A Perhapanauts fan-fic by Mike Estelle
All 'Haps characters copyright Todd and Craig
January, 1885
Eastern
“Are you sure this is the way?”
“Yeah, that’s what that damned Injun said.”
“Well that ‘damned Injun’ prolly would have said anything, I mean for crying out loud, what you did to him….the poor guy’s never gonna be able to have any children.”
“Good we don’t need anymore of ‘em anyhows. But yeah, we should be near it now.”
“Well I hope so, I’m getting tired of the snow and freezing cold.”
“Y’know Joe, if’n I knew you were gonna whine like a little baby the whole way here I woulda left ya back in town.”
“I can’t help it Billy, jus’ bein’ that we ain’t got no money, these clothes are awful crummy to be wearin’ in the middle a’ winter and all.”
“Well jus’ knock it off, I’m tired of hearing you….wait I think I see it! Yeah, it’s right over there! Y’see it?”
“No I can’t see nothing….oh wait yeah I think I do!”
“Holy cow! Check it out, there ain’t no snow around it!”
‘It’ was a medium sized clearing in the woods. Where the whole area was covered in snow, this clearing was clear, not a flake in sight. They stumbled into the clearing, their legs cold and numb from pushing on in the freezing snow for the past few hours. They were looking for an area where there was supposed to be a bottomless hole in the ground, with mystical properties. They couldn’t get any other details, as the local natives wanted nothing to do with it, or them for that matter. Only after kidnapping and torturing one of them were they able to get any information.
“Ok Billy, so we’re here, where’s the blamed hole?”
Wide-eyed Billy pointed and replied, “Get the snow out yer eyes ya fool, it’s right over there!”
They both ran over to what was a large hole in the middle of the clearing. Both stood staring at it, mouths agape. They had actually found it! It was roughly 9 feet in diameter and lined with a retaining wall.
“Hooooleeeee, woul’cha lookit that,“ said Joe. “The Injun was tellin’ the truth. What do you suppose is in there Billy?”
“Not really sure but we’re going to find out, figger what the deal is with this thing. We’ll try to find out what he kept saying about it being mystical but cursed.”
“Well I’m a little weirded out here Billy. We’re all alone and who knows what’s out here.”
“Quit yer belly-achin ya big baby. I really shoulda left you back in town.”
Billy kneeled down and started to inspect the hole. Down a little into the hole it turns from the retaining wall to solid stone but then it gets too dark to see anything else. There seemed to be a strange energy coming from within, almost like a kind of heat but at the same time it wasn’t hot in the area, but it seemed to explain the lack of snow in the clearing.
“I wonder how deep this thing is Billy.”
“Not sure, I brought a little bit of rope so we’ll just have to try and see if we can find out. Maybe if I lower you into it with a torch you can tell me what’s down there.”
“Why do I gotta go down there?”
“Cuz, I’m stronger ’en you ya dummy.”
“Yeah, right, ok. If’n I gotta, that’s what I’ll do then.”
A little while later, rope secured and torch in hand Joe was ready to descend into the hole. While he was scared beyond a doubt he still wanted to do this. Who knows what will happen, and if they find something great they can make a lot of money from it.
“Alrighty Billy, lower me into the hole. Let’s get this going.”
Billy lowered him into the hole and eased him down slowly, when he got to the 300 feet length of the rope he held him there.
“What can you see? What does it look like? Is there a bottom to it?”
He received no answer.
“Gawd Joe, answer me ya fool!”
Still no answer. He proceeded to pull the rope back up and when he was able to see Joe he yelled down again.
“Well what’s down there?!”
Silent still he pulled him out completely, Joe’s face frozen in fear. He smacked him hard across the face.
“C’mon, what’s going on?!”
When he regained his composure Joe replied,” It just keeps going Billy, but there’s something down there.”
“Something? Or someone?”
“Can’t rightly be sure. I couldn’t see anything really, but I sensed something. The hair’s on the back of my neck stood up and I felt all kinda funny. Um, Billy, what’s that over there?”
Turning to where he pointed they both looked in awe as out of thin air a little creature appeared. Before they could react it raised it’s hand at them and the last thing they saw was a bright flash of light and then darkness.
......To Be Continued.........
