Part III

I don’t know how many days, weeks, years have passed exactly. This journal stopped following its main goal, being part of my expedition’s records, a long time ago. It’s just a place for random notes like that now. Being here is nice, people are accepting of me, even though I am a stranger and I am not resembling them at all with my light features, hair, eyes, skin. The problem was not in feeling like ‘home’, because of my job I lost the meaning of this word already. Still my heart couldn’t forget how big my confidence that I am destined to be the greatest researcher in history, and I wanted to achieve that no matter what. I am just not sure when I will be ready to do it, after all I am admitting with a heavy heart that I got close to this community, especially to Ava. I made a mistake, I stopped being an objective observator and got involved instead…

I think they started to realise that I might not want to stay here forever. After twelve years I gathered a lot of material that should be presented to the world. Obviously they wouldn’t like to be discovered, however in my opinion that all ‘not disturbing’ matters could be easily included in an agreement or whatever. While being here the door was open two more times, every four years like I suspected from the beginning. I heard that one every time one person came, but I have never met them and later I heard that they couldn’t adapt like me, so they died right after coming through. I found out about this much later, because they didn’t want to worry me, that I was the only one that survived.

Soon another cycle should end, so I mentioned to Ava that I would like to take this chance to go back to ‘my world’. I lied that I missed some people and I wanted to let them know that I am still alive. We have become friends and there was a high probability she would get wise to me. Her disappointed face didn’t match the sadness, which I saw in her eyes. I remember words she said, because I got thrills. “In that case I don’t think the door will have to be open at all.”

Something changed. Suddenly I became a stranger again and everyone was unfriendly to me. Being observed, followed, suspected. The uncomfortable feeling was getting stronger with every time I was leaving my place, so I stopped. The only person who visited me was the highest priestess. Older, but still stunningly beautiful messenger of bad news for me. We were sitting for a moment facing each other, until she started to tell me the rest of the story. Until this time it ended the moment the One hid his people to protect them. But there was more, and more Ava explained, the more pieces started to match in my head. Everything became obvious.

The One wasn’t the strongest god of their pantheon, but was the only one who helped them, that’s why they only prayed for him. However he was getting weaker every four years so to keep the protection constant he needed an offering, which gave him power to do so. That’s why the cave was more visible and voices audible around that time. All of this was also a great way to lure people like me. The offering must be human, that’s the only condition. Because they didn't want to sacrifice anyone of their own, well here comes idiots like me. The people in the village were descendants of the group, which didn't want to be protected by the One. As a punishment he bonded them with the ground here, so even if they want to run away, they always have such bad luck, so they are back sooner or later. Also the mad man there was only working as a bait and to keep the legend alive. I fell into the trap so easily that I started to laugh hysterically, after she confirmed that the niches were their way to honour the offerings and put in there the most important item for them. Ava lied to me too. And obviously the next one will be destined for me.

It seemed like the human who came became the offering right away, so why didn’t I? At least my friend was kind enough to the end and answered me, that no one else through the thousands years was able to open the door themselves, so I was attractive enough to keep me alive. And with time I happened to be a nice companion to almost make me a part of the community. But if I want to leave, then they cannot let me and it’s already decided that I will be the next offering. It’s surprising that I feel quite calm, maybe because Ava didn’t seem so willing to actually give me to her god. I think she wanted to say that she was disappointed about my decision but also sad, however she cannot show this, because of the position she is holding. I even got a kiss as a goodbye. I am writing this being observed by my friend, who wanted to give me a chance to make the journal even more special and promised me that right before my death she will let me write down one last word. I will think about it carefully. Now it’s time to finish the last expedition of mine.

DON’T

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You could say about William Wallace Junior that he was arrogant, egocentric and being too confident in belief of his genius, however you couldn’t deny his charming charisma and skills to talk so passionately about archaeology that it mesmerized every listener. One of them was, then a middle schooler - Alec Greenwood, now a young doctor on his mission to find out what happened to the legendary researcher, who he had met briefly as a kid and chosen as his hero. Youngster’s intuition told him to check the journal first, but even if he could read the last message or even understand who the item belonged to, his fate was already decided. The corridor was already closed and the noise filled the hall. The door was getting open.