Dark Sanity
Chapter Four

The Defiled Mine

It was another humid day. The sun blazed fiercely as if it were about to explode with a furious rage of flares. Flint sat on a bench in his porch, holding his journal. He occasionally glanced at the farm. For a brief moment he watched Sarah graze new cattle she’d bought from aboriginal herders; Tom was helping her. In the meantime, Amanda stayed inside washing dishes since the others had finished eating breakfast. Flint, who could hear the clatter of dishes, smiled when he looked at his children. Yet his face grew stern, focusing his attention back on his notebook:

It’s been three months and nothing has really changed, not even the weather. March has never been so hot, and yet it’s warmer than ever. I’m longing for winter. But these days June isn’t even cold anymore. At least we haven’t had any violent dust storms. As I wrote, nothing much has changed.

Most families here in Desonas are happy and content, but Amanda and I continue to have meaningless arguments. Most of the time she’s frustrated by me leaving to hunt with Joey. I will never give up hunting, especially since I’ve stopped eating bush tucker. Yes, that is what I meant to record here. I’m starting to believe that Browder was not insane.

My dreams have become more vivid. They are definitely not some narcissistic form of escaping as Doctor Tutherfield had suggested. Something different is happening. I don’t know if Yeramba has the truth, but I’m convinced these “dreams” of mine are not simply random. I had one last night and Hamarah was there again.

Hamarah keeps telling me that I have to “remember” but I don’t know what that means. Remember what? She hasn’t been able to tell me yet. I’m finally convinced she’s not a fantasy in my subconscious mind. It’s even possible that she’s waiting for me somewhere.

When I dream of Hamarah I feel that I belong with her. Sometimes I am at a beach, the barren wilds of Australia, or near some kind of aboriginal site in the dreamtime. I may not always know where those places are, but I’m certain they’re real, like Hamarah.

The only reason why I haven’t left to replace Hamarah and spend my life with her is because of Sarah and Tom. They keep hoping things will get better between Amanda and me. But the truth is that it’ll never happen, not as long as I keep having these dreams.

Flint started to hear distant thudding. He looked up, noticing his best friend approaching on his mustang. Joey tugged the reins of Buddy when he reached Flint’s house, swooping down by the porch.

“Howdy, Flint,” said Joey, saluting him.

“Morning.”

“How’s yer diary goin’?”

“It’s a journal,” said Flint sternly.

“Diary,” coughed Joey.

“Journal,” repeated Flint.

Joey gave out a hearty laugh. “Boy, how I love teasin’ ya. So, are ya ready ta go huntin’ sum bustards wit me, partner?”

“Of course,” said Flint, rising from his bench. “After all, we still have to replace out who’s a sharper shooter.”

“Twenty coins fer me,” said Joey, mounting back on his horse.

“Deal,” replied Flint, the lips of his mouth curling into a smirk. Entering the corral, he released Donna and prepared her saddle. He then whistled at his son. “I’ll come back later. If your mother asks for me, tell her I’m with Joey.”

“Okay,” replied Tom. “Have fun.”

Sarah was too far from her father to say anything since she was grazing the cattle, but she waved at him in the distance. Flint waved back after mounting his steed, excited to hunt bustards with his best friend. Before leaving, however, Walter Hamel approached the house on a dappled horse, screaming like a madman. He shouted so loud that Sarah rushed over to replace out what was wrong.

“Cross!” he yelled out. “Cross!”

“Walter, calm down,” said Flint.

“The mine,” he said frantically. “It’s horrible.” He then started to stammer, “There was a cave-in. They’re all trapped.”

“Oh my God,” said Sarah. “Jake’s inside the mine!” On the verge of crying, she ran to get her horse. Flint, however, grabbed her arm. “Don’t you dare stop me!” she shouted, pushing him away. “I’m going with you, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me!”

Flint, startled by her reaction, replied, “Sarah, there’s no way in hell I’m letting you or Tommy come. I don’t even know if I’ll be able to help them.”

