Page 40 of Eclipse Bound
"Faster," Eclipse urged, his twilight form flowing over the rocks with unnatural grace.
Solar, by contrast, left smoldering footprints in his wake, his golden energy barely contained as he ascended.
They reached a ridge just as the first energy pulse struck the rocks beside them, sending fragments flying. Rowan felt a sharp sting as a splinter of stone cut her cheek.
"Keep moving," she panted, blood trickling down her face. "There's a cave system up ahead. We can lose them there."
The trail narrowed dangerously, hugging the cliff face with a sheer drop to one side. Rowan's legs trembled with exertion and fear as she navigated the precarious path. Eclipse stayed close behind her, his energy occasionally brushing against her skin in what felt like reassurance.
Solar brought up the rear, periodically turning to send pulses of energy down the path, creating obstacles for their pursuers.
They rounded a bend, and the mouth of a cave appeared as a dark opening in the red rock face. Rowan stumbled toward it, legs burning from the climb.
"In here," she gasped, ducking into the darkness.
The temperature dropped immediately as they entered the cave system. Shafts of sunlight penetrated through cracks in the ceiling, providing just enough illumination to navigate.
"These caves connect throughout the canyon," Rowan explained, catching her breath. "The local indigenous peoples used them for centuries. Some parts are too narrow for adults to pass through, but there are routes to the other side."
Unfortunately, she didn’t know those routes. It would be just as easy to get lost forever underground. But that was a problem for later. Now they needed to escape danger.
Eclipse's twilight form provided a soft glow in the dimness. "Your knowledge of this terrain is invaluable."
The comment made her feel guilty.
"I've hiked here since I arrived in Duskrock," she replied. "Never thought I'd be using the caves to escape an alien manhunt."
Solar remained near the entrance, his golden light a beacon that would surely give away their position. "They are still pursuing," he reported. "Their thermal imaging technology will make concealment difficult."
Rowan's mind raced. "Deeper in, there's an underground stream. Maybe the water will mask thermal signatures?"
At least, she thought there was. She couldn’t remember for sure if this was the cave she was thinking of.
They moved further into the cave system, the passageway narrowing until they had to proceed single file. Solar's energy illuminated strange petroglyphs on the walls, ancient drawings that depicted stars, spirals, and humanoid figures.
"Look," Rowan pointed with a tiny laugh. "The original UFO enthusiasts."
Eclipse examined the markings with interest. "Your species has long looked to the stars."
"And apparently met visitors before," Rowan added, indicating a petroglyph that showed tall beings descending from the sky.
A distant shout echoed through the cave. Milano forces had entered the system.
"Those do not represent any species I have met. We must keep moving," Solar urged.
The passage twisted and branched. Rowan led them down a narrower offshoot that required them to crouch. The sound of running water caused her to sigh in relief. They kept moving, and it grew louder. Soon they emerged into a larger chamber where an underground stream cut across their path.
"We need to wade upstream," Rowan said. "The water's only about knee-deep, but I’m warning you, it's freezing. It comes from deep underground."
She stepped into the stream, gasping as the cold water soaked through her jeans. Eclipse followed without hesitation, his twilight energy rippling oddly where it touched the water. Solar paused at the edge, his golden form hissing as steam rose where he contacted the stream.
"The water dampens my energy," he said, voice strained. "It will be difficult to maintain form."
"It's our best chance to mask our trail," Rowan insisted.
Reluctantly, Solar entered the stream. Steam filled the cave, making it instantly humid. His light noticeably dimmed, and he moved with obvious discomfort as they waded upstream.
The cold numbed Rowan's legs as she pushed forward. It became hard to walk. Behind them, shouts and the beams of flashlights indicated Milano was gaining ground.
