The Tunnel

By C A James

Two sets of twins are determined to solve a local mystery regarding a very old tunnel. No one knows where it ends. At the tunnel's end a new world welcomed them. Many strange animals enthralled them. And something terrible stalked them. Little did they know that once they entered this tunnel, their lives and that of their families would change forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: C A James
• Release date: Nov 15, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311966438

C A James

I love to write, especially anything to do with adventure and fantasy. My six grandchildren provide much inspiration. Sewing, knitting, drawing, exploring, are also creative outlets of mine. Swimming in rivers and lakes surrounded by forests give rise to unending imaginings that beg the pen to touch the paper. I live in Spokane, Washington with my husband, Steve and our good friend from West Africa, Paulina. Family and friends are a constant and joyful part of my life. I grew up in Maple Valley, Washington. Experiences there; roaming the woods and braving the icy waters of the Cedar River also provide some of the material used in my writing. Living near the rain forest of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington state as an adult also contributes to a great story.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

The tunnel was an eerie sight. A lone passerby could easily imagine fairies and otherworldly creatures flitting about the dark crevices and peering out from behind the ghostly tendrils of moss and other flora that grew in the dank blackness. The once rushing water of the creek bed had vanished, replaced by cracked earth leading up to the cavernous mouth of the tunnel. Small rocks and imposing boulders promised a stumble, and blocked entry for the unwary. Lush moss and overhanging vines rustled in the moist, cool air.

A whisper of promise and adventure floated softly through the dense forest. Steeped in tall tales, this made the perfect spot for the more adventuresome children. But even the bravest of children only dared to venture in a short way before running out in fright.

There were four children in particular who were very intrigued with this tunnel. No one seemed to know when or why it had been built. It was very old, maybe even ancient, but well constructed with tightly fitted rock. These children had no way of knowing that what would start out as a normal day for them and for their parents would forever change the lives of everyone involved.

Identical twins Matthew and Michael could hardly sleep in anticipation of the upcoming day. They were nine years old, Matthew being the eldest by three minutes. Their best friends, Autumn and Audrey, were also identical twins. The girls were ten years old, Autumn being the eldest by two minutes. The four had a common bond that other children with siblings of different ages didn’t quite understand. So, although the children had other friends, too, they never took anyone else to their secret place, the tunnel.

The sun’s morning light had barely begun filtering into the children’s rooms, waking them all around the same time. School was out for the summer. They had been planning their daring adventure for weeks now. Autumn brushed Audrey’s hair and then Audrey brushed Autumn’s, as was their habit. When the girls were babies, their mother, Susan, would stroke their hair while softly singing to them. The comfort this provided stuck with the girls. This became a part of the morning getting ready ritual.

Matthew and Michael got ready quickly but neither one combed his hair, as was their particular habit. It stuck out in various places, completely unnoticeable to either boy.

Where are Mom and Dad? asked Michael when they reached the empty kitchen.

Mom is still sleeping and Dad is gone to work, said Matthew. The boys’ mother was usually up and busy before the sun came up, but lately she seemed tired a good share of the time. They had learned to let her rest if she was in tired mode, as they called it.

Let’s just leave Mom a note. We’ll let her know we’re with Autumn and Audrey, said Matthew.

I’ll write it, said Michael. He taped the note to their refrigerator as they always did. The boys threw peanut butter sandwiches together, grabbed two water bottles, and jackets in case the tunnel was cold even in late spring. Most important of all, they brought flashlights with extra batteries. All these things they stuffed into backpacks.

The girls made similar preparations, but with a little more care when it came to food. They also brought purses, one purple and one green. Autumn wrote her mother a note. When she woke up, Susan would know they were with their two best friends.

The boys rushed out the back door, barely remembering to close and lock it. They briskly walked down the country road to the meeting place. This special place was off the road and on a trail about thirty feet into the woods. It had large gnarled roots above ground from the old fir trees that helped shelter the children from view if someone happened by on the road. The boys finally arrived at the small, sunken clearing that was at the trail’s end. They each sat on a large root conveniently serving as a bench and waited. The late spring day was an unusually sunny one for the Olympic Peninsula. Streams of light bathed the boys in warmth as they sat.

