The Chasm

“Good morning star gazers, just another hour until the sun comes up,” Riley’s mock radio voice trailed off up ahead as he and Jim led the way.

Janette squinted through the 4:00 AM haze. She could see the ground, and shadows ahead, but everything was veiled, waiting for the sunrise to illuminate the canyon. She’d felt lucky when her brother Jim and his trail-guide friend Riley invited her and Sara on this hike, but now, wadding through the dark, she felt a bit skittish.

Without warning, Sara poked Janette in the ribs, followed by a giggle.

“OMG! Sarah,” said Janette, “Be careful or we’ll both trip.’ Sarah continued her soft giggle.

Then, Sarah grabbed Janette’s arm. The trail narrowed, and a few feet to the left it looked like the trail dropped off into a chasm. There was a several foot gap, and a steep wall of rock on the other side.

Janette’s stomach dropped. It’s not like there was a guard rail to hold onto…and it was still almost pitch black…walking along side a chasm with an unknowable depth was a bit scary.

 Suddenly, from deep inside Janette and Sarah could hear flapping wings…strange screeching noises…an eerie silence…A gust of wind and boom…a cloud darker than the shadows burst into the air.

 The girls grabbed each other tighter, and Jim called back with a calm whisper, like he was trying to soothe a scared rabbit.

     “You’re ok,” he said, “just keep walking, and STAY to the right.”

 Soon, early morning light brightened up the sky. As far as they could see, a pink hue began slowly filling the canyon. Darker pink clouds hovered in the air, and the beauty was astounding. Distant peaks were lit up around the edges, and although it was still a way off from sunrise, Janette could finally make out what was happening.

The black cloud arched up in a swoop, and turned back in on itself, before disappearing in an extended funnel back into the chasm.

Janette and Sarah grabbed each other and said at the same time, “BATS!”

Riley called back to them with a reassuring voice.    

 “Don’t worry, as long as you’re not an insect you’ll be fine.”

Janette could feel her muscles start to relax, and she and Sarah finally dropped their arms to their sides.”

     “We’re fine,” Janette called calmly back up to Riley.

And as the sweat beaded down their backs, they continued inching towards the unknown.