Chapter 8: The Missing

Paolo and Ramch looked for their friends. Jessie was found near a shallow pond. Addison and Raffy were sleeping between two stalagmites. Joed was found at one end of the cavern while Pinggoy was found in the other end. Paolo went back to where he found Francis.

"Would you mind telling us where we are? I'm dreaming about Ian for Christ's sake."

"Yeah, I'm dreaming about Hanna and you drag me here in this place!"

"Paolo, Ramch, would you please tell us where we are?"

"Yeah, where the heck are we?"

"Is this some kind of a joke?"

"All right! Would you be quiet please? Thank you. We are in a cavern beneath a cave. I do not know how we got here but I think Paolo has some idea how."

"Okay, this may sound weird but, I think we are in my dreams. In my dream, there were nine of us. Me, Ramch, Raffy, Joed, Jessie, Pinggoy, Francis, Addison, and Rjadz. Where is Rjadz anyway?"

Everybody panicked and slowly calmed down. They all did not want to fight anymore for Rjadz was missing; he was not in the cavern.

"Okay Paolo, we will buy your story. However, we have to find Rjadz first. He might be in trouble."

Pinggoy was worried for Rjadz was his best friend.

"Wait guys, I think I remember a hole large enough for someone like me to crawl into."

"Where is it?"

"Near the place where I found you"

They went back to the hole and found it is indeed large enough for someone the size of Paolo to enter.

"Shall we guys?"

"Stop talking Joed and start moving!"

"Okay, don't be such an ass."

All of them, one by one, entered the hole. It was a little hard for them to crawl for the tunnel is steep.

"Do you see anything up there Joed? I am really tired of crawling, my shoulders hurt."

"Nope. There is nothing up here except more tunnels to crawl into. Paolo, just a little bit more okay. You can do it!"

After a few minutes, Joed saw a spec of light coming from what seemed to be the end of the tunnel.

"Hey guys, I see a light! We're there!"