Autumn and Audrey arrived at the trail shortly after the boys had sat down. They carefully picked their way over the gnarled roots. It wasn’t long before all were together. Eager smiling faces greeted each other. Before embarking into the unknown, all four children agreed that it would be prudent to hold hands and solemnly state, One for all and all for one. After having done this, all four bravely swallowed the lumps in their throats and continued on to the tunnel.

Autumn was the first to break the silence. In a voice a little louder than a whisper she said, I heard Mom and Dad talking the other day about the tunnel.

What did they say? asked Matthew and Michael.

They said most parents have forbidden their kids to play in that part of the woods,Autumn replied.

Why is that? asked the boys.

Audrey was silent as she listened. It seemed that the beating of her heart was louder than the voices of the other three.

Well, continued Autumn, it seems that long, long ago, about thirty years ago, a man who loved exploring caves decided to find out, once and for all, how long the tunnel is and where it goes. All eyes, large as saucers, were riveted upon Autumn.

What happened to him? all three asked in a whisper.

Dad said that professional trackers with bloodhounds searched the area. They found footprints in the mud between the bank and the rocks on the bottom of the creek. The dogs picked up his scent and followed it right into the tunnel. Autumn swallowed hard as she continued. The trackers and the dogs were gone for about three hours when they lost the man’s scent.

Didn’t they find anything that might have belonged to him, like a shoe, a wallet, or maybe his hat? asked Matthew.

Not a thing, Autumn replied.

Finally Audrey found her voice. Should we be doing this? she whispered.

Michael spoke up. I think we should finally solve this mystery. We have all day.

Autumn said, Let’s agree that we all stick together. I have my watch on; it’s now seven-twenty a.m. Let’s go through the tunnel until, let’s say, eleven-thirty. If we still haven’t found the end, let’s agree right now that no matter what, we’ll turn around and come back. That way we will be home by three-thirty. That’s when our parents want us home anyway.

We like that idea, said the boys. Three pairs of eyes looked questioningly at Audrey. What about you, Audrey? Michael asked.

Audrey blinked wide, frightened eyes. I guess so.

The friends were almost at the place on the road where they squeezed through bushes before they entered the dark part of the woods. Vegetation grew so thick their view was limited to just a few feet. In just a matter of minutes they emerged through brush to the bank leading down to the creek bottom. All eight feet stepped into the moist soil, leaving behind the only thing that would remain of them, their footprints…

CHAPTER 2

As they stood at the entrance of the tunnel, all four silently stared at one another, then grabbed hold of each other’s hands. Each child swallowed hard. They turned their flashlights on and entered the tunnel all at the same time. Matthew and Michael glanced at each other, each noticing a fearful glint in the other’s dark brown eyes. Autumn and Audrey also glanced at each other. Large, light brown eyes mirrored concern.

Autumn spoke first. Maybe we should just use one flashlight at a time, to conserve power, just in case.

The others agreed. Only one flashlight illuminated their path. Never before had they seen so clearly what the tunnel actually contained. The hanging moss from the top of the tunnel hung like wispy, greenish-gray spider webs.

Autumn was sure she saw movement within that moss, but she said nothing. If the others noticed, they too remained silent. The floor of the tunnel, as they already knew, was littered with rocks, sticks, and moist dirt. It smelled damp and faintly of mildewed earth. Moss crept down the sides of the tunnel as well. So far things seemed harmless enough.

Let’s walk two and two. suggested Autumn. Audrey and I will go first since we’re the oldest. You boys can walk behind.

But we’re the boys! We’ll go first! protested Matthew and Michael in unison.

Oh, big deal, so you’re boys. We’re the oldest so we go first, insisted the girls.

Okay, you win. But we were just trying to keep you safe. You’ll be the monster bait! teased Matthew.

Autumn and Audrey smiled at their friends and tossed their waist-length light brown hair at the same time as they continued forward. The boys dutifully followed behind. They picked their way carefully over the debris. The aroma lingered in their nostrils. Moldy and moist, the heavy air just seemed to hang stagnant and old.

Cupping his hands around his mouth, Michael let out a war whoop meant to echo through the tunnel for the entertainment of himself and his friends. Matthew knew what his brother was about to do but the girls didn’t.

