A tarot reader aids a mysterious man who believes she is the only one who can help him return to his true home in the eerie Manaan caverns where they must fight the natural and supernatural to stay alive.
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Maxine Shepard is a tarot reader who h...
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After a week of research and compiling the necessary gear, we were set to embark on our journey. However, some were readier than others, which was an issue since we were all looking up at the gaping mouth of the Manaan Cavern.
The entire week we prepared ourselves for the day long excursion through the ancient cave by meeting up at a local coffee shop. Arturo Madrid was just excited to see me then as he was now. Even as he held onto Cecil's hand lovingly, he would occasionally catch my eye before quickly looking away as if caught staring in awe at some celebrity. Even though his thick Hispanic accent made me focus in on his words, he didn't speak much, choosing to observe instead.
What Cecil told him about me to get him to react that way was up to debate. Still, a few glances here and there from him had a way of turning a once endearing encounter into a few awkward moments.
"I just told him how awesome you are with your visions," she had assured me with a cunning grin. "Seriously, Max. I swear."
I was more inclined to believe she told him I was getting visions directly from a god or some strange extraterrestrial being. Judging by his stares, I wouldn't put it past him to think I was a mystical deity or some kind of creature from another dimension. That was far from the truth.
Even though I had explained how we all possess an ability to tap into our intuition and use it to guide our lives, Cecil was adamant about us getting that ability from somewhere or someone more spiritually advanced than us.
I wasn't one to argue. Disputing someone else's spiritual beliefs never fared well for anyone, especially for me and Samuel.
Samuel, a childhood friend who always had my front, back and side decided to part ways with me after finding Brent, the love of his life, and renouncing his faith. The sole reason that hurt me so much was because I accepted him no matter what he decided to do or believe in, but he proved he couldn't say the same of me.
An overall good guy, he couldn't see himself entertaining the thought of me being "a witch." Suggesting that seeing the future is not natural and seemed downright Satanic. However, having him standing at my left decked out in his helmet, gear and backpack melted my heart a bit.
Actions always speak louder than words.
Samuel seemed to be the most ready by teetering on the edge of over prepared and ridiculously cliché, with everything from helmet lights and their backup batteries to toilet paper in his pack. Meanwhile, Blamore was definitely the most unprepared. Refusing to bring anything with him but the clothes on his back and a half empty bottle of water. I wasn't worried, I had brought enough food and equipment for both of us for the day and insisted he wore the boots I provided.
As for Jace? I was surprised yet thankful that he decided to be on board. Surprised because during that awkward phone call he had seemed unsure, later claiming exploring a mysterious cave sounded more exciting than several hours at the gym. Still, I was thankful that everything was going as planned.
