Chapter 6 - Showdown

The men finished loading the loot while the tall one kept a watchful eye on Chip and Evvie. The water was totally motionless, and Chip wondered if his eyes had deceived him. Hours had passed since they’d embarked on this adventure, and he struggled to keep his eyes open. Not good. He needed his wits now more than ever.
Dusty threw the last bag in the bow of the boat. Chip lost count after 100 and knew they couldn’t have all come from the itsy bitsy Mariposa Grove Bank. He recalled his parents talking about a string of bank robberies in the region. The money of the good people of Mariposa County was sitting in a red and white Dory floating in an underground lagoon.

For the first time, the tall one smiled. It was a devilish grin that came with a gurgling evil laugh.

“Well gentlemen, take a look. We’re rich!” He sauntered around the boat surveying his booty. You could almost see him spending it in his mind. Long, bony fingers jabbed at the air, as if conducting an orchestra or counting dollar bills. Gino walked over and the two men fell into a discussion too soft for anyone else to hear.

“Dusty,” Chip whispered urgently. “I mean, Mr. McGregor, please… I gotta go to the bathroom.”
“Me too,” Evvie chimed in.
“Man, you two are going to be the death of me,” he grumbled. “Alright, go behind that rock over there and make it quick.”
As Chip and Evvie walked away they heard Dusty call out.
“Ain’t no boys and girls restrooms here, so ya gotta share!” His laugh followed them around the rock.
Evvie slumped down to the ground as if her frame could no longer support her.

“Finally, a moment to ourselves,” she sighed. “The bathroom was a good trick.”

“Who said anything about a trick? Chip croaked. "I’ve had to go bad for the last hour. Now turn your head and close your eyes.”

“Chip,” she warned.

“I mean it Evvie!” he said dancing from one foot to the other.

“Okay, okay!” She plugged her ears and squeezed her eyes shut. A few moments later he tapped her on the shoulder.

“All clear.”

“Everything come out alright?”

“Very funny. Thanks for… um… you know – not peeking.”

Evvie smirked. “Who said I didn’t?”

Chip’s face went from pale pink to red. Evvie’s smirk actually spread into a grin.

“Just kidding. Alright Chocolate Chip,” she said throwing out a new nickname for him.

“What now?”

A thoughtful look came across his features.

“How about some of that chocolate?”

“Are you kidding?” she said with saucer-wide eyes. “You are NOT going to La La Land and leaving me by myself with these mad men!”

“Evvie,” he started.
“No way Chip,” she whispered intensely, her face going pale at the prospect. “I nearly had to beat you back to life! And you never did explain what happened either,” she accused.
“And I will, promise,” he said looking over her shoulder to make sure no one was coming. “But right now, it’s our only hope. Evvie, I NEED chocolate,” he urged, his eyes deep as the ocean.
“You’re crazy, you know that?”
“Totally insane,” he agreed with a flip of his bangs.
Evvie sighed and gave him a long look as if checking his sanity.
“I know I’m gonna regret this,” she complained handing him the bar. “But if eating chocolate will help get us out of this mess, then go for it.”
Chip reached for the chocolate, and he looked up surprised when her hand closed over his.
“If you don’t come back quickly Chip Cooley, I swear I’ll give you CPR this time.”
Close proximity to Evvie Tipton was a new and wholly unsettling experience. For starters, he’d never noticed she had brilliant specks floating in her caramel colored eyes, like gold dust. Freckles fanned haphazardly across her nose. His heart thrummed against his chest and his palms were all sticky.
“Well, we don’t want that, do we?” he said with a cough, wiping his hands down his jeans as he straightened up.
“Fine,” she snapped. “Get it over with then.”
“Right,” he said lamely looking down at the chocolate in his hand. “Here goes.” Slowly, he let the chocolate melt in his mouth. This time he was ready for the light-headed feeling. He no longer felt the weight of his body and floated up and over the rocks, right above the water. He could see nothing below the milky blue depths, and without hesitation flew straight into the cool pool. An underwater canyon dropped deep very fast, the walls on either side the color of amethyst and just as smooth. He dove down, further and further. A tightness in his chest signaled that he was running out of air but something foreign and unknown, whispered in the deep, dark purple depths.
Keep going.
The water billowed around him in soft currents of sound, swirling around his face, his arms and legs. He stopped swimming, the panic rising in his throat. Pressure was building hard in his chest.
Breathe.
Chip knew to breathe under water was certain death, but he had no choice but to listen to the strange, voice. He was out of air. He inhaled, waiting for the fierce, flooding pain to rush through his lungs. When nothing happened, his eyes opened to the shock that he was breathing underwater! He wondered if he could only breathe underwater when in the Third Eye state, or if this lagoon was different. The thought gave him an idea and he swam deeper, but instead of the water getting darker, it was becoming lighter and lighter. In a matter of minutes his head broke through the surface, and he gasped as sunlight spilled all around him.