She ignored him, mounting her horse.

“Sarah?”

Nudging her horse, she rode out of the corral without another word, making her way to the mine.

“Sarah!”

“Whoa,” said Joey, his eyebrows raising.

“Unbelievable,” said Flint. “Tommy, I need you to stay here and watch the farm. If your mother asks…shit, I don’t even know what to tell her anymore. Forget about it. Just keep an eye on the cattle and vineyard.”

Tom complied, staying in the corral.

“Let’s go!” said Flint urgently.

“Wait,” said Walter. “Can’t we leave from here?”

Flint shook his head. “Six miles south from here leads to a cliff,” he said. “We’ll have to leave from the town square and travel southeast.”

“Gotcha,” said Walter, following him.

The trio left, riding fast. Flint was hoping to spot Sarah; however, she was nowhere in his sight. The Steward and Froehlich families stood near their fences, startled when Flint and his companions passed them. There wasn’t much they could do, especially since their children were not older than five.

Reaching the town square, they noticed Marshal Salomon standing near his office. He wore a frantic expression. Upon seeing Flint, he stepped down from the veranda and gazed at him in disbelief.

“Flint?” he said in a hopeful tone. “You’re going to the mine?”

“I’ve already told you that I made a vow to protect these people, Marshal,” said Flint. “I can’t do this alone, though. Jake needs you now more than ever, and there’s nothing you can do here except worry. Come with us.”

Salomon hesitated but went into his office and brought out supplies: lassos, dynamite, and ammunition. He then got on his horse and joined the group.

Flint knew this was going to be a long journey, but he was prepared to do anything since Sarah wouldn’t listen to reason. That’s when he realized he wasn’t actually traveling to the mine for the townspeople—it was for his daughter. This realization made him feel awful because it meant he was selfish and indifferent. He nevertheless rode toward the mine, earnestly ready to help anyone who might be in trouble.

The quartet eventually passed the massive rock formations of Uluru and Kata Tjuta. They occasionally spotted different animals such as hopping kangaroos, scuttling wombats, and even a bellowing koala bear that was clinging to a tree. Meanwhile, in the distance, they were able to see a girl horseback riding. Although they were gradually catching up to her, she was still far away.

“Cross, is that your daughter?” asked Salomon.

“No, it’s Amanda,” said Flint, making Joey laugh. “Who else would it be, Marshal? She left like a madwoman the moment Walter said that there was a cave-in at the mine. Apparently my daughter thinks she can save Jake and the others on her own.”

“I see,” replied Salomon, surprised. “Goodness, sometimes people do crazy things for love.”

“And then some,” said Joey, guffawing.

“Let’s hurry and join her,” said Flint. “I don’t want anything happening to my daughter.” The others complied, increasing the pace of their horses as he shouted, “Sarah!” She didn’t look back. “Sarah!” She finally slowed down, allowing her father to catch up to her. “Are you crazy?” he yelled, staring harshly at her. “You’ll get yourself killed traveling out here alone with nothing but a horse!”

“I’m not going home,” she said firmly.

“I didn’t say you had to,” he responded, irked. Noticing she had her rifle, he gave her a bandolier. “Keep this in case we’re attacked. The aboriginals reported dangerous animals in the wilds.”

She took the ammo, not showing any signs of gratitude.

“You’re crazy, you know that?” he added.

“I’m just following in your footsteps,” she said.

Flint shook his head. “Yeah, I guess you are. Just…never leave like that again. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.”

“Welcome ta tha team, cowgirl,” said Joey.

“Thanks,” said Sarah, smiling weakly. She then glanced at Walter and Marshal Salomon, giving them a quick nod of acknowledgement while riding south. “I only went to the mine once to see Jake, so I don’t remember exactly where it is. But I think we’re getting close.”

“I reckon yer right,” said Joey.

“Yes, good memory,” said Flint. “I think we have to turn a bit more east though. It should be visible in about ten more miles.”