Autumn and Audrey screamed as they jumped nearly high enough to bang their heads on the tunnel’s ceiling. They both turned toward Michael, furious. Don’t do that, Michael!

I was just having fun, he laughed.

It’s a little too scary in here to be just having fun, snorted Autumn angrily.

Michael hung his head in mock shame. Sorry, we did offer to lead, you know! he teased.

As they silently proceeded on, the moldy scent grew steadily stronger, soon becoming an unpleasant stench. Autumn and Audrey looked back at Matthew and Michael with wrinkled noses. Both boys had their noses pinched tight. The girls hesitated, looking back toward the light that opened to the outside.

Keep going, don’t look back, said both boys. The girls reluctantly complied. Soon all were holding their noses. The nauseating smell grew stronger until it became almost unbearable. Suddenly, up ahead about twenty feet, a large brown lump loomed up in the darkness. This had to be the source of the stench. They all stood still, not speaking or daring to move. Yet all four children felt their insatiable curiosity urging them to continue forward. What on earth was that lump?

Matthew was the first to speak. You don’t think it’s… it’s… the man? he gulped.

No way! Dead bodies don’t stink after thirty years! the girls responded promptly. But since we’re here, it’s up to us to find out what it actually is. Come on! We’re going forward.

They continued on slowly. The stench was almost burning their eyes and made for queasy stomachs. Soon they stood over the brown lump.

Oh, cried the girls. The poor, poor thing.

I know who it is, gasped Michael.

Who? asked the others.

It’s old man Hanson’s dog. I was planting his spring flowers for him five days ago and he said his dog, Old Blue, was missing. He was worried because Blue was so old. said Michael sadly.

I’ve heard that sometimes dogs just go away to die when it’s time, said Audrey. Do you suppose he just died because he was old?

Yes, I think so. I mean, why else would he be dead? asked Autumn.

They all silently hoped that’s why Old Blue was dead.

We can’t leave him without a funeral. He was a nice dog, said Matthew. Let’s bow our heads in a moment of silence.

They all agreed and silently bowed their heads. However, because of the overpowering smell, it was a very short moment. The children continued forward, a little more hurried now, wanting to leave behind the hideous odor and what remained of poor Old Blue.

As they walked, the eerie silence loomed all around them. Autumn glanced up; she was sure she noticed movement again in that wispy moss. The air was still stagnant and heavy, but the stench was beginning to fade.

Let’s sing a round, guys, she suggested.

We don’t want to sing, said Matthew.

I know, let’s tell scary stories, Michael proposed.

Not in here! exclaimed the girls.

They continued to argue and since they couldn’t agree on an activity to pass the time, they simply kept up their march, determined more than ever to find the end of the tunnel.

Closed off from the world of light, fresh air, their friends, and their parents, they soon became too frightened to talk. Time seemed to drag on and the air became increasingly stale, making it hard to draw a full breath. The children were beginning to feel tired as they trudged on and on.

Suddenly Autumn and Audrey stopped and turned around. There’s no light ahead, and now there’s no light behind!

It was suddenly very hard to breathe, when the flashlight began to flicker off and on. Panic began to take over, all four forgetting the spare flashlights in their packs.

Quick! exclaimed Autumn. Get the new batteries out while we can still see a little!

They fumbled with the new batteries, still in the package. Autumn took the old battery out. Matthew was ready to put the new one in. In that split second of darkness a scream shot through the tunnel.

There was a loud clank, and more frantic screams.

It’s on my head! screamed Matthew.

At that moment, the others knew that the sound they heard was the battery hitting the floor of the tunnel. Six hands immediately began to frantically search the tunnel’s floor for the lost battery. Matthew’s hysterical screams continued. At last Michael felt the battery’s shape in his fingers.

I’ve got it! he shouted.

I have the flashlight, said Autumn. Hurry up.

The two felt through the darkness to find each other. Together they were able to put in the new battery but when Autumn slid the switch on nothing happened. They realized it must be in backwards. Enshrouded in darkness and with trembling fingers they carefully took it out, turned it around, and pushed it in.

