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The Caves (5) : To any explorers visiting the new Reservoir, they may find that just a bit away from the sandy water are a set of caves. Some of these connect back to the lake, but others rapidly plunge into darkness. It wouldn't be hard to get lost in here, but thankfully there are some very odd lights to help guide you out. If you turn off your light down some of these dark paths, you may find yourself surrounded by glowing pastel lights. A closer inspection reveals that you seem to be looking at some sort of glowing caterpillars. An internet search will reveal that Destiny City scientists have been researching the strange, unnamed creatures, but the articles are very limited. If you take them out of the cave they seem to shrivel up almost immediately. They’re neat, but clearly meant to be stay in their natural habitat.
Kianna hadn't explored any deeper in the cave, but she knew there was more to uncover. She was determined to find out more about these mysterious creatures. She was determined to find out what was so special about them. Not only that, but after some serious investigation she had found that these creatures and her parents might have something to do with each other. Well if not the creatures maybe the cave? Since she couldn't quite make out the faces in the photo she found, she could make out this cave. This cave literally was the only one around with pastel lights in the background. She held the photo in her hand as she ventured into the cave. She looked around and followed the lights. She wasn't sure how deep they might lead her, but she didn't care. After all her parents wouldn't be home till close to midnight so she had so much time to explore.
As Kianna ventured deeper into the cave, she couldn't shake the feeling that the glowing caterpillars held the key to unraveling the mystery surrounding her parents. Their connection to the cave and these creatures seemed too coincidental to ignore. With each step, her determination grew, fueled by the anticipation of discovering the truth that lay hidden within the depths of the cave. That was when she noticed a group of catepillers that were in a corner of the cave. They didn't follow the pattern of the rest of them. She knew this had to be a sign, so she quickly rushed over. As she touched the catepiller in the middle, she was shocked to feel a tingle of electricity flow through her body. So she quickly placed them on the rock next to her, but when she looked back at where she had grabbed the catepiller she noticed something on the wall where it was sitting. She gently tried to remove the other catepillers from the spot and as they moved. She noticed some writing on the wall, and that was when it hit her. She held the photo up and realized this was the same place the photo was taken! "I found it!" she said as she jumped up and down. Her biological parents were here at one point, standing in the same spot as she was. Her heart was pounding as she read the words on the wall, "Together in the darkness and Light. Never apart.- A&L." As she read the words tears filled her eyes as she pulled out the locket around her neck. She had been given this during one of the events in Destiny City and the words on the wall were inscribed on the locket. Tears fell from her eyes as she fell to the ground. She didn't care if all the catepillers climbed all over her or not, but for once she had found a clue. A real clue. She knew their first initial which was more than she ever knew before. As she held that locket she sat there against that wall for what felt like hours. She found she would never leave if she had a choice.
For today she felt so close to something she had always wanted to know. Her parents. Not her amazing parents at home, but the ones who left her behind. The ones who no one knew anything about. It was like they were ghosts. It was almost like they never existed since it had taken her so long just to get here to this spot. Yet even now she knew she had such a long way to go. The locket was not just a piece of jewelry; it held a deep emotional connection to her parents. The inscription on the locket mirrored the words on the wall, reaffirming her belief that her biological parents had indeed been in this very place. Holding the locket close to her heart, she felt a renewed sense of determination to uncover the truth about her origins. As she sat there she felt her eyes close and she just lay against that wall. In that moment, with her eyes closed and the weight of the locket against her chest, she could almost feel her parents' presence embracing her. It was as if they were whispering words of encouragement and promising that she was on the right path. A sense of peace and purpose washed over her, fueling her resolve to continue her search for the truth.
She had no idea how long it had been since she closed her eyes, but all of the sudden her phone viberated in her pocket. Reminding her that she needed to get back to reality. She had a family that would be home soon, and she couldn't let this quest of hers affect the family she loved. So she wiped her eyes, and quickly snapped a photo of the wall with her phone. Taking one last glance at the inscription on the wall and clutching the locket tightly, she reluctantly stood up and made her way out of the cave. As she emerged into the last of the sunlight, she took a deep breath, feeling a mix of both excitement and sadness. With the photo as a tangible reminder of her journey, she knew it was time to return to her loving family and continue her search for answers from within the comforts of home. As she walked home, she couldn't help but replay the moments in the cave over and over in her mind. The weight of the locket against her chest reminded her of the connection she longed to have with her unknown parents. She felt a bittersweet mix of hope and sadness, knowing that while her journey to uncover the truth had only just begun, she had a loving family waiting for her at home. She was ready to give her mom and dad a hug, and maybe she could even order Chinese food for dinner tonight. After what she had just experienced she needed to be surrounded by those she loved tonight. Everyone always thought she was tough and strong, but even she sometimes needed the support of those around her.
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