“You mean you’ve been there before?” asked Walter.

“I passed by a few times with Joey while hunting,” answered Flint. “But I’ve never gone inside, nor have I ever wanted to.”

“Not a mining person, eh?” said Walter. Flint shook his head at Walter who added, “Me neither. I’ve always preferred running a business, which is why the saloon worked out just fine for me.”

“Best saloon Australia has ta offer,” said Joey.

“Cross,” called out Salomon. “I know you’ve made it clear several times already that you don’t want to work at the mine—obviously things are a bit different in this situation. Still, thanks for coming.”

“Just doing my job, Marshal.”

Midday arrived before the quintet knew it. When the sun started to set, they were finally able to see the mine. In the distance, they saw a massive pit. It looked as if a quake had torn the land apart, forcing a part of the ground to sink two hundred feet down.

“Here we are,” said Salomon. “Panzo Mine.”

This mine, owned by the titan-steel brothers, was two thousand feet deep, bigger than the ancient Super Pit gold mine in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. Upon arriving at the mine, Flint became more cognizant. How men could dig such a gargantuan pit was beyond him. It seemed unfeasible to him, even with the presence of the Panzo brothers; however, Flint wasn’t about to become a detective when his friends’ lives were at stake.

“Gettin’ here is one thing,” said Joey. “Gettin’ down there is another.”

“It’s not as bad as it looks,” replied Salomon. “Just follow me. I’ll guide you down there safely.”

“Be my guest, Marshal,” said Walter, feeling distraught.

Flint and the others followed Salomon on their horses. They gently tugged the reins of their steeds, cautiously riding along the mushy side roads while descending corner ramps that resembled the ridges of a mountain. It took them twenty minutes to reach the bottom of Panzo Mine. They then searched around to see if anyone was there. Not a minute later, Deputy Ted Thornton came over on his horse from the opposite side of the mine.

“Thank goodness you came,” said Thornton. He noticed Sarah and her father right beside the marshal. “Flint? You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“Where is Jake?” asked Sarah.

“He’s…they’re all buried inside,” said Thornton grimly. “I tried using all the dynamite I could replace, but it hasn’t helped much. I’m sorry.”

“All right,” began Salomon, “let’s split up. The mine has several entrances, which are all scattered around. I’ll check around here. Walter, stick with me. Joey, you’ll go east with Deputy Thornton. Sarah, check the westward entrances. Cross, you search the northern region. If any of you hear the slightest whisper from my son or the miners, come back to me immediately. I don’t want any dynamite used until we know exactly where they are. Understand?”

Sarah was the only one who didn’t respond.

“Understand?” repeated the marshal.

“Yes,” she said, sulking.

“Off you go then,” he said warily. With the exception of Walter, the others turned their horses around and left. “This area seems to be sealed tight,” he went on. “It must’ve happened here. Come on, Walt, let’s check southeast and go in from there.”

Walter followed Salomon on his horse.

In the meantime, Flint rode north. Before going far, however, he nudged Donna to swerve west, glancing at Sarah.

“Are you going to be all right?” he asked.

She nodded. Flint knew the answer she’d give him, but as a father he felt the need to ask anyway. He tugged Donna’s reins, making her gallop northward to an entrance in Panzo Mine. Flint dismounted his steed when he arrived.

“I’ll be back soon,” he said to his horse.

Donna nickered as he patted her snout. He then entered a tunnel resembling a cave. Its walls were a mixture of solid dirt and rocks with shafts keeping everything stable. Oil lamps, their lit wicks burning, allowed Flint to see the path on which stood carts filled with ore; they were scattered around the passage.

Flint ignored the shiny minerals and kept walking through the mine. The sun’s light eventually dissipated, and the only light remaining was from the oil lamps. Silence fell, broken only by his footsteps while he treaded upon the mashed ground. When he descended down the path, an earthquake occurred. Though it was brief, it shook Flint up. He hesitated to go farther. For all he knew, the mine would fold and collapse, burying him alive.