Matthew’s screams continued to pierce their ears. This time when Autumn slid the switch the light came on and they shuddered at what they saw. On Matthew’s head was a big black spider, almost the size of a dinner plate. It blended well with Matthew’s dark hair and it seemed to be holding on for dear life while Matthew jumped into various contortions and screamed. His voice was growing hoarse. There were several more huge, shiny black spiders scrambling back to the top of the tunnel and hiding in the wispy moss.

Autumn hit the spider off Matthew’s head with the flashlight. The spider let out a startled, high-pitched scream as it landed on the side of the tunnel with a thud.

Momentarily stunned, the spider was eerily still. Jumping to life, it scurried up the moss, disappearing into the inky blackness above. Matthew could only shudder and gasp; terror over what had transpired left him speechless. He could only emit tiny, terrified squeaks between his gasping breaths. The children encircled him with their arms.

It’s okay now, they murmured reassuringly. The spiders don’t like the light. They’ll stay hidden now, Autumn told him, patting his back to help him calm down.

You didn’t get bit, did you? asked Michael.

No… no…I’m okay now, Matthew gasped.

Should we forget it and go back now? asked Audrey.

Autumn spoke up first. We can go a little further and if we don’t see light soon we can turn around.

All agreed, but Matthew said, One thing we really need to do is make sure we are never, and I do mean never, in the dark again. Before this flashlight goes out or even before it gets close, we should use one of the others. And I am going to keep the backup flashlight in my hand, just in case.

Good idea, they all said.

Autumn, what time do you have now? asked Audrey.

Oh, I forgot to check. We do need to keep track of the time so we get back home when we’re supposed to, Autumn replied.

Yeah, I don’t want Mom and Dad to worry, Matthew said.

Autumn glanced at her watch. Her expression startled the others.

What is it? they asked.

Look at this,Autumn stammered. What does it mean?

The hands of the watch were turning faster and faster, moving forward too rapidly to be accurate.

That’s crazy, said Michael.

Do you think it’s something magnetic? asked Audrey.

I don’t know, whispered Autumn. We’ll just have to guess at the time. We’re not going to go forward much longer anyway.

That’s true. Let’s just get going and get this over with, said Matthew. His hands trembled as he spoke.

They moved forward, keeping wary eyes focused above as they walked on. After what couldn’t have been more than five minutes, Autumn stopped. Look at my watch now. It read eleven ten.

We’ll be on time. How about it, guys? asked Audrey.

The others agreed, walking forward with renewed confidence. They had enough light, food, and water for the rest of the journey.

At eleven-thirty let’s eat and drink a bit before we start back, said the girls.

Sounds good, the boys agreed. After the moment of panic earlier, they felt back in control of their circumstances. It would be simple, twenty more minutes of walking, have a brief picnic, rest their feet, and then go back the way they came.

Let’s sing now, Audrey, Autumn suggested.

Yeah, why not sing for the last twenty minutes, the boys agreed.

The girls started singing, White coral bells upon a slender stalk, lilies of the valley deck my garden walk…

Matthew and Michael listened to their friends sing, still feeling unnerved about the spiders above. There were only twenty more minutes to endure, however, and they would be headed back home. What could go wrong?

* * *

Back at the tunnel’s entrance, the parents of Matthew and Michael and Autumn and Audrey were gathered. It was eleven p.m. and all four kids were missing. The sheriff was present, along with trackers and bloodhounds. Neighbors also had volunteered to help search.

Old man Hanson found the remains of his dog, Old Blue, at the placewhere the children’s scent disappeared.

They were definitely in the tunnel, the sheriff told the parents. But they must have come back out. We’ll keep looking and we’ll find them. We won’t stop until we do.

The sheriff gestured emphatically. The parents, however, were inconsolable. All but Rose refused to go home; she was simply too weak to continue the search. Glen took his wife home, then rejoined the others searching. The only signs of their children’s whereabouts were eight little footprints left in the soft dirt near the tunnel entrance.

CHAPTER 3

Inside the tunnel, the children kept walking briskly. They knew if they didn’t find the end of the tunnel in twenty minutes, that would be it. None was adventuresome enough to try it again. They had no way of knowing that time had passed much differently for their parents than it had for them.

