Page 113 of To Hell With It
Wait for what, though?
His voice was clear now. As clear as the crystal blue lake in Wanaka, as the cloudless sky outside above Roy’s Peak. It was Niall, but how could he have been there?
‘Niall?’
‘Be quiet.’
Why do I have to be quiet?
And then I felt a hand on my shoulder and a voice belonging to it, but it wasn’t Niall’s.
‘Are you OK in there? Just take your time, you’re OK, you’re OK. Keep shuffling sideways, you’re almost through.’ A flash of green caught my eyes, a green arm, the guide’s arm, gently tugged at my hand. ‘I’ve got you, OK?’
‘I’m stuck.’ I gasped.
‘It’s all right,’ he reassured me. ‘Follow my instructions, go slowly, nearly there.’
I was aware that my body started to move and that I moved with it, that the gap had become bigger and I couldn’t feel myself pressed up between the rocks anymore. I had no idea how I’d got out. Just that I had. And that everyone was looking at me with concerned expressions and all I could do was scan the cave for Niall. But he wasn’t there.
‘OK?’ the guide said with one hand on my shoulder.
‘Sorry.’
‘Don’t apologise. It’s not an easy space to get through – do you have a fear of small spaces?’
‘Yes.’
‘Did you tell anyone when you booked?’
‘No.’
I felt stupid.
‘Always best to let us know and then we can make sure we stay with you.’
‘Do I have to go back that same way?’
‘No, there’s a path out through this cave and it’s much wider.’
‘Great,’ I said but I was still shaking, still looking for Niall.
‘Ready to carry on?’
‘Yes.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘I’m sure, thank you.’
It only hit me then that it was much louder in the cave we were in. The sound of gushing water echoed around me, everything seemed wet, the cave was lighter, and I could see the shimmering reflection of the water as it flickered on the walls that were smooth and beige and not at all dark and scary.
‘Just through here is the ancient waterfall. It’s known to have healing powers so if you’d like to reach out and touch it, feel free, but be careful not to lean in too far, we don’t want anyone falling in.’
I followed behind the group; my heart was still hammering, still whacking my chest in a desperate race against itself. I walked along the path and around the corner until we reached the waterfall. It was as magical and majestic and spiritual as they had described. And the sound was so loud it deafened my thoughts, which in itself was healing alone.
I pulled out my phone and slipped on the voice recorder so that I could listen to the sound on my flight home.
A short walk further in, it began to get dark again and the guide turned to me.
