A Parrot To Die For by K.C. Ames

Author:K.C. Ames [Ames, K.C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: 17th Street Books
Published: 2023-12-20T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The cove was a slice of serenity, nestled between high rock walls and blanketed with fine golden sand. The gentle lapping of the waves created a soothing melody that harmonized with the distant cries of seagulls. You could see the long, slender shadows of palm trees stretched out as the day progressed.

The trio moved further in amidst a mesmerizing dance of lights created by the reflection of the sun on the water. The craggy faces of the cliffs around them bore testament to an ancient and unending battle against the elements. At the base of these cliffs, where the waves and rock met, were the entrances to several sea caves. Their openings looked like dark voids, contrasting with the brighter shades of the cove.

Feeling a mixture of trepidation and excitement, Dana led the group towards the largest of the sea caves. The air inside was damp, and the echo of their footsteps suggested the cave stretched deeper than it had first appeared.

Dana's flashlight beam landed on something that looked out of place in the natural surroundings of the cave: a sturdy mooring post rising from the ground, carved intricately from beach wood. It was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with delicate grooves and patterns detailing the natural grains and knots in the wood. The rich deep-brown color of the post was a stark contrast to the gray, damp walls of the cave. At its base, signs of wear showed where ropes had been repeatedly tied and untied, suggesting its frequent use for a boat.

"Look at this," she whispered, reaching out to trace the etchings with her finger. "This has Tino's touch all over it."

Benny, approaching, nodded in agreement. "He always had a knack for making functional things beautiful. Similar to the wooden gate on Tino’s property. This is definitely his style."

"This has to be it," Dana whispered excitedly. "Tino's boat must have been right here, hidden away from anyone's view, and then that pathway..." Her voice trailed off as she looked deeper into the cave, eager to find where it led.

Dana cursed herself for not bringing a flashlight, but she used her cell phone’s flashlight app, as did Courtney and Benny. Beams of light, however inadequate, sliced through the dimness of the cave.

As Dana, Benny, and Courtney ventured deeper into the cave, they marveled at its vastness. From the beach, the entrance had appeared as a narrow slit in the rocks, but inside the cavern expanded in unexpected directions, its grandeur hidden behind the modest facade. Stalactites dripped from the ceiling, shimmering like icicles. The walls of the cave, damp and glistening, echoed the muted, rhythmic lapping of the water outside. Pools of seawater, trapped during high tide, reflected fleeting glimmers of their flashlight beams, making the cave seem like a world scattered with stars.

Dana kept thinking about the hundreds of thousands of years it took to create this cavern. Amazing.

Her beam caught a glint on the ground, and she froze, her eyes narrowing. "Over there." She directed the light to a metal cage, its door ajar.

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