Story 24 - Part 2 - Around Midnight

It was about mid afternoon when they stopped to eat lunch. By then they had run into Tech, Don, and Ruke. Brad sighed and stretched a little as everyone else was still taking their time finishing sandwiches and trail mix. It had actually been pretty good and everyone was fairly hungry. The only reason Agent James had finished before the others was because he had not participated in the conversation.

Brad had to admit that he was enjoying this ruins exploration a lot. Carmine was a bit like a tour guide in that he could answer a lot of questions about architecture and design. It was fascinating to know that they were exploring something that very few people even knew about. More impressive was the fact that several of the old booby traps still worked. Carmine had actually set one off on purpose to show.

“What I still don’t get is how come no one else knows about this place,” Kris said. “People must hike and explore this area.”

“It’s impossible to see from the ground and pretty difficult to find if you don’t know what you’re looking for,” Carmine explained. “It’s also private property. Without owner permission it is trespassing.”

“If it’s so impossible,” Brad interrupted, “then how did you find it?”

“Fell in,” Carmine shrugged. “Scared several people when I did not come home until after midnight.”

“After midnight?” Agent Wilson asked. “Were you injured?”

“Not really,” Carmine answered. “It just took me forever to find the way out. I got so lost and set off a few traps.”

“We’re not going to be stuck in here until midnight, are we?” Kris asked.

“Kris,” Marc sighed. “He knows the way out now, so we’re not going to get lost.”

“We’re working on mapping the place out,” Don inputted. “Mr. C still hasn’t given us all of his notes so we have to be careful.”

“I haven’t really had a chance to look for them,” Carmine explained. “I didn’t explore this place as much after high school. You three just need to remember the rules.”

“What rules?” Tiffany asked.

“Rule number one,” Don said as he held up his fingers. “Always let Mr. C know when you’re going exploring. Two is never go alone. Three is to never, ever be here at nightfall.”

“Is that because of…” Kai interrupted but never finished his sentence because he looked at the Salazars.

“Partially,” Carmine answered. “But those are the basic rules.”

“And you broke them all,” Tiffany teased.

“How else do you think I came up with them,” Carmine grinned. “Another thing to keep in mind is to watch what you step on or touch when you explore. The main rooms are relatively safe, but if you wander into treasure or other chambers you might get caught. Though, I would suggest being careful in all rooms.”

Tech suddenly waved his hands and then began to rapidly sign to his uncle. Brad had never really learned any sign language beyond the alphabet. Now he wished that he knew more signs. The only other person who understood Tech was his friend, Don. After a little bit of patience, Agent James was ready to demand an explanation.

“Occasionally, traps can trigger themselves,” Carmine said. “They’re pretty old, so some go off. Tech thinks he heard one go off, in the direction of the exit. You guys stay here, and I’ll be back.”

“I thought a rule was to never go alone,” Tiffany pointed out.

“Yes it is,” Carmine agreed. “For the rest of you.”

“And why are you the exception?”

“I’ve been in this place around midnight,” Carmine answered. “Things are safer for me than for the rest of you. If I’m not back in five minutes, then you can worry. But I should be.”