A spur in the trail – Butterbeans

Alex stops just short of the opening in the mine. He knows Butterbeans went this way. Furthermore, he can see her location on his screen. The tracking system they use for search missions, is very reliable. She is nearby, but far below them, from what he can see. Emily Kate, and Jared, stand to his side and are watching the screen with him.

“Can’t we just jump in after her?” Jared’s voice is almost pleading, as he watches the dot on the screen move.

“We have to be careful”, Alex speaks softly, and almost reassuringly, as he too, watches the little red dot, on the screen. Additionally he knows they aren’t far behind Butterbeans. However, this is a very old mine, and the timber work looks extremely aged. If they weren’t careful, they could easily trigger a cave in. Therefore it would be wise to only send in one person for Butterbeans.

A Spur in the Trail

He smiles, it would be just like old times. Then, after he puts the screen away, he begins setting up his equipment for a climb down. As it turns out, his decision to bring their gear today, was a good one. He turns to Emily Kate and hands her a two way radio.

“This is how we will stay in touch. If either of us has trouble we radio the other.” He looks at Emily earnestly, and she nods yes. Next, he looks at Jared. “Wait here and be ready. If we get into trouble down there, we will need your help, up here.”

Jarod nods his head yes. “What about the treasure?”

He looks crestfallen, however, Alex couldn’t be more serious, nor was he being too careful.

“These old mines are notorious for cave-ins and unexpected pitfalls.” He pauses and looks intently at Jared. Furthermore, he is certain Butterbeans would not have run so far ahead on her own. Not without a very good reason. Therefore his instincts are for caution.

With this in mind, he sets the two way radios to the same frequency he uses when they are at the base. Then he steps into the mine shaft, and begins climbing down into the darkness below.

Butterbeans

She isn’t worried about the darkness. She doesn’t need to see the trail to be able to follow it. Not even with a spur. For Butterbeans it’s the same as if there were lights down here. The trail stands out. Not only does it shimmer in the darkness, but also it still carries the scent. Furthermore, she is following something only she can see.

She races to find Alex. The vision the stranger brought her to, is still fresh in her memory. In fact, they are in the wrong place altogether. There is nothing in the mines except dust and old mine shafts. Furthermore, their quest is meant to be in another place. There was much happening and she knew it was paramount for her to find Alex. This was a spur in their plans, and he would know what they needed to do.

The Trail

Alex makes it to the lower level. It is exceptionally dark so he lights his lantern and looks around. He is in a small chamber, with several mine shafts branching off of it. Similarly, there are tracks leading off into a particular tunnel and Alex follows them right away. With this in mind, he hears a huge commotion up ahead, and he hurries forward.

The sound of fighting voices fills the tunnel around him, and grows in intensity, as he approaches. Then he hears several gunshots, and he bolts forward, sprinting ahead to find Butterbeans. It is unclear how anyone could have gotten in here without being seen. However Alex is more worried about Butterbeans, and he runs full out, and yells for her, at the same time.

The Quest

A split second later he collides with a furiously moving ball of fur. They are surprised and relieved, as both Alex and Butterbeans realize they have found each other. Likewise, Butterbeans gives Alex lots of happy attention before barking loudly, and quickly running back toward Emily Kate and Jared. Something is up, Alex thinks as he turns and follows Butterbeans.

(Next up, Butterbeans and the Tombstone Map, stay tuned)

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