At the threshold of the Bermuda Triangle, strange atmospheric events fire-up Socrates' spirit for an exploration into a mystic region of ancient caverns. Together with his friends and a host of underwater creatures, a trek begins into the unknown. Join them as they seek to unlock the secrets of a lost world and plunge themselves ever deeper into the throes of danger. Will their successes lead to solutions or set in motion even graver circumstances? Get ready for a roller coaster ride into the Caverns of Golden Fire.

Caverns of Golden Fire

Book Two: Socrates' Adventure ContinuesBy Thomas McGee

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2010 Thomas McGee
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4520-1349-7

Contents

Chapter One..........................1Chapter Two..........................5Chapter Three........................12Chapter Four.........................20Chapter Five.........................24Chapter Six..........................31Chapter Seven........................39Chapter Eight........................50Chapter Nine.........................65Chapter Ten..........................74Chapter Eleven.......................85Chapter Twelve.......................94Chapter Thirteen.....................106Chapter Fourteen.....................121

Chapter One

The noonday sky had a sinister orange glow. Billowing black clouds were forming and the ocean was tossing from a ferocious windstorm. Suddenly, lightning bolts started blasting across the sky in every direction. Deafening thunderclaps exploded with such savagery that it sounded like the earth was ripping in half. Frightened by the magnitude and intensity of an angry sky, Socrates and Amaya huddled together. Neither of them had ever experienced an electrical storm of this magnitude. They sped away to seek out Uncle Gnarls in order to question him about this unusual atmospheric disturbance. Amaya led Socrates toward Gnarls' hidden refuge. As they approached, Amaya startled Socrates by abruptly stating, "Wait here!"

Socrates was surprised at Amaya's brusque command, as though there was a necessary obligation to keep the exact location of the cavern a secret. Socrates discreetly complied without a word. However, he started taking notice of the surrounding seascape. There was something oddly peculiar about it, as though there was hidden danger. The entire area was devoid of the customary sea creatures with the exception of unusually large kelp and shellfish. There had to be a good reason why Amaya had never mentioned this place.

A short time later, Amaya returned with her beloved mentor. Socrates envied her affection for Uncle Gnarls. Her glowing deportment in his presence was more reflective of a daughter with her father.

"So, what do you two have in mind today, nephew?"

"Amaya and I were hoping to have you accompany us on an inspection of the region today to see how things are going. Halfway here, though, this horrendous storm kicked up and we have never seen anything like it."

Uncle Gnarls emerged from the depths to examine the sky. "Oh, no, this is what is called a quick kill. There will be no moving around today. This is the deadliest of all storms. I have seen entire schools of fish taken out in a split second by one of those lightning bolts hitting the surface. The jolt from a strike can knock you for a loop even if you are quite a distance away. It would be better if we sought some deep cover until it passes. Hurry, follow me!"

They had barely turned to swim away when, suddenly, the ocean buckled from a violent bolt of lightning striking the surface. Socrates, Amaya, and Uncle Gnarls could not escape the effect. Their bodies instantly stiffened as the electricity raced through the water and locked them in its grip, mercilessly shocking the life out of them-leaving all three helplessly drifting with the current. The cruel storm continued on its vengeful path, tearing the heavens apart, seeking to destroy everything in its wake. When it finally passed, agitated waves were still slapping at a sky left choking in an evil haze.

It took some time before Socrates awoke and opened his eyes. He struggled to collect his thoughts. "Who am I? Where am I?" He sensed something bump into him; it was Amaya's lifeless body. Socrates fought to regain some mobility, his vision still cloudy. Now someone nudged him from his other side; it was Uncle Gnarls, who with every ounce of effort could only manage a faint whisper of, "Is ... Amaya ... okay?" Socrates could not even make a reply. He used what little strength he had to keep his blurry vision trained on her, his tail and fins barely moving, his entire body completely numb. His mind started torturing him with the possibility that Amaya was forever gone. "Oh please, please, let her be alive," he cried, fighting hard to stay close. Eventually, after drifting for several more miles, Amaya's eyes faintly blinked. She too had regained a slight degree of conscious thought. Socrates forced his speech and mumbled, "Fight, Amaya, fight. We are right here. You are not alone!" Their bodies winced from the pain of trying to shake off the gripping paralysis. Initially, attempts were limited to erratically swimming in small circles, the fluttering of their fins being their only propulsion. Eventually though, after hours of arduous struggling, the stiffness in their bodies subsided enough to begin a slow serpentine trek back to the area of Uncle Gnarls' cavern. The rest of the day was tough throughout the entire region. One of the whales in the area took a direct hit from the lightning, killing it instantly. Socrates' friends, Poker, Bondar, Serine, and Zippee had sought shelter in a protected area of one of the monoliths and managed to stay safe. Nevertheless, when the storm subsided, they wasted no time checking on everyone, doing what was necessary for anyone needing help to recover. All the underwater creatures were swimming around disoriented, trying to comprehend the severity of the effect the ominous storm had on their watery domain.

Poker realized after a careful search that Socrates and Amaya could not be located. "We have to find them!" he shouted to Serine. "They may be hurt or in trouble!"

He quickly organized a search party, sending groups out in every direction.

Chapter Two

Hours later, Socrates, Amaya, and Uncle Gnarls arrived back at their original location, tired and hurting. None of them had uttered a single word during their return. Socrates, however, was plagued with questions racing through his mind about what seemed to shroud this area in mystery. Now, back in the safety of the reef, he could no longer hold it in.

"Uncle, I'm curious about your cavern. I will understand if you tell me it is none of my business. It is just that ... this whole area is so ... strange. What can possibly explain that storm, and why all of the sea life is so different? Everything here is so ... locked in secrets! Look, I am sorry. Please, forget that I mentioned it." Socrates felt embarrassed that, at a time like this, he had even opened his mouth.

Uncle Gnarls looked at Socrates and sighed. "I knew this day would come. The mystery of this area and my cavern would finally have to be shared with someone wise enough to understand my reason for keeping it protected."

Amaya, with her eyes opened wide and stunned at Socrates boldness in bringing this subject up, slowly positioned herself away from the ensuing conversation.

Uncle Gnarls looked at her and said, "Amaya, you too need to hear this. You only know a small part of the secret. Come back over next to Socrates, and I will relate to you two what I know. You see, generations of my ancestors have resided here and the stories passed down of the events that have cloaked this area in mystery are frightening to say the least."

Amaya swam in close to listen.

It took a moment for Uncle Gnarls to gather his thoughts before he began. "When I was young, an event happened that shook the ocean to its foundations. One day I decided to explore the mysterious depths of our cavern, alone. My dad called them the forbidden...