The Cursed Cave
Flash fiction
Stefan and Marco were fully prepared for hiking on that mountain. The locals in the village of Mani told them the ancient story about the peculiar, beautiful woman who was accused of being a witch and was forced to live in exile with her seven children. When the Elderly decided her fate, no one stood up for her — not even the father of her children. They all died of starvation.
“All this tragedy, because the people of Mani who couldn’t handle her beauty.” Said a local woman, owner of the tavern of Mani. She filled their glasses with wine and walked away slowly, only to turn back and point the finger at them, “don’t enter that cave.” That made the older men at the tavern laugh.
It was 1 pm when Stefan and Marco reached the notorious cave. The heat was unbearable, and the cave was indeed the best place to lower the body temperature.
“Are you ready?” asked Marco and laughed. They entered without talking so that they feel the energy - if any.
Stefan walked in first, and Marco followed.
“Do you imagine being forced to live here in exile? It’s freezing here,” said Stefan looked back at Marco and smiling. It was fun to try and create the proper atmosphere.
“Don’t tell me you believe the story…”. Marco was touching the wet rocks inside as if he was a scientist and everything there meant something to him. “I wonder what happened to that British guy who went missing.”
Stefan was thrilled by the story and was trying to live the moment. “O.k. that cave goes deep. I’ll lead the way. Watch out, it’s slippery”.
“Stefan, listen! It sounds like voices”.
“I only hear you. Shut up for a while”.
The rocks inside were forming shapes that, to Stefan, resembled goblins or monkeys. Marco kept whispering.
Stefan wanted to go deeper inside the cave and experience the voices that he was supposed to hear. “There should be children crying and screaming,” he thought out loud.
“Stefan, I feel dizzy”.
“What do you mean?”.
“Look back. Look at me”.
“Why do you whisper?” said Stefan as he turned his head to see that he’s alone. He felt many small hands like a monkey was grabbing his calves. “Dad, stay!” Voices of young children filled the cave. They were naked, standing all around him when suddenly he heard a woman laughing behind him. He looked at her. She seemed sick and tired, but her eyes were laughing. She touched him in his chest, and he felt a sensation both burning and freezing.
Suddenly, warm light came from the deep space of the cave that turned brighter, making him close his eyes. He found himself in a kitchen and smelled the freshly baked bread his grandma used to make. For the first time in his life, he felt happy. He opened his arms to hug his new family.
“Not yet.” Whispered Kalliopi in his ear. “Help him.”
Farther away, Marco seemed like he was screaming in panic while closing his ears with his hands. He was begging for help. Stefan raised his hand, holding a rock, and started hitting him hard, again and again. He didn’t belong in this world.
He stood in front of Kalliopi. “I will stay with you forever,” he told her. He felt his body wet, and he looked at her hand inside his chest, pulling out his heart. With her eyes closed, she bent her head to the right and put her cheek on the warm heart. “το ξέρω αγάπη μου.”