He was in a sunlit swimming hole. Perfectly round with bushes and flowers growing from every crevice, its towering walls rose hundreds of feet around him. Chip rubbed his tired eyes, struggling to understand what just happened. He swam to the bottom of the lagoon and should have reached sand, rocks, mud or some other solid land surface. But here he was, outside in fresh air. It didn’t make sense. None of this made any sense!

He didn’t have any more time to think about it as the tug to return pulled. In the next instant he found himself looking up at Dusty’s weathered and lined face.

“C’mon kid, I know you two are tired but ya gotta get up,” he said gruffly.

Chip saw Evvie’s anxious face peering from behind the robber’s back. He shook himself out of the dreamy state and abruptly got to his feet.

“I’m all right,” he said pushing Dusty’s helping hand away. The quick motion got him dizzy and he rocked back and forth on his feet.

“You two are bone tired,” Dusty grunted. “Well, you can both take a nap real soon.”
Evvie’s eyes flashed panic as they met Chip’s. She jerked her head toward the tall one’s coat, which he pulled tight around him.

“What do you mean?” Chip asked suspiciously.

“We’re gonna take a little ride,” Dusty yawned. “You can nap in the boat until we get where we’re going.”

“And where’s that?” Evvie asked.

“Enough questions,” he said with an edge to his voice. “You’ll just have to wait and see.” He pushed them both in front of him toward the boat. The tall one sat in the bow while Gino waited on shore, ready to shove off.

“Go on, get in,” Dusty said impatiently.

Chip watched as Dusty’s friendly demeanor vanished in the presence of the evil Winston. Both men were thieves, but Chip wasn’t worried about Dusty. It was the tall one with eyes like ice chips that gave him the willies.
“What ya waiting for? An invitation?!” the tall one barked.
Chip stumbled into the boat behind Evvie. His mind was racing with escape plans, but talking to her was impossible. The robbers would overhear every word. He slumped in his seat and looked over at Evvie. Her head was buried in her knees. Dusty was right. They were totally pooped. Although he didn’t know what time it was, he assumed it must be midday by now. Daylight was streaming into the cavern, which meant the sun was high. Both of their parents would be worried sick. With clenched hands, Chip waited for an opportune moment. Sleep would have to wait.
Gino rowed them out of the sunlight and into an inky dark passage. The tall one clicked on his powerful flashlight, and the beam bounced off sparkling blue walls. Chip felt like they were wandering through a bejeweled sea. The oars made no sound as they slipped in and out of the water. He looked into the dark depths and saw his gloomy reflection. His plan of jumping off the boat with Evvie now seemed remote as they rowed further and further away from the chamber. If they jumped here, he had no idea whether or not they would come out the other side into the swimming hole. He’d missed his chance.

“Alright now, stop rowing,” the tall one commanded.

“But Winston, we’re not at the place yet…” Dusty started to say, but his words were stopped short.

“Doesn’t matter,” he snapped. “We have some business to attend to right now. Two unwanted guests are now about to leave our company.”