“Hello?” he called out. “Is anyone in here?”

He heard his own voice echo in the dim tunnel. There were no responses. No one seemed to be inside the northern section of the mine. Dust fell from the dirt-covered ceiling, causing him to cough. When hearing distant sounds of shafts creaking, he grabbed an oil lamp and broke into a run.

Another quake occurred, dust falling on his clothes. He brushed the dirt off, sprinting toward the exit. The path illuminated as he drew closer to the entrance of the mine. His heart pounded while he wondered whether he’d make it in time. Upon getting out, he expected the tunnel to collapse at any moment. The northern sector, however, did not crumple.

“I hate mines,” he muttered, still panting.

Mounting his horse, he rode south and returned to where Salomon was supposed to be waiting. He saw two entrances, one of which had been sealed. Yet when he arrived he heard a scratching noise emanating from a circle-shaped slab that blocked off the entrance.

Flint dismounted Donna, placed his lamp down, and approached the sealed mining shaft while trying to listen to the faint noise. Then, before he could even realize it, dynamite exploded inside. The circular slab blew off, soaring toward Flint. Normally, such a vast object would have crushed any person. Before it fell on Flint, however, he seized it with his hands, feeling it was as light as a gun when in fact it weighed hundreds of pounds. He threw the slab aside and stared at his palms in disbelief. In the meantime, Bas emerged from the mine, gawking at Flint.

“I knew there was something different about you,” he said in a coarse tone. “But that’s just between us.”

Flint gave a faint nod, still dazed at what he’d done.

“Listen, Flint,” continued Bas, “I don’t know how Marshal Salomon convinced you to come here, but I’m mighty grateful because I think you’re the only one who can help me get my brother back.”

“What about the others?”

“I don’t know,” said Bas, looking troubled. “There’s something down there, Flint. It took my friends.”

Flint gazed at him, confused.

Bas went on, “Salomon’s son and my brother were the only ones who weren’t taken...at least for now.”

“Bas, what the hell are you talking about?”

“You’ll see,” replied Bas, loading his shotgun. “You better arm yourself, Flint. There might be more of them. I tried blocking the path so it wouldn’t come to the surface. But, since you’re here, maybe you can kill it—or them.” He cautiously walked into the mine, the barrel of his shotgun directed at the ceiling.

Flint grabbed the lamp and pulled out his magnum, following him.

“Good, you got yourself some light,” said Bas, glancing at the oil lamp. “It seems to be afraid of light.”

“You keep saying it,” said Flint, perplexed. “What is this it?”

The titan-steel brother stayed quiet while he led him deeper inside. In the meantime, Flint pointed his magnum up.

“Bas,” continued Flint, “I’m not going farther until you tell me what’s down there.”

“I don’t know what it is,” said Bas. “All I know is that it’s not human. I don’t even think it’s an animal. But if anyone can kill this thing and save the others, it’s you.”

Flint felt nervous as he reentered Panzo Mine. It looked similar to the northern zone he’d gone into earlier except it was much deeper. There were shafts and carts and rocks with veins of titanium, which had never been seen before in Australia. It was getting darker inside. The narrow path they walked through led them down to a passage that no longer appeared natural. Metal of an unknown alloy replaced the wooden walls in the mine. Even the ground and ceiling were made of metal; it was a hidden structure.

“Did you and your brother build this?” asked Flint, slack-jawed, wide-eyed. He glanced at Bas who shook his head, causing his heart to skip a beat. “This can’t be real. Where are Brock and Jake?”

“If they’re still alive they should be waiting for me past the next door,” said Bas.

Flint’s heart pounded heavily again, his forehead covered with sweat. Something was unnatural about the mine—something awful. He nevertheless followed Bas until they reached a massive metal door. Flint thought it resembled the slab that had flown onto him when Bas freed himself, except this one appeared to be in mint condition.

“This is it,” said Bas. “Are you ready?”

