The Cave

^{Photo by Maddy Weiss on UnSplash}

---

The old man watched the cave with great interest. He felt insecure, something strange as if an invisible, flying force were placing a wall in front of him. He had wandered through that place many times since he was a child, and he liked to hide among the outer cliffs that loomed like fangs at the entrance to the cave.

The sensation wouldn't leave him alone; it enticed him, but at the same time it frightened him. Slowly, he managed to overcome his fears and stood in front of the cave entrance and looked in. It was very dark and quiet, he felt panic again but this time it was very mild.

Suddenly, a whisper manifested itself pronouncing his name. He thought it was the work of his imagination and quickly ignored it, but he heard the faint voice again and it petrified him.

"Austin, don't be afraid, just follow the sound of my voice," he said in a strong tone, it was a very melodious female voice.

The old man left the cave entrance and went deeper. "How glad I am to have you back, it's been a long time!"

"Who...? Who are you?" replied the old man.

"I'm Laila, we were friends during our teenage years, but you don't remember. Your memories were erased so that you would never come back here and free me."

As he finished explaining, Austin shuddered, as if a bunch of tiny caresses brushed the center of his ear.

"We knew each other? Deleted memories? Is this all true?" Austin said hesitantly.

"Yes, I'll explain. Years ago you and I were chosen to save the breathing world inside this cave. There was a great evil manipulated by an evil sorcerer, who kept the good magic of this world subdued.

"We fought against it even though we had many difficulties, but you were braver and took my hand and conveyed courage to me. That day we defeated the evil sorcerer, I smiled and looked into your eyes with strong intensity.

"I wanted to tell you for a long time, Austin, I'm in love with you! But before he was vanquished forever, the evil sorcerer put a permanent curse on both of us. To me, he confined me to this cave forever and to you, he erased the memories of everything we lived through."

The old man couldn't believe it, then he got a slight headache and began to stagger until he leaned against the wall. A strong memory hit him like a flash and almost knocked him to the ground, that's when he slowly began to reminisce.

"Show yourself, I want to see you!" Austin said anxiously, and from the ground in front of him a spring gushed forth and the waters rose taking on human form.

She was like a spring that never ran out, Laila watched Austin happily and smiled.

"How can I help you?" the old man asked.

Laila didn't say a word, she just moved closer to Austin's face and bestowed a wet kiss. Suddenly, the cave began to shake. Laila's body began to glow so brightly that Austin had to pull away, covering his eyes. The cave had become an incandescent white glow flooding everything until, finally, everything returned to normal.

Uncovering his eyes, Austin found a woman lying on the floor. Her hair was dark and her skin was cinnamon. Austin recognized her immediately and remembered everything he had experienced with her. He helped her up - oh, she was more beautiful than he remembered!

They embraced, and as they did so, a sudden hoarse voice spoke to them from somewhere deep in the cave: "Thank you," was all they heard.

---

THE END