Trio - Book One

Neil looked down at the stone in his hand, and then back out at the water. He stepped back up to the shoreline and threw the stone as hard as he could. To his surprise it skipped across the surface a few times before it vanished into the mist. Now, all they could do was wait.

“Does the map say how long we have to sit here?” yawned Tony.

“No, it doesn’t. What time is it Zach?”

“Just a couple minutes before nine. You beat the deadline anyway.”

“Then we wait,” murmured Neil. He picked up his gym bag and stuffed the pouch back inside with the map and his other belongings. Neil made himself as comfortable as he could on the shore and began the wait. The other two milled around, kicking the stones every so often to amuse themselves. All three waited for something to happen, but nothing did. Nobody said a word. Five minutes went by, and then ten and still nothing happened. Neil was beginning to feel somewhat disappointed and even Tony felt a twinge of frustration. Zach however, was beginning to grin. He was about to tell them ‘I told you so’, when a low rumble began beneath them. The lake started to ripple, and then bubble and the ground began to tremble.

“What the hell is going on?” shouted Zach.

“Look!” pointed Neil. The water began to splash rapidly on the shoreline and steam rose from the lake. There was a deep rumble, and something began to break the water’s surface. A large number of stones began to rise, and form a solid pathway that led further out into the lake, and fog. As fast as it had started, it finished just as abruptly. There, before them, a solid stone path led out into the lake. It seemed to be waiting, anxiously anticipating their first steps. All three stared, amazed at the sight that had just transposed in front of them.

Zach’s jaw dropped. “Son of a ….”

Neil smiled and looked at him. “Still think this is all a lie?”

“Uh, I, uh, I haven’t a clue.”

“That is the most exciting thing I’ve ever seen!” exclaimed Tony. He as all wide eyed as if he was a ten-year-old boy getting his first bicycle.

“Nice effects,” admitted Zach with a nod.

“Grab your bags boys, it’s time to go,” urged Neil. He reached down and snatched up his own. Zach reached out and grabbed him by the arm before he could take his first step towards the path.

“Wait a second! You actually want to go out onto that thing?”

“That’s what we’re supposed to do. Yeah I’m going out onto it.”

“Aren’t we supposed to go as a group only?”

Neil had taken a few steps, but then turned to face the other two. “What are you saying? That you don’t want to go now?”

“Go where?” stated Zach. “We don’t even know if this thing goes anyplace.”

 “That’s why we have to go. To find out if everything Malcolm said was true or not.” Neil was beginning to lose his patience and he fidgeted nervously.

“What’s the rush?” wondered Zach.

Neil took a deep breath to contain his excitement. “Look, we’ve been asked to help. I for one would like to see if what he did said was true. Furthermore, what he said about me was right on the money. I hate my job, my life bores me to tears and this,” he pointed to the stone path. “This just might be what I need to get out of the rut I’ve been mired in for the last three years! Now, are you coming or not?”

“I’m with you man,” said Tony. He moved to stand next to Neil, and both looked at Zach. Zach stood there, thinking. A part of him was kind of curious, but the logical side of him kept reminding him that this was absolutely ludicrous.

“The spell won’t work if I don’t go, right?”

Neil nodded.“That’s right.”

He thought for another second, and then threw up his arms in defeat. “Why not. Who am I to deny a lawyer going through some middle age crisis for a chance at being happy! Besides, I can’t go back without the kid. I’d probably get charged for murder or something like that.” Zach walked up to them, bag in hand.

Neil patted him on the back as the turned to the path. “You’re curious too aren’t you?”

“Yeah, I guess,” and then quickly added, “but only just a little bit.”

“Of course you are,” jested Tony.