Evvie slowly raised her head and Chip realized she’d never been asleep at all. The tall one opened his coat and now everyone knew about the gun. He pulled it from the holster and waved it at Chip and Evvie.

“Both of you, get up and stand by the edge of the boat.”

Dusty looked from the gun to the two kids and his face went ghostly pale.

“Winston, you’re not gonna... you know,” he faltered, unable to eke out the deadly words.

“Shoot ‘em?” the tall one drawled. “Oh yeah, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

“But we donut sign up for killing,” Gino said in his broken English. “This not right. They just bambinos.”

“They’re witnesses,” the tall one answered coldly. “And the only ones who can identify us to the cops. We let ‘em live and we’ll be running for the rest of our lives. Is that what you want?”

“No want killings." Gino shook his head. "We find another way, yes?”

In answer, Winston cocked the gun and pointed it at Gino.

“Sure. I could shoot all of you and no one will have to feel bad about it but me.” He laughed, a harsh grating sound that filled the cavern and bounced off the steep walls. "Actually, I’m liking the sound of this plan better and better,” he murmured eyeing the bags of money.

Chip saw Gino’s Adam’s Apple bob up and down with fear. If something wasn’t done fast, there would be four dead bodies floating in this deep, dark place. As if in answer to his thoughts, a soft hum suddenly emanated from the water. The surface rippled and waves rocked the boat. Chip and Evvie struggled to retain their balance.

“What the dickens was that?” the tall one asked. For a moment, no one said a word. Finally, Dusty broke the silence.

“Maybe it’s your Mum come to sing you a lullaby Winnie.”

“I warned you not to call me that!” the tall one shrieked, whirling around and waving the gun wildly. Dusty didn’t look at Winston but just stared meaningfully at Chip and then at the water. Chip slowly reached for Evvie’s hand.

“Feel like a swim?” he whispered. The answer came in a tight squeeze to his fingers. He gave Dusty a nod.

“Well Winnie it’s like this.” Dusty continued calmly but beads of sweat ran down his cheek. “You’re no longer running this show. I am.”
“Really?” Winston hissed. “I’m the one with the gun, moron. And I think it’s time I used it.” “Jump!” Chip yelled.

The tall one whirled around to see Chip and Evvie launch over the side of the boat. Dusty grabbed for the gun and the boat rocked wildly sending both men to the floor. Gino jumped on top of the dog pile.

In the water, Chip swam a few strokes and couldn’t help but look back. All he saw were arms and legs flailing. A hand holding the gun stretched up, and a shot rang out. The bullet ricocheted off the walls with a “zinging” sound. Chip’s heart hammered against his chest as he saw the tall one rise from the boat, smoking gun still in hand. He couldn’t see Dusty and a lump formed in his throat. The evil Winston smiled and pointed the gun at Gino.

“Your turn Italian,” he said taking aim.

A moan echoed in the cavern, and Winston looked nervously around him.

“What is that blasted humming sound?”

Chip caught a glimpse of a black coil rising from the water circling the red and white dory. The water around them began to swirl like a whirlpool.

“Evvie!” he cried. “Swim hard toward the lagoon’s center. When you get to the middle go down as deep as you can!”

“Chip, I can’t…”

“Evvie trust me on this,” he pleaded. “You can do it! Believe in the chocolate!”

She bit her lip but started swimming hard for the lagoon. They heard screams coming from behind and Chip dared another look back. It was a sight he’d never forget. The boat was swaying back and forth, high out of the water with Gino hanging on for dear life. Chip could see Dusty lying in the bottom. Winston’s screams were as high as a girl’s as he fought being in the grip of one of the black coils.

“Gino, get this thing off of me!” he shrieked before the black arm pulled Winston down and completely submerged him in the water. Spluttering and dripping wet, he gasped for air as the arm shot him back up, missing the sword points of the cavern roof by inches. Winston started to cry.

“Help me… I’ll give you half the loot. Just shoot this blasted monster!”

The little Italian smiled as he hoisted himself up to the edge of the boat.