“I don’t even know what we’re up against!” snapped Flint.

“Listen, if Brock and Jake aren’t on the other side, then I think we should seal this door and forget about the mine.”

“What?” said Flint, glaring at Bas. “Have you lost your mind? Nothing has ever scared you before. You and Brock are the titan-steel brothers. Let’s go in there, get the others, and kill whatever it is that may have taken them. All right?”

Bas gave a faint nod, aiming his shotgun at the door.

Flint noticed how focused Bas became and added, “It might actually be better if we get Marshal Salomon and—”

“Pointless,” interjected Bas flatly. “He wouldn’t last a second. I couldn’t replace or speak to Deputy Thornton, but I was hoping he’d tell Marshal Salomon what happened only in hopes that he’d convince you to come here. And don’t worry, I haven’t told anyone other than Brock about what really happened during our wrestling match.”

Recalling that experience made Flint feel disconcerted. It seemed impossible, like how he’d caught the slab, not to mention him being in this warped mine of unknown origin—yes, all of this seemed impossible, he thought.

“Trust me, you’re the only one who can help,” said Bas.

“Okay,” said Flint. “What do you want me to do?”

“With that secret strength of yours, I bet you’ll have no trouble opening this door with one hand,” said Bas. “Lower the lamp if you have to, but not your gun. When the door opens, back away as fast as you can or else you may end up like the others.”

Flint nodded at Bas and approached the door. Lowering his lamp, he stared blankly at the metal door. He had absolutely no idea how to open it. Then he saw a hole on its right side, which was the size of a human fist. Flint placed his hand inside, feeling a knob. He turned it clockwise. While he twisted it, the door made a clicking sound and opened.

“Get ready,” said Bas, grimacing.

He was a nervous wreck as the metal door swerved open. There was no one in the pitch-black tunnel. That, however, was the least of Flint’s worries when he raised his lamp. Peeking inside, he noticed the walls were covered with patches of slime that resembled human mucus. Some of the ground was covered in gunk too. Flint was speechless.

“It spread this far already?” said Bas, looking horrified. “That’s it, seal the door! Brock and Jake are done for. Hurry!”

“No,” replied Flint. “This is your brother we’re talking about, and Jake’s my daughter’s fiancé. He’s the only man I can see her marrying. You can leave if you want, but I’m not going anywhere without them. So either get out or prove to me that you’re a titan-steel brother.”

“You’ve got balls,” said Bas. “I’ll give you that. But let’s see if you still have them when you replace what’s in there.”

Flint went inside first. His boots became sticky as he stepped on the slime. Stepping over it sounded like he’d been going through a tunnel of mud. Although he could hardly see anything, the lamp aided him. Bas trudged behind Flint, aiming his shotgun up. Both of them shuffled their feet while goo sporadically fell from the mucky ceiling.

They turned at a corner and entered a narrower chamber. The walls seemed to be inhaling as if they were alive. Flint glanced at the side, noticing bubble-like pods hanging along the walls. When he drew his lamp over to the inhaling pods, however, he realized that they were cocoons holding the miners. He gasped at the sight and felt the urge to vomit; yet he managed to take a deep breath and hold it in.

If what existed before his eyes had been a dream, then he was most certainly having a nightmare. But he knew this wasn’t a dream, especially since Hamarah did not exist here. She was nowhere to be seen, and almost every time Flint had a dream, he ended up being in either a beautiful grove or beach with her. No, this wasn’t the dreamtime; this was real. And reality was draining Flint of whatever sanity he had left.

“Still have your balls?”

“Bas, this isn’t the time to be mocking me,” said Flint. He glanced at a cocoon again. “I think your brother’s inside that thing.” Bas checked, realizing it was true. In the meantime, Flint walked across and noticed his daughter’s fiancé imprisoned in another pod. “Jake’s here.”

“What should we do?” asked Bas, distraught.

