Page 115 of Lost

“He is very, um,young,” Anastasia said carefully.

“Yep, but he gets better,” Z said.

“Ifhe’s forced to,” added Stevie Rae. “Don’t let him get by on his looks. There’s really a lot more to him, but right nowhedoesn’t even know that.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” said Anastasia.

“Hey, why isn’t it smoky in here with all of those fires?” Zoey asked.

“Actually, we aren’t sure. All of this, except that small entrance up there, was created by sprites, so we’re just grateful for a safe haven, and the fact that it isn’t filled with smoke.” Anastasia headed to the left side of the big room where a stream bubbled musically from somewhere in the stone floor and ran deep and long down the side of the cavern before disappearing into the stone again. Floating in the stream were lots of cans and bottles, all held together with netting. “There you can find cold brown pop, bottled water, and even wine.”

Zoey went to the stream and fluttered her fingers in the water. “Wow! That’s really cold!”

“Yes, and it runs in and out of this whole network of tunnels and caves. There is even a branch of the stream we use as our bathrooms.”

“Good job, Kev!” Stevie Rae gushed as Rephaim fished a couple of bottles of water from the stream, and a can of brown pop, which he tossed to Z.

“Thanks! See you two at sunset.”

Stevie Rae blew Zoey a kiss, and then turned back to Anastasia. “This cave is beautiful. It’s like it’s been here for centuries.”

“I think of it the same way—as ancient as the sprites who carved it. And perhaps it is. Perhaps it was just waiting for them to reveal what time had covered.”

“That’s a nice thought,” said Rephaim, putting his arm around Stevie Rae’s shoulders and holding her close.

“Come, your room is not far from here.”

They followed Anastasia from the main cavern. There were several tunnel choices, but each was marked with different colored chalk lines that looked like arrows—some pointed toward the main cavern, and some away.

“We all have excellent night vision, but as there are humans here,” Anastasia paused and added, “and other types of beings…” Rephaim nodded in recognition that she was referring to him. “You’ll find lit lanterns hanging from the walls, as well as a lantern in your room. You only need to remember to follow the red chalk arrows to return to the main cavern. The other colors are coded as well. We’re following blue arrows. They lead to the sleeping rooms. Yellow lead to the bathroom area, where you can relieve yourself as well as freshen up, but be forewarned: the water is always cold,” Anastasia said with a shiver.

“That’s no problem. When we first moved into the tunnels under the depot they were way grosser than this,” said Stevie Rae.

“So, you use the old Tulsa tunnels in your world too?”

“Yes, but from what Kevin told us, ours are different than the tunnels the Red Army inhabits,” said Rephaim.

“I would imagine so, as the red vampyres in your world are so much different than ours.”

“Hopefully not for long,” said Stevie Rae.

“That seems an impossible dream,” responded Anastasia.

“But I’m livin’ proof it’s not impossible!”

“And that is very true. You and Kevin are hope personified for us.” They’d come to a narrow tunnel and an area that reminded Stevie Rae of Swiss cheese, with lots of little alcoves holed out of each side of the tunnel. Several were hung with blankets that were closed, blocking the view inside them. Anastasia stopped before one that had a blanket pulled back. “You should find this comfortable. And, as I said, if you need to freshen up, follow the yellow arrows, and then return by following the blue. Is there anything else you need?”

Rephaim and Stevie Rae shared a long, intimate look as she said, “No, thank you, Anastasia. We already have everything we need.”

“Then I will wish you only the pleasantest of dreams.”

Finally alone, Stevie Rae and Rephaim entered the little carved-out space, untying the blanket from the side of the entrance and letting it fall closed behind them.

The room was tidy and cozy. A lantern sat on the flat top of a chair-sized mound of Oklahoma sandstone. Its light flickered across the curved stone walls, giving the effect of a fireplace. Not far from the lantern a thick pallet had been made up with two side-by-side sleeping bags. The pillows and comforter were fluffy and clean and smelled like lavender soap.

Stevie Rae picked up a pillow and sniffed. “I’ll bet Grandma Redbird has something to do with this.”

“I have learned never to bet against you.”