Joshua and Casey drove through the end of Barritarie, now heading onto a rough quarry road. This part of Old Providence had less order.

  “I wonder what your old man found?”

  “He didn’t say. He won’t even send me a picture.”

  Joshua smiled and slowed the truck just as the potholes grew larger.

  “I think Henry could’ve done a better job cutting this road.”

  “Yeah, this is messed up.”

  White bushes pushed to each side were covered in dust. It was windy outside, carrying dust onto the windshield too.

  “Casey, I think he didn’t compact the road.”

  “Me too.”

  Casey shifted in his seat to glance at his phone. He usually would’ve had a few texts from his girlfriend by now.

  Joshua sighed. “Don’t worry, kid. You’re a good-looking guy with a good head on your shoulders. She’s easy to replace. Trust me. You’ve got a lot to see.”

  “Well, I believe you. She already moved on anyway.”

  Joshua glanced over. “What a bitch.” They laughed.

  The road up the mountain suddenly became smoother. Smooth enough to hear the music playing on the radio now. An upbeat pop song.

  After a little while of silence, Casey started humming along.

  Joshua spoke and picked up speed. “Henry started compacting the road from the top-down.”

  “If you think about it, it makes sense.”

  They made small talk on their way up the mountain. Casey felt his wristband vibrate, but it showed no color. He decided to leave it alone.

  Raising his phone to see if it had been a message again, he saw the picture. He had a good smile in their picture together. His face was brighter back then, too. Before Old Providence’s sun had darkened his skin. Nadene looked annoyed in the photo—angry about something, like always.

  Casey bit his lip. He tapped the screen, swiped a few times, and changed the screensaver to a plain white background. That was simpler. So much cleaner.

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  As they rounded the last turn, a very large cave came into view, and a parking area had been cleared opposite it. Several cars and trucks were already parked up. All were white or blue, with Knowles on the sides.

  Casey said, “Let’s just see what these nerds are up to.”

  Joshua raised an eyebrow. “You should talk?”

  He reversed the truck into an open spot. They wore blue jumpsuits. Casey’s had filled out nicely. The Knowles name spread across his back, popping on his muscles.

  “Kid, you’re a giant like your dad,” Joshua said and smiled.

  “I just need money like him.”

  “Whatever, kid.” Joshua shook his head and smiled.

  The wind was nice and cool. Some gray clouds were rolling over the mountains. An earthy smell came along on the wind.

  Casey made his way to the backseat, removing two silver briefcases. They made their way over to the cave, white quarry crunching beneath their boots.

  “You know, you can ask your dad to let you come out with me tonight? We can work on getting that girl off your mind.”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  “You just don’t like going out, do you?”

  “No.”

  The entrance arched forty feet. Stalactites dripped water from its lips. Casey saw that even more were dripping down its throat. The elves had carved steps down the long path.

  “Look up, kid.” Light, less than outside, came through holes carved in the mountain top.

  “You see the lenses? We’ll have to clean them to see how this place really looks.”

  “Those fishes are really creepy, man.” Voices came up the walkway.

  “I’ve never seen a fish glow like that.”

  “Yeah, and every time I get closer they hiss.”

  Casey heard his dad. “Every time I get closer my band starts turning purple, like I’m using a spell.”

  Joshua and Casey made it to an open area. The area had cleaner lenses. They painted the cavern a golden glow. An altar depicting elves, and a few strange figures stood in its center. And a few white, ruined buildings lay in waste around them.

  The place was beautiful. Moss clung to the white stones. The smell of earth mixed with the sound of water trickling to the floor. All of it comfortable to be near.

  Joshua turned to his dad first, pulling Casey’s mind back to the task. John waved them over. Tall and broad, hair cut short like Casey’s, skin only a little more darkened by the sun. He was still a bright man. They shared almost every feature.

  Casey and Joshua climbed the carved steps, briefcases rattling as they moved. Passing sculptures of elves on the way up. Something gave off a blue light directly behind John. Some guys in white uniforms and black dress pants were up there too. Obviously the voices from earlier.

  Casey hadn’t worked for his dad’s company very long. During his time with them, he’d only worked alongside Joshua, so he didn’t recognize the men.

  “They’re here to do a second look for the Urban Renewal group,” John said. “The government wants a second opinion on the budget Henry and I proposed.”

  His dad smiled and stepped aside. “This is actually what I wanted you to see.”

  The fish hissed as Casey and Joshua stepped closer. Casey swore one of them looked dead into his eyes—blue glowing eyes on blue glowing creatures. The intense light made the fifteen-foot pool glow harshly. They were much bigger than any fish he’d ever seen. The pool’s depth looked endless.

  Joshua tripped and fell on his hip as he backed up—very likely staining his jumpsuit.

  John reached down, both of them smiling, as he pulled him up. Casey stood there in absolute shock.