They suddenly heard something hiss deep within the tunnel. At that precise moment, Bas turned and fired his shotgun. Flint aimed his magnum ahead but didn’t shoot. Whatever dwelled inside continued to hiss. Bas fired again and started to reload his shotgun. As he did so, a shadow moved toward him. Glancing up, Flint saw a humanoid creature hanging on the ceiling, clawing its way to Bas.

Flint lifted his magnum and blasted the beast’s chest just as it lunged at Bas. It fell down, screeching. It then growled, scuttling back into the shadows. The creature resembled a hunched man except it had greenish skin, needle-shaped claws, and lacked irises in the eyes.

“What the hell is that thing?” asked Flint, dismayed.

“I tried to warn you!”

“Here,” said Flint, pulling out a sleek hunting knife and handing it to Bas. “Cut them free and get them out of here.”

“What about you?”

“Someone has to replace the others,” said Flint.

Bas agreed, trying to cut his brother loose with the knife.

“It doesn’t make any sense for it to be inside here,” went on Flint, “but there’s only one thing that creature could be—a yowie.”

Bas raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

“It’s what the aboriginal people call a yeti,” said Flint. “Problem is, I don’t remember them talking about it putting its victims in cocoons.”

“Then maybe it’s not a yowie, or whatever they call that damn thing,” said Bas, finally freeing Brock.

Flint shrugged, keeping his guard up.

After a minute, Bas removed Jake from the gooey cocoon and put him over his shoulders. He then attempted to heave his brother. “I’ll be back in case you replace the others,” he said.

“Now you’re living up to your name,” said Flint.

Bas faintly smirked while he left the chamber. Once he was gone, Flint grabbed his lamp and continued walking through the slimy tunnel. Despite him going deeper inside, he didn’t hear any hissing or growling.

“Not so vicious now with a bullet in your chest, are you?” he shouted.

Flint no longer felt nervous, nor did he feel as though he were in a horrible nightmare. He was feeling confident, especially since Bas had seen what he saw. Most importantly, he felt sane. Flint entered an antechamber and looked at the walls. This time he saw dozens of cocoons, which were holding the other miners captive.

“Holy shit,” he muttered, staggering at the sight.

Flint glanced down, noticing blood. He quickly searched the chamber but didn’t see the creature. The blood was his only lead. Cautiously following the trail, he noticed several familiar faces imprisoned: Kevin Smith, Martin Aleman, and Daren Linko. Bas returned just before Flint continued through another passage.

“Where’re you going?” inquired Bas.

“I’m following its trail of blood,” said Flint. “The others seem to be inside this room. Get them out of here while I hunt this thing down.”

“All right,” said Bas. “But be careful.”

Flint nodded, entering the passage ahead. It was another narrow, dark tunnel. This was new territory that not even the miners had explored. Yet the walls looked manmade; they had panels with long vertical slits where steam exhumed. After observing the wondrous chamber, Flint crouched down and noticed more blood. He clenched his teeth, rose back to his feet, and trudged onward.

“Come out, you fucking monster!”

Once he reached the center of the chamber, the wall panels hummed, emitting light. Flint cringed, startled by the lights that flickered on. He aimed his magnum at them when the creature scuttled toward him from the oozy ceiling. Flint managed to see it from the corner of his eye. He swiftly targeted it and fired his gun, blowing off its left foot. It screeched in agony, plunging onto Flint and pressing him against the slime-covered floor. Flint tried to use the abnormal strength he had in his arms, pushing the monster away; yet it barely budged. That’s when he realized that the creature had melded its limbs onto the ground, holding him in place.

There was nothing Flint could do except hold the monster back from sinking its teeth into his face. It jittered and screeched in a desperate attempt to eat him alive. Flint groaned loudly as he continuously tried to push the creature away. It gradually drew its mouth closer to him. Slime dripped down from the monster’s mouth, splotching Flint’s shirt and vest. Then, without another intake of breath, a bullet jammed right into the beast’s forehead.

