Chapter 1: Chapter 1

“Flashlight, check. Rope, check. Fanny pack, check. Harness, check. Gloves, check. Eight water bottles, check. Headlamp, check.  Camera, check. Knee and elbow pads, check. Lastly, First Aid Kit, check!” I said, putting them inside my tackle bag. “All set.”

Today was Sunday, which means no work. Right now, this was going to be my tenth time exploring a cave. I've been attached to caves lately and began studying them. So, I became a Spelunker after some time.

“Now then...”

I went to the closet and took out my red cave suit. I wore it and checked my appearance in the mirror...honestly, I looked good in this outfit. Nonetheless, the more I peered at the mirror, I noticed that there was a pimple on my forehead.

I'm not upset or anything, just curious. Every time I saw a pimple on my face, I kinda want to touch it. But, it was unnecessary and prevented me from touching it because my dirty hands might infect it... 

In the end, I touched it.

Anyway, I hung my bag around my shoulders and exclaimed, “Yosh!”

I looked at the shelves, to see my Doraemon figurine. It reminded me of my home country, Japan. However, I moved abroad to France. Why? Because of the food, city, and especially the Eiffel Tower. 

BRRR!!!

My phone rang in my right pocket and I took it out to answer it.

“Bonjour?” 

“WHERE THE FUCK ARE YOU!?”

The piercing voice slithered into my right ear, and I shouted back, “THE HELLS YOUR PROBLEM!?”

“You're late!”

“I know, I know, and can't you wait? I'll be there in thirty minutes, sheesh.” I hung up and groaned. Dammit, she never changes!

After that, I wore my boots and stomped my feet toward the doorway, to open the door.

 

***

 

After taking a ride on a bus, it took us five hours to reach the Pyrenees National Park. Earlier, it was 8:21 AM. Now, today's time was 1:32 PM. Luckily, we still have time to explore a cave.

“Stay safe, you three,” the park ranger said. “Be sure to get back before sunset.”

“We will!” I exclaimed along with my three friends beside me, while Lya nodded.

After that, we bid farewell to him. Then, inside the forest, Lya pulled my ears.

“Ow, ow, ow!” I winced, as she extended my ear more.

“You got a lot of nerve shouting back at me. How many times do I have to tell you, not to get late!” Lya retorted. “Were you jerking off or something?”

My mouth shut and gradually shifted my head to the left, avoiding her amber keen eyes.

Lya let go of my ear and stated, “Disgusting.”

“Sorry.”

“Sucks to be you, huh?” Andre commented while Beau nodded.

“Shut up,” I replied before sighing. “Can we go now?”

Lya bobbed her head as she led the way and the rest of us followed her. 

On the way, we did some checking on our stuff.

“Flashlight?” Lya asked.

“Check.” the three of us answered.

“Water bottle?” 

“Check.”

“Ropes?”

“Check.”

“Food supplies?”

“Check.”

We didn't bring any camping tent since we'll just explore a cave. Anyway, several minutes later, everything was examined, and none of us didn't forget anything. My bros and I were relieved. If not, we weren't sure what the consequence was. It wasn't because of the cave, it was due to Lya. 

A dazzling woman who was always prepared and strict. In short, the leader of our group. Ever since I met her two years ago, I thought she was kind. But, my expectation was too high that it led me to the opposite instead— sucks, right,?

You are reading story The Puppet Master at novel35.com

Many boys would attempt to take her out on a date, yet, none of them didn't receive a warm response. Instead, all the answers they got were nothing but curses. I couldn't tell why actually?

“So, Yama, have you got used to it?” Beau asked.

“Yeah, although it's kinda scary sometimes.” I shivered before adding, “Especially the hollow sounds.”

Andre and Beau's bodies trembled for a short second as they bobbed their heads in agreement.

“Hey, you know what's scary?” Beau said.

“What?” Andre and I asked.

Beau pointed his finger at Lya and both me and Andre nodded. Without further ado, the three of us proceeded on chatting, keeping Lya out of our topic as much as possible. 

Meanwhile, after wandering around the forest, we hadn't seen a single cave yet or even a small sinkhole to enter. Until Lya abruptly stopped her tracks. As the three of us almost bumped her back. Soon, I discovered the path ahead of us, only to see a sinkhole. A humongous sinkhole!

“Damn...” Andre said.

We gazed at the sinkhole till we realized if we accidentally passed a warning sign. Like, do not enter, or something?

“Let's find another one, this time, smaller ones-”

“Hey, I think we should head back now.” 

Beau interrupted my sentence as he stared at the orange sky. We agreed to go back and turned around. But, neither of us moved nor said anything, just complete silence. While staring at the deep forest. 

Walking back was too risky. Wild animals might attack us if we leave now.

“Wait,” Lya moved her bag in front of her, pressing it against her chest. She rustled her hands inside and pulled out a map. She searched the map. Although, it was dark already. “Shit.”

Hearing that made me and my bro's quiver, as the cold breeze crawled up to our spine.

“I-Isn't there another way?” Beau stuttered 

“Even if I use my flashlight, it still won't help us, because we're far.” Lya shifted her head at the sinkhole and sighed. “We'll go inside the sinkhole.”

“What?” the three of us said in unison.

“We'll go inside.”

“Lya, since when did you learn how to joke?” I said.

“I'm serious,” Lya glanced at me with her usual poker face. “You three, bring out your ropes and tied them up on the tree.”

Lya began to bring out her ropes and gears.

“Lya, I'm against this. It's too dangerous,” Andre stated. “I'm not going.”

“If you're not coming, then I don't mind. But, do you prefer sleeping with the animals rather than staying alive?”

“That's...”

“I-I'll come with her,” Beau said.

I stood straight with my legs shaking and stammered, “I-I'll -c-come too!”

Andre squeezed his fist and he removed the bag from his shoulders and reached out his hands inside to get the ropes. “If something bad happens, don't blame me.”

“I won't,” Lya calmly replied.

If only we brought a camping tent, none of this wouldn't have happened, but, there was no choice.

We tied up our ropes together, making them long. Before tying them up on the tree. Then, we attached the ropes to our harness, tightening it so no one will fall.

Lya inhaled and exhaled. “I'll go first.”

“Good idea,” Beau replied and he got punched in the right shoulder by Andre. “Sorry.”

“Lya, three of us are in front and you're in the back,” Andre said.

“Just because I'm a woman doesn't mean I'm not able to go first? Is that it, huh?”

“Yes, because you're our leader.”

Lya clicked her tongue and she stepped to the side. “Fine, then you three go first.”

“I can't believe we're doing this,” I mumbled and wore the Headlamp, engulfing my dark hair.

You can find story with these keywords: The Puppet Master, Read The Puppet Master, The Puppet Master novel, The Puppet Master book, The Puppet Master story, The Puppet Master full, The Puppet Master Latest Chapter