As minutes passed for the children, hours were passing for the parents and their little community. Soon laminated fliers with pictures of the two sets of twins papered the entire town. The wind blew one of the fliers about thirty feet into the tunnel, where it settled in the moist soil. After a while, the clay-like soil covered it perfectly and preserved all but a crumpled corner left sticking out of the dirt.

Autumn checked her watch again. It was eleven-twenty and still no light peeked in at the darkness inside. After walking about ten minutes more, they sat down to eat and drink. Matthew nervously kept shining the light at various parts of the tunnel. As he shone the light in the opposite direction from where they were headed, Michael suddenly shrieked and jumped up. This elicited a startled screech from the other three. Matthew nearly overpowered both girls’ voices with his own terrified yelp.

What is it? What is it? they asked.

Shine your light backwards again, Matthew, gasped Michael.

Matthew did so, and they all looked forward into the darkness. There it was. Far up ahead, but plainly visible, was a tiny pinpoint of light at the other end of the tunnel. Autumn and Audrey immediately called a conference.

Okay, it’s time to start back, but we do see the end, said Autumn. I for one will not be coming this way again. If we go forward we will for sure be late, but maybe just this once it would be worth it.

Yeah, said Audrey, we might worry our parents for a few hours but we could solve the tunnel mystery. Matthew and Michael agreed.

Once again they repeated their slogan, One for all and all for one. With a feeling of trepidation, Matthew, Michael, Autumn, and Audrey moved forward toward the pinpoint of light. They walked and walked, forgetting about food and drink. They were determined to see this adventure to completion, no matter what.

Hey, everybody, said Matthew, breathe deep.

They all did. The air seemed fresher. The pinpoint of light became larger, about the diameter of a pencil now, and very bright. They walked faster, completely forgetting about the time. The light was getting brighter and larger.

After several hours, Audrey and Autumn said, We really need a rest.What do you say, guys?

We do too, said the boys.

They sat down and Audrey passed around apples and cheese. The boys shared the last of their water. The girls knew they had brought enough water for themselves and the boys for the return trip, so no one worried about a shortage. As they sat in companionable silence, Matthew said, Does everyone feel it?

All strained to feel what Matthew was talking about. Then their eyes met.

A slight breeze, they said in unison.

I think there’s a kind of flowery smell, said Audrey.

Let’s get going! they shouted. Food and water bottles got quickly stuffed into backpacks, and they took off at a trot. The light continued growing brighter, the breeze more noticeable, and the fragrance now permeated the tunnel. Excitement grew as they approached the tunnel’s opening. Arriving at their destination, they stood there, breathless, mouths dropped open in disbelief at the sight before them.

CHAPTER 4

Their senses were sharpened after having been in the bowels of the tunnel for so long. Vegetation like nothing they had ever seen before greeted their eyes. Bright green and yellow fronds thirty and forty feet high grew prolifically. Graceful leaves wound up from their stems toward the bright blue sky. Huge, colorful flowers sat at the tops. Wide trees that must have been thousands of years old loomed so high it was hard to see the tops. Smaller bushes adorned the ground closer to the size of the children. A melody of chirping sounds filled the air, but they couldn’t tell if it came from insects, birds, or both.

They stood at the opening, surveying their surroundings.

It’s just, just… Audrey stammered.

Beautiful, finished Autumn with an amazed smile on her face.

Sure is, said the boys.

In his excitement, Michael started to leap out of the tunnel. Matthew grabbed him by his collar.

Hey! protested Michael. I wanna explore.

We will, Michael, but first we need another conference before we step out.

Everyone looked very serious.

You know our parents are going to be sick with worry. It’s very late now and even if we started back right now, it’ll be dark before we get home,Matthew reminded him. Since we know we’re already super late, I vote that we explore for an hour or two, decide on some things to take back with us, then we get ourselves home.

Everyone agreed.

Michael added, And then we’d better never do anything like this again.

We will be in so much trouble, we won’t even want to do anything like this again, agreed Audrey.

Autumn looked at her watch. It was now five past two p.m. At least our parents aren’t looking for us yet,she said.

They all sighed.

Let’s say it, guys, said Matthew.

They held hands again, and repeated