The Number 8 by Joel Arcanjo Read Free Book Online Page A

Squashed into wetsuits, submerged in ice-cold water and all that in complete darkness.” Dante flapped at Asmir like his comment was foolish.
    “Are you kidding me? What could be more romantic than staring up at a million bright stars?”
    “I think you mean a million bright worms.”
    “Whatever, it’s still romantic. What’s going on with you? You are the most romance-crazed person I know. You used to believe that everything could be turned into a romantic situation. So what is it?”
    “Nothing. I just don’t feel like a freezing cold cave is the place for romance, OK?”
    “But like I just said…”
    “Az, leave it, OK?” Dante pleaded. It wasn’t aggressive but it was the final word.
    They continued to unpack in silence. Dante caught Asmir glancing over every now and then, looking worried. Dante paid no attention. He didn’t have any intention of unloading what he had on his mind. Most of it Asmir knew but Dante didn’t want to rehash it. He was committed to this trip. To the mission of this trip. He didn’t need to give attention to these negative emotions and risk spiraling again.
    “What about you?” Dante finally said.
    “Better after that sleep. Still a little pissed off at our friend Dick.”
    “OK, good.” Dante paused, there was something on his mind. Asmir saw this pretty quickly.
    “Spill it.”
    “Have you noticed a couple of the passengers actively avoiding each other?”
    “Meaning what?”
    “OK, so people glance at each other from time to time, even those that don’t know each other. But there are a couple of passengers who
never
look at each other. You know me, I love to observe people and the dynamic is weird.”
    “Explain…”
    “They never sit closer than six rows apart, they’re never caught in the same group of people and like I said, the weirdest thing is that they never look at each other.”
    Asmir dipped his hand inside his pocket and pulled out the crinkled piece of paper.
    “Take a look at this,” Asmir said, handing it over to Dante.
    Dante read the four words and began to say something but Asmir pre-empted him.
    “On the bus, by the middle rows. No idea who it’s from or who it’s meant for.”
    “Think it could be the two passengers?”
    “Could be, long-lost brothers maybe.”
    They continued to discuss all kinds of outlandish theories as to why they weren’t talking. Spies. Alien drones that had been planted on earth to monitor mankind. It all came out. Dante didn’t know what he had noticed but there was definitely something off about their dynamic. It wasn’t even that they actively disliked each other. It was like they didn’t want to be seen together. It didn’t sit right with him. Something was definitely wrong.

Chapter 12
    There was a nervous tension permeating the bus. They had no idea what they were in for. Some were peering out of their windows looking for signs that they were nearly there. Others were silent and motionless. But it was clear that all were excited. They had no idea that Black Water Rafting was a combination of abseiling, freezing water and huge eels slithering through the blackness below them. Dante did, so he was just plain excited, but also restless, checking his watch every five seconds. This made Asmir a little uncomfortable. Asmir had continually tried to get Dante to tell him more about what they were about to go through, but Dante had refused. He didn’t want to build it up only for it to disappoint. After all, Dante had never actually done it before, but he had done several virtual tours. So he knew what to expect and he didn’t mind building it up in his own mind.
    A couple of minutes rolled by and things began to change. People began to see the signs. The caves were 1km away now and the bus began to audibly awaken. Eyes lit up and smiles appeared. Even Viktor was grinning and boasting about how he was “a pro black water rafter.” Dante was sure he had no idea what it was.
    How foolish you’re going to look