Read Shadow Cave for Free Online

all I could think for a moment. The rest of the pages Mike had included in his file detailed the various creatures and beings of the world in specific and terrifying clarity. The rest had detailed the treasure of sorts throughout the land. Mines and caves and oceans full of gold and jewels and oil. Well , I thought, shaking my head, that probably explain s John ’ s involvement ; rather , his apparent obsession to get to Mike and now me . He didn ’ t really want either of us. He wanted at least one part of the key and he wanted to get rich. Richer, I amended silently. Follow the money, right?
    I glanced down at the pages again as I shoved them into my bag. I had a choice to make. I had enough information to find the key, destroy it and consider my brother as good as dead, for he would certainly be forever gone to me. According to the legend , if the key was destroyed, the doorway to the ‘ other ’ land would be closed forever. The key was actually believed to have been destroyed. If it had been, I would be at home , I thought bitterly. Mike would be safe. Things would make sense. Hard as I tried, I couldn ’ t see the excitement in the situation the way Mike had. Not that I tried too hard. There was nothing like running for your life to dampen the mood.
    I pressed a cold hand to my forehead and surveyed the room one final time. I was pitifully lacking, I suddenly realized. What did people do when they were on the run? False identification? Yes, I nodded, smiling a bit. That ’ s what I needed. A fake I.D, lots of cash. A fake passport and hair dye. Oh, and scissors. I would have to cut my hair. Every spy movie I had ever seen was running through my head. Yes, I nodded again , pleased with myself for such quick thinking. I had to effectively cease to exist.
    But where did one go to purchase a fake I.D.? I exhaled then, feeling deflated and defeated. I realized I had no idea how to go about getting a fake I.D . or even who to ask. A computer search might help, but I wasn ’ t sure I had that kind of time. I doubted that people would advertise their services for a quick and confidential fake record transfer , anyways. With the limited resources I had at the moment, it wouldn ’ t do any good to learn the process for myself.
    Well, shoot. I could pay in cash, but realistically, I would have to leave the country soon. There would be no way to go unnoticed at the airport. I had to use my passport. I had to use my credit card too; my bank was six blocks from my home , and I could only take $300 dollars from an ATM. I chewed a fingernail and gave this a moment ’ s thought.
    “ Can ’ t be helped , ” I muttered, and on that sentiment, I closed the door and stepped out into the hallway.

Chapter Three
     
    Unfinished Business
     
    I sang in a nervous pitch as I drove along the highway to the storage facility Mike had left directions for in his note. I thought that was as good a place as any to start. Going back to my house and digging up my backyard was not going to happen , as much as I could have used those documents. And I really did need them, but… .
    But nothing , I told myself firmly. It was foolish at best to think about going back there. So I steadied my hand on the wheel and tried not to stare at the world ’ s gaudiest bracelet, which now hung at my wrist, and turned off the main road into the parking lot. The storage ‘ building ’ was more like ten buildings ...t he place was huge. For being off the highway and on its own, it was remarkably crowded.
    It was close to three o ’ clock in the afternoon and the sun was bright and cheerful. I stepped out of the car and was glad I had opted for flat shoes instead of heels as I navigated the rough gravel of the parking lot. The clothes were flashy enough without drawing further attention by falling on my face in a parking lot.
    The storage facility was actually my second, or rather third, stop of the day. The first had been an outlet mall close to the motel