Living Darkness~+~ [[ Wild One, M ]]

John's bright eyes skirted the entrance of the sinkhole, his body nearly trembling as he examined the possible entrances. Inside, was a surprise. Outside, was the secretive wrapping. After doing a routine check of his gear, John rubbed his bearded chin and climbed towards the cave's entrance. He slowed near the opening and settled himself onto his stomach. A humid breeze caressed his cheek as he peered inside the tiny opening. A breath parted his lips, and he reached forward. John's hands, which could tell stories like a history book, grasped the limestone of the small hole. He pulled himself forward, and wedged his smaller frame into the tunnel. After a few yards, he stepped out into a wet, rock room. A few soda straws dripped from the ceiling, and his feet sank slightly in a mixture of mud and guano. The scent of minerals and water relaxed his muscles and cleared his mind. A rare smile split across the normally quiet and mysterious man's lips. John pulled his boot from the muck, making a sort of squelching sound. He moved over to a rocky surface and kicked his boots off. He reached to his belt and clicked his flashlight on. The wet formations glistened in the yellow lighting, and a sigh escaped John's thin lips. He rested his piercing blue eyes a moment, and took in all the sounds of the cave. It was silent, and his ears picked up on the steady drip drop of water as it cascaded with the floor of the cave. He smiled, and started down a risky but beautiful tunnel. The cave was one of his favorites, and he knew it like the back of his hand.

--Later--

Warm, bright sunshine pushed at John's shoulders as he neared the small cafe. It was a mom and pop shop, and it smelled of rich coffee and syrup. The blue of his eyes seemed to dim to a light silver as he stepped inside the artificial lighting, and he straightened his jacket. As he trailed the series of booths and tables, he thought about how the day might turn out. He was part of a small group of cavers that were informed about caves as they were discovered. Few people braved the tight tunnels and pitch black atmosphere that came with the eerie silence of caves. John's eyes rested on two tables that were slid together and filled with about four people. He recognized Nick, a close friend of his who had invited John along. Nick knew John well, and thought it very clever to bring him along. He knew few other people that could name minerals and formations, as well as creatures, as easily as John could. He weaved around a table or two before taking a seat beside his friend. "Hey bud, we are so psyched! What about you, are you pumped?" He exclaimed, his teeth bright and his eyes glowing. John's lips curled slightly, but in a barely noticeable manner. "Sure" He said quietly, and let his eyes trail around the group. There were three men, and two women in the group. He recognized the couple that he had caved with a few month back, but they were a little too arrogant for his liking. The other woman was new, and John looked her over in a glance. She was beautiful, and seemed to be a sweet, caring young woman. He turned his attention to the husky woman who had come by to take his order. John told her he would have a glass of water and his usual. The dish consisted of eggs, sausage, and toast. As Nick divulged in an intriguing story of a cave he had explored with John and another young man, John unwrapped his napkin and weaved his knife over and under his fingers. The movement out of lack of things to do, but he clearly wasn't bored. John's mind wandered freely as he listened to the story and the sounds that echoed from the small cafe's kitchen.