36. Chapter Thirty Six

My eyes slowly adjust to the darkness as the lichen glows brighter. My chest constricts as I stare at the thick blue-white wall blocking the entrance to the cave. Unable to contain Lemon, he runs down my neck, along my body, and leaps onto the ground. He chitters at me in approval, but I can't begin to contemplate what it means—his excitement and being lost underground. He scampers away from me, investigating into the cave, while I look at the closed entrance before me.

"Fuck," I swear, frantically scrambling at the wall.

"Aramis! Nero!" I scream, pounding against the blockade of snow, but silence echoes back. My heart starts to race as I grab my dagger and start stabbing the snow. A small chunk breaks free, and I sigh with relief. I continue to dig and stab, creating a small tunnel. All I need is to create enough space so they can hear me. They have to be alive.

A warm thread tugs deep in my core, then a phantom wind brushing along my skin.

Aramis…

He has to be alive. I don't know how, but I can feel him, sense him. I hear Lemon chittering further along the path, in what almost seems like a beckoning call, but I'm too distressed to pay attention.

Another rumble above me causes me to pause, counting down the seconds. Is that another avalanche?

"Aramis! Are you there?" I shout out, one more time.? "Nero! I'm here–on the other side! Can you hear me?" The earth surrounding me shudders and I frantically dig again until I'm forced to step back as a large pile of snow falls in, pushing me further back into the cave and filling into the small progress I had made.

"Fuck fuck fuck!" I yell, throwing my dagger at the other end of the cave. Lemon pops back at my side, chittering as if his life depends on it. He wraps his little body around my legs and pushes the back of his head against my leg. Go. His movements seem to say. Come on! The flash of dagger gleams bright in the darkness until it skids down the stone floor, out of sight. The sound of scraping echoes off the stone, forcing me to finally look up. "What–"

I grab my bag and satchel from the floor and sling my coat over my shoulder. They don't look worse for wear, but I tug a little harder than anticipated because they nearly got trapped by the snow. I make my way to the end of the cave, Lemon at my side, chattering nonstop."What is it, Lemon?" I finally ask. He's never been this chatty his whole life. The pathway narrows and curves, then continues into a tunnel. My fingers trace the wall, faintly lit by the lichen in glowing hues of blue, purple, and green. What is the lichen doing down here in the cave? I furrow my brow and look more closely at my surroundings. Lemon takes a running leap up my leg and then curls himself around my neck, finally at ease.

Faint symbols etched into the stone glow under my touch. My heart leaps in recognition. "Lemon look!" I exclaim. He looks at me as if to say, I told you so. I read the message etched into the wall, heart stumbling with anticipation.

The journey precedes the destination.

If one seeks the knowledge of healing, look inward.

Let go of all your expectations, all your beliefs,

and embrace your inner self.

Is this it? Truly? I look around the vacant, dark space and only see stone. Yet, when I look back at the carving, I know it in my bones: I've found the witches.