To Rest, or Not To Rest - Chapter 12

Weeks later, with the air sharp but the sun shining bright. I slipped out, letting my boots crunch against the frost-dusted ground, every step filling me with nerves and excitement. The ocean’s scent grew stronger as I neared the beach. That salty tang of the air felt all too familiar, reminding me of my first encounter with the shore. I slowly trailed my way down the sand, boots sinking within each pit of frosted sand. It was cold, but thanks to the gloves, my hands were comfortable and warm. I’d even taken one of the warming stones Luisa kept in the bathroom for safe measure.

After trekking along the beach for a time, I felt something tell me that I was going along the right trail. I searched high and low on the beach, scavenging for even a sign. It wasn’t until I glanced over by a pile of rocks. The small familiar shell I’d seen over in my dream and imagination multiple times had finally appeared. My heart leaped, “There you are!”

I ran, boots digging into the wet sand. Pushing myself to catch it with this opportunity. The small creature quickly scuttled away, quick and clever. It felt that it was always just out of reach, curse you, small body! It darted between rocks, across small tidepools, and finally, a small jagged cliffside where the waves continuously crashed against the stone. To my surprise, the crab disappeared into a narrow opening in the rock. It was a cave. Hidden and dark. I’d had no idea about its existence until now.

I stopped at the entry, breathless, my hands pressed against the cool stone. This was a cave that had to be well-hidden. My pulse raced. Not just with fear, but with the wild thrill of discovery. The prospect of seeing such a cave brought wonder to my eyes. What would I see? What could be here? My nerves were rattled, but I felt motivated. I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, pulling the gloves on some more, and steadied my breath.

“I’m ready,” I whispered, mostly to myself. And with that, I’d stepped into the cave. Unaware of what could be inside the cave. Other than that crab.

The air inside the cave was damp and cool, carrying an even more potent tang from the salty sea-water. It felt older, more hidden. My boots echoed softly against the stone as I walked, each step taking me deeper than I’d originally meant to go. The light outside dimmed into a hazy glow behind me until only the faint shimmer of moss and dripping water lit the way forward. I tightened my gloves and pulled my bag closer. “Okay, got to find the crab!” I whispered to myself. Pushing along, farther into the cave than I’d intended.

The crab appeared again. Just a flash of its shell around a bend, glimmering like polished pearl. My chest tightened with excitement. “Where are you leading me?” I whispered, following after its shell carefully. The cave floor shifted underfoot, little patches of shell and stone catching my eye in the moment. For some reason, they seemed to stand out much sharper than they should. There was a solid glow around their edges, and my breath was caught by the sudden shine. Words began to spread within my sight, pointing out the many different things in front of me.

“Appraise.”

The word bloomed into my mind as if summoned, and suddenly the faint glow sharpened into understanding. My eyes widened as the tinge from before appeared again. It was the same feeling I’d been chasing for since my first dinner here. Was this it?

“Seashell Fragment: A shard from a worn shell, once home to a creature of the tide. Holds traces of salt within.”

“Mineral Cluster: Veins of stone touched by the sea water. Useful for grinding into powder for salves.”

I blinked hard, my heart raced. “I…I can see them. I can see…!” I whispered. It wasn’t like the words from before. There were descriptions. It was as if the cave itself whispered truth into my head. The appraisal ability I’d thought of before was unlocking piece by piece. Was this the gift that the fish promised me? My eyes were giving meaning to every little thing that was scattered across the ground. I crouched, touching a mineral vein, watching faint threads of light coil around my glove. “So that’s what you are…”

But the crab was already moving again, deeper into the cave. I trailed after, brushing my fingers against stones, shells, even faint marks etched into the walls that pulsed when I passed my gaze over them. Each one had meaning, but the deeper I went, the less I remembered my promise to keep it short. The cave pulled me in like a current, step after step. And then suddenly, there it was again. The crab, except this time, it wasn’t scuttling away casually. It was running. Fast. Its legs clicked frantically against the stone as it darted straight toward me. It’s glows brighter than before.

I crouched down. Reaching instinctively. “Wait…!”

But the crab didn’t stop in front of me. It rushed past my boots and hid behind them. Its shell trembling with faint flickers of light. My stomach dropped. It wasn’t running to me; it was running from something. The cave around me suddenly felt as if it seemed to breathe with each passing moment. The air grew colder, heavier even. A drip of water echoed in the silence. I turned my head slowly toward the deeper shadows of the cave, where the faint light of my ability couldn’t reach.

Something was there…

For the first time since I’d stepped inside of the cave. I realized just how far I’d gone; how little I could see of the exit anymore. My chest rose and fell fast, the crab shivering behind me. I’d reached down and grabbed the small crab, which scuttled up my arm and onto my shoulder with its small legs. I let out a huff of breath, looking down the looming cave walls.

“...What’s in here with us…”