Tom turned and walked by himself into the hollow behind the mansion as the girls hugged their men and met Olivia. He watched his brass compass and followed his heading and counted his steps as he went. The large key was in his hip pocket. He knew that it was going to rain and he wanted to get this mystery solved as soon as he could. The lovers could do without him and Tammy and Olivia can entertain. Had he known what he was in for, he may have waited for help. Soon he came upon the tracks of John and O’Connor. There is no mistaking those big feet. He said to himself as he discovered they headed straight to where it seemed he was headed so he just followed them when he could. Soon enough he found himself at the bottom of the ravine and at the foot of the huge sandstone block that hid Duncan’s cave. He walked around it and spotted the hole that O’Connor had uncovered. Kneeling he looked into it and cautiously looked around wondering what had happened to O’Connor as he saw no large boot prints leading away from it. But he did come to the conclusion that John had been here also. He decided that he would go in alone and crawled forward to the large chamber. He felt a rumble as he stood up on the floor.

“Where’s Tom?” John asked frantically as he looked around for his friend.

“I think he walked down into the woods. Why are ya so worried of a sudden?” Duncan asked.

“Ah no! We gotta go help him. He’s in real danger!” John said as he took off running after Tom.

“What the hell you talking about?” Duncan yelled as he sped after John leaving the women standing in bewilderment.

“OK. That does it. Let’s go girls and see what’s up. I need to know what the hell is going on around here and if anything happens to my Tommy I swear I’ll kill ‘im myself!” Tammy said feverishly as she took off after Duncan and the girls followed suit. Olivia watched as they rounded the rear of the mansion and then entered the front door and fled through the inside to reach the back door to watch as the last girl's feet disappeared into the hollow. “It’s led to this has it Duncan?” She whispered.

“Yes, let us follow.” Answered a voice from behind her. "I think it is time my friend."

John quickly came upon Duncan’s cave and dropped down to peer inside to the chamber. As he did so a rumble was felt all around the hollow. “Tom! Don’t open the door!” he yelled as Tom was just unlocking the huge door to Duncan’s cave. Startled he jumped and looked back to see John staring in at him.

“John get…” At that moment the door swung open quickly and Tom was sucked inside the cave letting go with a loud scream of surprise and some trepidation. He landed inside on the floor and saw a red orange glow all about him as the door slammed shut. Shaking his head he stood and beheld the treasure of the ages and a red ball of energy hovering just 10 feet in front of him. “Something tells me I ain’t in Kansas no more. Are you Duncan?”

Evil laughter erupted from the red energy and then John spoke. “I am his son and I lay claim to what is mine. I should thank you for your help in my finding it young man, but you see, why should I thank anyone for that which is mine? Now, you will remain here with me and help me guard this vault. Until you die that is.”

“Well, I’m pleased to meet you John. I’ve heard so much about you. But really I can’t stay. I have things to do you see, like live, and I wouldn’t want to crowd you as it is a wee cramped in here and the air is stifling. Could it be your breath?” Tom said sarcastically. Damn! Sure wish I had that mojo bag.

“Your insults don’t hurt me son so why don’t you just be a good lad and give me that key.” John told him. “Now!”

“Let me think a minute. Looks like I’m all alone and in bad company. Are you brain dead too John?” Tom was pushing his luck trying to throw the ghost off guard while he quickly thought.

“Give me that key or you will wish you were brain dead!” John demanded.

“Were your parents siblings John? Because all of your ancestors must number in the millions; it's hard to believe that many people are to blame for producing you.” Tom replied back still thinking of how he could escape alive. He kept looking around surveying his surroundings and spotted human skulls and bones scattered about. O’Connor was lying under a large metal shelf with only his head sticking out along with his tongue that was swollen as his eyes were popped out and lying on his cheeks. Gold of all sorts covered his body. No wonder it smells in here. I think he shit his self too. He slowly backed towards the door.

