Won't be easy, but we can probably agree to something. They are after all our friends. I'll go get Naomi, Dexter gets Sally and Destry good luck with Ash. Let's meet up in the hideout." Lincoln instructed. "Why should I get Ash? What? A hideout?" Destry said, with a confused look. "Dexter knows the location to it," Lincoln added.

"Okay then, let's go. See you there." Destry said and rushed out of the house. "Trying to get a head start on Ash huh?" Dexter said, shaking his head. "He might want to be the first to get them," Lincoln replied, and Dexter laughed. "Let's see then." He said and ran out. Lincoln sighed and walked outside, shutting the door behind him and locking it. "Would have to give this to Destry later." He told himself and placed the key in his pocket.

Lincoln got a bad feeling convincing Naomi won't be so easy. And he would also end up doing something in return, which he most likely would not enjoy. He sighed and walked on the path to Naomi's house.