“I think octopus hungry. You be his lunch today, yes?”

Even from a distance, Chip could see the fear in the tall one’s eyes. He didn’t seem so tall now.

The moaning sound turned to a high hum and the dome of the creature emerged from the water. Chip could see its mouth was open. Although, he knew he should move, he just couldn’t.

“Chip Cooley!” Evvie yelled from the center of the lagoon. “Get over here, now!”

Evvie treaded water, wishing for the hundredth time that she had slept in last night. The creature’s tentacles were winging around the cavern with deadly speed. When they slapped on the water it would be like getting cut in half by a steel whip.

“Faster!” she pleaded as a black coil missed him by inches.

Chip’s heart pumped hard as he made the last stroke to Evvie. He reached out and pulled her into the curve of his arm.

“Don’t look Ev,” he gasped trying to pull air into his starved lungs. “They deserve everything they’re getting.”

His gaze rested on Dusty, still crumpled in the bottom of the boat. A trickle of blood seeped from the man’s forehead onto the floorboards. Chip didn’t notice the salty tears running down his cheeks. The bully he loved to hate was losing his father tonight.
“Rolo can’t know about this,” he said swallowing hard. “I mean the bad stuff. Dusty tried to save us tonight.”
“I know,” she whispered through blue lips.

They gazed at each other under the glittering stalagmite swords, realizing nothing would be the same ever again. For a brief moment, Chip felt like he knew Evvie Tipton better than just about anyone else in the world. His chest squeezed tight, and a feeling altogether alien flooded through him. A high-pitched sound cracked the cavern’s uncanny silence, and Chip was thankful for the interruption. At least now he could turn his attention to something he understood―how to get out of a sticky situation.

“Chip…” Evvie said faintly looking over his shoulder. “I think if you ever had any ideas about how to get out of here, now would be a good time to use them.”

He glanced back and saw the dome of the creature turning toward them. It was the most awkward thing Chip had ever seen. It looked like an octopus, but instead of eight tentacles, it had six. They stretched a good 20 feet in every direction and connected in the center by a big dome the color of red cabbage. It appeared to be the texture of rubber and was semi-transparent. When Chip squinted his eyes, he could swear he saw something moving inside. The figure of a man materialized within the dome and Chip swallowed hard.

“Evvie…” he gasped.

“I see it!” she whispered clutching his shoulder.

Beyond the creature, Chip could see the little dory, now floating calmly in the water. Gino struggled to heave himself back into the boat. Winston was nowhere to be found.

“Looks like the mean one got swallowed up … and is still alive!”

“OMG,” Evvie gagged, sounding like she would hurl any minute. The humming started up again and the creature started moving toward them.

“Oh no you don’t,” Chip muttered. “We’re not going to be a purple-people-eater’s after dinner dessert! C’mon Evvie,” he said pulling her with him to the very center of the lagoon.

“Remember the chocolate I ate by the rock?” he asked. Evvie nodded, her eyes darting behind Chip’s shoulder.

“Well, I saw an escape on the other side of this water and that’s where we have to go -- now.”

Evvie looked all around them and shook her head.

“This time the chocolate must not have worked Chip. There are rocks everywhere! We can’t climb out!”

“Who said anything about climbing out?” He pointed down. “We’re going to swim to the bottom.”

Evvie’s jaw dropped.

“No way,” she stated emphatically. “Even if there was something down there, I’d never be able to hold my breath that long,” she said fearfully.

Chip looked over his shoulder. The creature would soon be within tentacle reach.

Ev,” he urged. “It sounds weird, but you can breathe under this water.”

“What?!”

“You have to believe me Evvie. We either go for a swim or become fish food.” A big slap hit the water, and Evvie saw a tentacle reaching for Chip. He didn’t flinch.

“Dive!” she yelled.

Taking a deep breath, Chip grabbed her hand and they disappeared into the turquoise depths.

Copyright © 2000 by Nina Martin.  All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. For information, address: info@cooleyscurse.com