“If you are trying to anger me, it is not your words but your lack of obedience that will do it Tommy boy.” John said hissingly.

“You’re as welcome as a cottonmouth at a square dance John, no need to be hissy about it. I’ll let you have it, here.” He said as he pulled the key from his pocket and threw it in a distant corner and quickly ran for the door. He took hold of the latch and pulled but then a burning heat was felt on his ankle and he was cruelly thrown aside as he heard the click of the door lock. Well looks like I’m done for now ‘cause that guy ain’t going to let up. At that moment the door caved in with a mighty crash as a bright blue ball of light flashed into the cave.

“John! It’s time for you to leave!” The blue ball shouted. Tom jumped up off of his ass and ran out the open door and scrambled to the outside through the opening to the hollow of freedom and life. Of a sudden many dark shrieking shadows came out of the split trunk of a huge Sycamore tree nearby covered with leaves and entered into Duncan’s Cave. Tammy and the others all came running to him and dragged him back to safety.

“Oh darling. My Tom! I’m so glad you’re OK.” Tammy tearfully cried as she hugged him tight knocking his hat off. He quickly deftly made a grab for it and caught it and placed back on his sweaty head.

“But I’m not OK. I got a gold coin or something in my butt crack.” He laughed as he pulled out a small gold jewel encrusted skien duhb. “Damn, that was close!”

“Oh Tom!” Tammy laughed and cried she was so happy but scared at the same time.

All hell was breaking loose in the cave and in just a moment it was over and the dark shadows exited the cave dragging a kicking, screaming naked old man with them as they disappeared into the Sycamore from whence they came. All was silent as Olivia appeared before them shining with a spiritual green glow. She was smiling as she gave each of them a hug. The blue ball exited the cave and hovered beside Olivia and slowly took the shape of a very tall young handsome man dressed in Highlander plaid. He slowly took on a green glow too. He took Tammy’s hand and said to her. “Daughter of my blood, thank you for delivering my passion. All that was mine is now yours to do with, as you will. I can rest in peace as my sins are now forgiven thanks to you and your men.” He leaned forward and kissed her hand gently, sweetly, stood up and stepped back. All eyes were in awe at what was taking place before them. Speechless,  Mikayla and Charlene tried to run but could not as their feet would not move. “Olivia, I thank you also, I am ready to go now.” Duncan said.

“Well Duncan, I was so pleased to help you and to be able to enlist this family’s aid in so doing. Let me say my goodbye’s then we’ll go darlin’.” She said as she turned her attention to Tammy and the rest. Tammy and Tom were smiling now as calm settled in the hollow.

“Tammy my darlin’ child. What can I say to you? You have blessed me these last two days darlin’, ya really have lass.” Olivia said to her. “And Tom, it was such a pleasure to see that my granddaughter is doing so well and has such a fine speciman of a man as you. And Duncan my lad, be happy and go in peace my son. John, you have come far, listen now to what I have told ye lad. Go to your grandmother and learn more.  I must go now as my job is done and I too can rest in peace.” Surprised by her remarks to them, all eyes were wide in wonderment.

“Olivia, who are you?” Tammy managed to question her.

“Why darlin’ I’m your eighth great-grandmother from the mid 17^th century.

I am daughter to Captain Farrell, husband of Jenny who conceived me by the infamous highwayman Patrick Flemmen, my real father; he was a valiant gentleman of County Cork. But darlin’ that’s another story I’ll be tellin’ ye some day.” With that she and Duncan disappeared as they slowly rose into the morning sky as she sang a high note of C. It began a gentle rain as if the heavens itself was weeping for joy.

 So the Cornetts watched in wonder as the two spirits fled. Everyone looked at each other and they all held hands and walked out of the hollow to live and be in peace. So ends my story. The Epilogue will tell you more.

©2009 CC Riter October 25 I must say it's not bad for 9 days of writing. What do you think? And don't forget that green button.

I am sorry the fat lady video is not the one I wanted, but here she is anyway.