The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 1: A Journey to Nicaea • 33

“Wait,” Joseph called back into the tunnel, “you don’t know where it comes out!” It was quiet for a moment, then Cesar reappeared at the hatch. “Ari knows!” he said, grinning at me. The others watched for my reaction to Cesar’s challenge. Though I had passed through the wall, I had not discovered anything like a palace. But I was feeling stronger, so as Cesar climbed out, I got up and peered into the hatch trying to recall the twists and turns of my route. “Don’t even think about going back in there” warned Joseph, “we need to get you back to the hotel to rest!” I wondered if Joseph was feeling guilty for convincing me to come on the walk, since I had fallen. Cesar announced that he was going to explore the tunnel with or without us, and Preacher suggested we at least find the man who rescued me and try to communicate with him by drawing. “It’s not far to the other side,” I begged Joseph, “besides, I want you to see the image for yourself.” Our Late Night Adventure It was now completely dark, with only a few widely- spaced street lights showing the way to our hotel in the distance. We stood there silently for a while, until Preacher broke the stillness. “Forward, men!” he said, pulling a cell phone from his hip pocket and using it to light the way. Cesar and I followed close behind, and Joseph, reluctantly, came in after us. As soon as Preacher encountered the dazzling image of the wheel and crosses, he froze in his tracks.