Water poured over his body as James clung to the rope. He could feel the muscles in his hands and arms preparing to seize, forcing him to release the rope and fall into the abyss. He tried to breathe, hoping the oxygen would alleviate the cramping that was about to ensue. Water poured into his mouth forcing him to drink rather than breathe. Immediately his arms regained their strength. He drank again, not needing to breathe anymore. His strength returned. The water felt like liquid energy coursing through his body. He felt alive. He drank again and again, his strength increasing to a level he had never known. His mind was clear for the first time since he’d arrived.
With his thirst satiated, his only desire was to use the power the water had given him. Knowing he had more than enough strength to make the distance, James clung tightly to the rope and planted his feet against the cliff face so he could launch himself toward the sling. Without warning, the water stopped flowing. It was as if someone had stopped pumping at the well.
Kilani stood on the support line like a bird on a branch, watching him. She had a knowing smile on her face.
“Be cautious, boy or you’ll overshoot and end up at the bottom-if there is a bottom,” she said, walking toward him until she stood directly across. “Jump as if it were just out of reach.”
He looked at her uncertain.
“Trust me, it will be more than enough.”
He sprung from the wall with such power that he was sure he would overshoot the sling. Something caught him across the shoulder. It took him a moment to realize that Kilani had lassoed him around the head and shoulders as he shot over the support cable. His waist slammed into the cable.
Dangling by the rope, James did not panic. He was sure his strength could hold for hours if necessary. Kilani, now standing above him, began walking back toward the trailhead. He lifted himself up onto the rope careful not to pull too hard and slowly stood. Balance came naturally once he found his center of gravity. Quickly, he moved to the edge. So many questions ran through his mind as he jumped down from the support line onto the leaf-covered trail. Kilani was nowhere to be seen. James ran down the path determined to speak with her. He covered the distance back to the shack in less than a minute. She was standing outside the entrance when he came to a halt.
“Please,” he said. “I have so many questions.”
“They can wait. Right now, you must follow me,” she replied.
James yelled out as she darted into the forest. It was instantly obvious she had no intention of waiting for him, so he began his pursuit. They ran through the forest at amazing speed. James couldn’t believe the ease at which he was hurtling fallen trees and dodging branches. His breathing was as relaxed as if were standing still. Instead of loud, cumbersome footfalls, their steps were light and silent.
The ground pitched downward as they passed into a clearing, and for the first time since his arrival trees didn’t block his view. Far in the distance stood a mountain topped with sheer rock and surrounded by dense jungle.
“We journey to the top of Mt. Misery,” the woman said.
“That will take days,” James replied.
“We must reach it by nightfall.”
She ran off again before James could argue. They continued toward the mountain. Never slowing, never tiring. They crossed a river and skirted the perimeter of a large lake before reaching the base of the mountain.
As they ascended, the trees became smaller, the undergrowth more and more sparse until James could see through the vegetation. The trees gave way to stone. At the base of the stone was a large, steep yet still passable scree field. Beyond that, the rock jutted directly upward and the smooth face looked unclimbable.
Nevertheless, Kilani never slowed as she hopped from boulder to bolder across the field of waylaid stones. When they reached the point where the stone face turned vertical, James could see a giant fissure in the cliff. Kilani stopped as they reached the fissure and James took in his surroundings.
The mountain sat in the northwest portion of an island. Deep-blue ocean surrounded the oddly shaped island as far as the eye could see. The green of the jungle stretched to all sides. James noticed several smaller satellite islands surrounding the main island. He looked back at Kilani, but before he could ask a single question, she disappeared into the darkness of the fissure. Quickly he followed, his eyes immediately adapting to the difference in brightness.
James could see light at the other end of the fissure, which must have extended across the entire mountaintop. Kilani jumped up and grabbed hold of one of several ropes that hung just above their heads and began pulling herself up. James followed, using only his arms. He was again amazed at his new strength. By the time they reached the stone shelf around which the ropes had been secured, James felt energized rather than tired.
Directly across from the shelf hung a rope ladder. Kilani jumped, effortlessly caught the rungs, and began her climb. James followed, hoping the rickety-looking rope ladder had the strength to hold them both.
At the top of the ladder was a tunnel. Several bundles of fabric and ropes were stashed neatly on either side of the area against the cave walls. Kilani stepped forward and disappeared around a turn. James followed. She paused, standing in an opening. James could tell from the orange glow that the sun was setting. He stood next to Kilani.
“Give me your hand,” she said.
James took her hand, which was warm and surprisingly smooth. Their eyes met for just a moment. She took a deep breath and looked almost scared as together they stepped out onto the shelf. The instant the orange rays of the setting sun struck them, James felt as if he’d caught fire. They both immediately dropped to the ground, writhing in pain. Terrible screams could be heard across the island as the sun fell below the horizon.