Spelunking - Emerald Isle

Several people, supposedly picked at random, were winners of an all-paid vacation at a fancy resort. Upon arriving, they realized they were the only guests there. Immediately after their first dinner, they were advised to retire; odd.  Even if “tomorrow is a busy day” their off time should be theirs to do as they pleased. This was supposed to be a vacation. Seemed like there were going to be rules.

The morning after their arrival they were informed that their Vegas show girl guest was no longer there. Eve Carlson was missing.

The nervousness of the resort guests was building. Some wanted to leave but they were at the mercy of the hotel for transportation.

Cassidy and Jake, young and adventurous, listened to their fellow guests’ indecision. They knew that Max seemed to be in charge not only of them, but their schedule each day. They wondered what the next day would bring.

At breakfast, Max was all revved up with plans for the day. He told them that down the far end of the beach, when the tide was out, there was a cave that was fun to explore. Several of the guests’ reaction was no, thank you! At first, Max’s reaction was anger, but he quickly acted like he had intended to scare them to see who was brave enough to volunteer to go.

Cassidy and jake said it sounded like fun. “As long as we don’t get lost in there!” Cassidy said.

“Who else will be guides in there?” Jake asked.

Max frowned. “It is my job at this resort to entertain visitors and return them safely to the hotel. I haven’t lost anyone yet.”

“That guy, Max is just plain spooky,” Jake told Cassidy, “and I think he definitely has something to hide. That girl, Eve, was getting close to figuring it out and now she’s missing. Apparently, Eve had remembered him in a situation and persona that he was trying to erase.”

Finally, Mark and Olivia decided to go to kind of keep a protective eye on the younger couple. And Lori decided to show her independence and go without Larry.

Noah decided at the last minute to join them.

They met in the lobby and synchronized their watches. Cell phones wouldn’t work in the cave, so they were left behind. Flashlights were handed out and pocket compasses, and whistles.

Noah spoke up. “I think we need some form of protection. What if, for some reason, we need to protect ourselves?”

“From what?” Max said and laughed.

“Don’t know,” Noah said, “but I like to be prepared.”

Olivia suddenly got the shivers. From you, Max! she thought.

“I don’t want somebody shooting me by mistake,” Max said, so, no weapons.”

“What time does the tide start coming in?’ Mark asked.

“Good question,” Max said, and handed out the tide schedule.

 They were ready to go.