Standing in the cool, dim cave mouth, the sounds of the party behind them fed the unwillingness Cara felt to venture deeper into the earthy tomb. Over and over the hoarse whisper spoke gently to her mind, “Cara, you have been missed, come – I have waited long.”

Dripping water echoed through this dimly lit tomb, the floor of which shone its warning of a slippery surface; a warning not to take any step for granted. Cool air, but evidence of sweat on the body soaked through the clothes of every one who journeyed through the damp earthy, stale atmosphere. Glistening towers of rock seemed to jut up from the cave floor and as Cara strained to see the tops of each great tower she noticed as the light moved and swayed in the dark, thousands of small finger think pipes of stone that hung from the ceiling.

“Did you bring it with you dear?” The voice from inside spoke lovingly as a parent to a daughter but Cara could not know what to make of it all. Familiar… so very familiar.

“I wonder?” she thought, “Hello?”

She felt so silly, thinking to someone but she couldn’t help try. It occurred to her that it might be possible to talk to her new friend from inside her mind just as he could talk to her inside her mind.

“Hello”, the answer came back quickly and carried a smile with it and though the smile was unseen by her eyes she knew the face, who ever it was - shone the smile beautifully.

“Oh, it really is this simple to talk to you?” she asked.

“Only if you will it, our communication is your decision to make” he answered.

“I have been here before?” Cara couldn’t know of this place or the sound of his voice yet, so familiar. It was a question she wanted so badly to ask her new friends ever since they’d met but didn’t have the courage; it felt wrong to ask then but now somehow found safety in asking the unseen.

“Yes” came the answer, “but let us talk later about such things, you should reach me on the morrow; later in the day. I see you understand how to commune with me now so I will leave you to your journey. You need to concentrate on each step of the way. I will leave you in peace; the way will become more challenging as you progress deeper; closer. Be safe dear Cara, as you make your way home to me.”