Sarah had just entered the chamber, aiming her Winchester rifle at the beast even though it had already loosened its grip on Flint. The creature was dead. Just before Flint could free himself, however, its body burst into a blob of ooze, enveloping him with its remains. Sarah shrieked, rushing over to her father who started drifting away into a coma.

“Oh my God, dad!” she cried out.

Flint heard his daughter scream for help and felt her holding him even though he could not move a muscle. None of this could be real, he thought. He was expecting to wake up in his room any moment now. But that wasn’t happening. Instead he closed his eyes and gave up on figuring out what was real.

“We’re coming!” exclaimed a voice behind him.

Just then, Bas entered the chamber with Salomon; however, Flint fell unconscious before anyone could ask him whether he was all right.

Several minutes passed. The sounds of people screaming filled Flint’s ears. He could hear explosions, as well as feel the vibrations of what seemed to be a bomb going off. Then he heard the reverberation of bullets. He desperately wanted to open his eyes. Oddly, something prevented him from doing so. Flint couldn’t see anything, yet he knew that the resonating environment was nothing more than a war-torn wasteland. Searing smoke brushed over him while he lay helpless to the screams and explosions.

Silence descended over the ruined terrain. It was near midnight. Flint could finally open his eyes. He lay beside a tree on a hillside. Strangely, he saw no signs of a war. Then he gazed at the sky. Countless stars were in the firmament, but Flint couldn’t see the moon despite the fact that there were no clouds. He rose and looked ahead, seeing Hamarah by the hillside’s ridge. She sat alone, stargazing. Flint walked up the hill and joined her.

“I dreamt of a war,” he said. “So many people were helpless and frightened. Even I was afraid.”

“That’s because there was a war,” she said.

“Why can’t I recall anything?”

She didn’t answer him.

“I want to remember everything,” Flint went on. “You don’t understand, Hamarah. It’s as if someone has purposely removed a part of my soul. I feel as though my life has been one long dream. Being here in the dreamtime has become my reality—my freedom. Australia has become a prison to me.”

Hamarah had a sad face, refusing to look at Flint. “I’m sorry, my love, but I can’t help you,” she said.

He sighed, deeply frustrated. “Hamarah, how can I put an end to the war if I’m always imprisoned?”

This time, she stared at Flint while placing her hands on his face. “If you truly want to end the war and help the people who have suffered, then you must first help yourself,” she said enigmatically. “Always bear in mind that you must fully understand yourself before you can ever understand and help another.”

She tenderly kissed him. He closed his eyes, kissing her back. To him, she smelled like lilac blossoms and felt as soft as silk. He desperately wanted to stay by her side and forget his life in Australia. Upon kissing her, however, he trembled and coughed out water.

Flint convulsed in a pond by a canyon, opening his eyes. Brock and Bas held him tight in the water. He choked and fidgeted. Realizing he had recovered, the titan-steel brothers brought him to the surface. Flint gagged and wheezed for air when he fell on the wet ground. Sarah ran to her father, hugging him. In the meantime, the others around Panzo Mine praised Flint, including Brock and Bas. All of the miners had, like him, recovered.

“Dad, are you all right?” asked Sarah.

“I think so,” said Flint, still coughing. He spat out some water and then glanced at Brock and Bas. “Why drag me in the water?”

“Sorry,” answered Bas, scratching his head. “We were just trying to clean that mess off you.” He paused for a moment and said, “You remember, right?”

“Do I remember?” responded Flint, attempting to stand on his feet. He glanced at his drenched arms and then gazed at Bas with a distraught expression. “That wasn’t a nightmare then, was it?”

Bas shook his head.

Flint couldn’t help feel distressed. The only relief he felt at this point was seeing the miners among him.

“I don’t know what the hell that thing was or why it was even in the mine,” said Flint, faintly panting. “I’m just glad you’re all safe.”

