Shaking my head, I turn again to my left. The memories continue to flood in, and I raise my hands to my head, trying to stop the dizzying sensation.
“There’s so much residual energy. It’s almost…too much,” I say, trying to tune it out.
“Many lives have come and gone in this chamber. Its echo can certainly be deafening for someone unfamiliar to its pull,” Abigail agrees. “Allow your senses to dive deeper. Their calling will cease.”
Nodding, I try to submerge myself through the energy to find a sense of calm. When the images and information slow, I turn again, sweeping my internal gaze across the remaining wall, and the memories and visions abruptly cease. Instead, the energy is replaced by an intense level of tranquility—more potent than anything I’ve ever felt.
“What’s happening here?” I say, reaching out with my left hand as I walk forward from the circle. Despite having my eyes closed, I can see where I’m walking as clearly as if they were open. When I reach the wall, I place my hands on the stones, unable to pick up on any energies at all from them.
“Speak your truths,” Abigail urges.
“There’s—” I begin, unable to form words with the level of insights coming at me. Despite having no immediate energy signature, there is still a web of magic that blankets the wall. I inhale sharply, realizing what it is I’m sensing.“There’s something behind this wall.”
“Indeed…there is.”
Chapter 18
A Wellspring Of Veneration
Surprised by the revelation, I open my eyes, and turn around to face Abigail. Only, she’s gone.
“Abigail?” I call out, stumbling back from the wall. My voice echoes off of the stones and even without using my extra senses, I can tell she’s not here anymore.
Sighing to myself, I return my attention to the wall. I run my fingertips over the stones, trying to understand what makes them so different. In this low light, they look exactly the same as any other stone here. The shapes, textures, and colors are all the same.
An intense reaction settles in the pit of my stomach. It’s like a strange form of déjà vu. Only instead of settling in my head, it’s like a punch in the gut.
There’s something so familiar about all of this, but I can’t put my finger on why.
Overcome with the sudden urge to see what’s on the other side, I claw at the stones, trying to find one that’s loose enough to pull it free. It only takes one to give way and the whole thing starts to crumble under my touch. I pull the stones free, listening to them pepper the ground, as I let them drop unceremoniously to the dirt floor.
When I’ve yanked enough of them to create a small opening, I bend down to get a better view. Ice-cold air rushes at me and I take a small step back, shuddering uncontrollably. Then, I hunch down to peer inside again. It’s hard to see anything. Beyond the edges of the hole, it’s pitch black. In fact, it’s the kind of darkness you only see when you close your eyes—or when you’re underground.
I close my eyes and call out, “Abigail? A little help here?”
My heart thumps unevenly in my chest as I wait for a response. When nothing happens, I stand back up, chewing on my lower lip.
Do I go in? What was the point of showing me this and vanishing? Is it a test?
“Dammit,” I curse under my breath.
Pulling out my cell phone from my pocket, I tap the screen to pull up the flashlight. There are fifteen texts and two missed calls from Wade, but I swipe them away. Curiosity is getting the better of me and I have to know what’s going on now. I’ll call him back as soon as I see what’s on the other side of this wall.
Pressing the flashlight icon, the bright LED light erupts from the other side of my phone. Bending in again, I position the light so it pierces the darkness beyond. At first, not much is visible as the light expands into the emptiness.
A knowing washes over me and I realize if this is a test, I’ll have to do it with these new abilities. At least, that’s what makes the most sense.
Lowering my eyebrows, I shut off the flashlight, then put my phone back in my pocket. Closing my eyes, I settle into the new sight I’d been practicing with Abigail. However, I find that connecting with the stillness is more difficult now without her guidance. With the exception of the rush of cool air, the energy beyond the opening is completely still. There’s almost an undercurrent of reverence that I can’t quite put my finger on.
Interestingly, it only makes me want to see what’s inside even more.
Trembling slightly, I pull a few more stones free, so there’s enough room for me to step through. When the opening is big enough, I hold onto the stones around the edge. Then, I plant one foot on the other side of the wall, and crouch down, leaving the resurrection chamber to enter the other side.
As if walking through an energetic waterfall, my body vibrates from head to toe. In a weird way, it feels like it’s simultaneously grounded and floating. Even though that makes absolutely no sense. The energy then settles into a quaking sensation in the pit of my stomach. When I’m fully rooted on the other side, the chill air subsides, giving way to more stillness.
Exhaling slowly, I close my eyes.
Come on, Autumn. What do you see?
Unable to stop my core from shaking, I deliberately take three deep, cleansing breaths to center myself. The inhalations do exactly as I’d hoped and my shoulders relax.
Settling into the stillness, I perk my ears, trying to pick up on any sounds inside this new chamber. When nothing is evident, I relax