“Ya sure had us worried, partner,” said Joey, approaching him. He patted Flint on the back, which made him unexpectedly cough. “Eh, sorry ’bout that. Anyway, it’s good ta see yer safe.”

“Thanks,” said Flint. He took a deep breath, holding Sarah tight. “But that wouldn’t be the case if my daughter hadn’t been around.”

Sarah blushed and kissed her father on the cheek.

“Did you reseal that door, Bas?” asked Flint.

“Yeah, as soon as I got you out of there.”

Marshal Salomon came over and firmly shook Flint’s hand. “You saved my son and all the miners,” he said proudly. “Once again, the town of Desonas owes you more than it can ever repay.”

The miners, including Daren Linko, concurred. Brock and Bas praised Flint again. They even lifted him above their shoulders, making him smile and chuckle.

Salomon continued, “I think we can all agree on giving this man an award. How about it, Cross?”

“All I care about is a home for my daughter and son-in-law,” said Flint.

“Then a house it is,” said Brock. “Bas and I will build it with our company.”

Sarah, shocked by this news, hugged and kissed Jake who appeared just as surprised.

“Though,” added Brock, glancing at the darkening sky, “I reckon we return home before it gets too late.”

“You read my mind, brother,” said Bas. “Let’s tidy up and get out of here!”

The miners, still horror-struck by what had happened to them, gathered their belongings and helped one another load their stagecoaches with whatever materials they had left. Most of the raw materials they’d unearthed were perfect for building homes, weapons, or coins should they create a new economy one day. Brock and Bas each managed their own stagecoach while Kevin Smith, Martin Aleman, Daren Linko, and Deputy Ted Thornton took the reins of the other stagecoaches.

Jake, meanwhile, approached Flint. “Bas told us how you barged in there. He said if he had a third titan-steel brother, it’d be you.”

“He really said that?” asked Flint.

“Yes,” answered Jake. “Thanks for saving my life.”

“You shouldn’t even be thanking me,” said Flint.

Jake smiled and stayed beside Sarah. Noticing that Bas was ready to leave, Flint walked over to him.

“Tell me, what will happen to the mine now?”

“It’s over,” replied Bas. “But no worries, Brock and I will replace another site. It’ll be better than this one. I guarantee it.” He then tugged his horse’s reins. “See you in town.”

“Take care,” said Flint, waving.

“Cross,” called out Marshal Salomon.

Flint turned around and noticed that the others were already on their horses, waiting for him to join them.

“Are you coming?” asked the marshal.

Flint hesitated for a moment and answered, “I’m sorry, Marshal, but there’s something I need to do first.” He could tell that his response wasn’t going to fly with Sarah from the look on her face, so he decided to lie: “I promised Yeramba I’d help him tonight. Sarah, tell your mother I’ll be home tomorrow.”

“Are you sure about this?” she asked, giving her father a dubious look. “Mom’s going to be worried. Can’t your friend wait one more day?”

“I’m sure he can,” replied Flint. “But I’m sure your mother can wait too.” His choice of words made Sarah frown. Although she didn’t argue, it was obvious to Flint that she went from being happy to sad in the blink of an eye. “I’ll be fine. I promise.”

“Okay,” she said, trying not to sound too upset.

“Take care, partner,” said Joey, saluting him.

Flint waved back, watching his friends ride off until they vanished from his sight. Only he and his mare stood by the canyon. He heard crickets and cicadas with an occasional hoot of a barn owl. A slight breeze brushed over him as he looked up at the partially clouded, starry sky. This had become his freedom; it was all he had left in life, he conceded. To be out in the barren wilds was a sanctuary compared to the penitentiary that he dared call Desonas.

“Why am I still living in this shithole?”

Overlooking the now derelict mine, he took a deep breath and gazed at the wide, empty expanse. He unexpectedly felt that the arid land of the Northern Territory had an eerie beauty to it. Yet without Hamarah, his one and only soul mate, Australia was as dead to him as the rest of the world. The time was coming when he would set out to replace her. But where to? He had no idea.