I barely got a single minute of sleep after yesterday. The heat and humidity on its own would have kept me up, but being threatened by both Jack Kettleman and Captain Vasquez was playing on my mind.
In the morning, I ventured to the river for some water and I bumped into Mr Herbie and Miss JJ.
In the morning, I ventured to the river for some water and I bumped into Mr Herbie and Miss JJ.
Mr Herbie asked me if I wanted to come with him, he'd show me some things. I was nervous about leaving the port town - what if Jack came into town and found me not there?
Mr Herbie assured me we weren't going far. After all, there was no sign of Mr Kettleman anywhere, no-one had seen him or his people all day - no messages for me, nothing. It should be fine.
He took us up the hill and through "the village" - where the workers of the farms live. On the other side of the plantation was a large stone compound, each entrance closed over with big metal gates. A large building sits in the centre.
Mr Herbie assured me we weren't going far. After all, there was no sign of Mr Kettleman anywhere, no-one had seen him or his people all day - no messages for me, nothing. It should be fine.
He took us up the hill and through "the village" - where the workers of the farms live. On the other side of the plantation was a large stone compound, each entrance closed over with big metal gates. A large building sits in the centre.
Mr Herbie explained that this compound was the seat of the militia, that it was strictly off limits except for what he was showing us - that the militia would kill us if they found us in the compound.
He guided us towards what appeared to be a ruined tower. Around back of the main building there were a collection of cages. Big cages. Big enough for a fully grown adult.....
With that thought, I followed Mr Herbie just a little bit closer.....
He guided us towards what appeared to be a ruined tower. Around back of the main building there were a collection of cages. Big cages. Big enough for a fully grown adult.....
With that thought, I followed Mr Herbie just a little bit closer.....
In the tower there was a ladder leading underneath the compound. We descended into complete darkness - Mr Herbie's lantern the only tool by which we could see.
In the tunnel there was signs of excavation abandoned long ago, possibly when the tower was ruined. Alarmingly there was also a large mettle cage - big enough to hold maybe 20 people. No gate in or out - it's either there to keep people in or keeping people away from something..... I'm just going to keep following Mr Herbie!
In the tunnel there was signs of excavation abandoned long ago, possibly when the tower was ruined. Alarmingly there was also a large mettle cage - big enough to hold maybe 20 people. No gate in or out - it's either there to keep people in or keeping people away from something..... I'm just going to keep following Mr Herbie!
As we walked, the excavations turned into natural caves. Mr Herbie told us to watch our step and the reason soon became very clear!
We peered down a deep crevasse - the light from Herbie's lantern failing to illuminate the bottom. He warned us that no-one knows where these crevasses go, only that everyone who has gone down has never been seen again.
We peered down a deep crevasse - the light from Herbie's lantern failing to illuminate the bottom. He warned us that no-one knows where these crevasses go, only that everyone who has gone down has never been seen again.
The caves twisted and turned aways as we followed behind Mr Herbie, carefully dodging the crevasses littering the floor of the cave.
Eventually we got a glimpse of natural light. Emerging from the cave, we found ourselves on a thin walkway nestled on the cliffs next to the waterfall. The rocks were slippery from the spray, so we treaded carefully, one by one, until we reached safer footing.
We made it to the ledge from where the waterfall spills into the river below. I think this my favourite place on Guarma. Looking over to the hills and cliffs, there's a real beauty about this spot. Almost enough to make me forget there's a murderer here who wants me to bring two of my friends to him.....
Mr Herbie wanted to show me something else. I was worried about being away from the town for this long, but he assured me it wasn't any further away than the trading post.
Mr Herbie wanted to show me something else. I was worried about being away from the town for this long, but he assured me it wasn't any further away than the trading post.
Unlike the trading post, the path to this place involved climbing many ladders and scaffolding to climb high atop a cliff but eventually we made it. Mr Herbie calls this place the "cigar saloon".
It's pretty distinctive - the saloon sign is adorned with a taxidermy coyote with a cigar sticking out it's mouth!
It's pretty distinctive - the saloon sign is adorned with a taxidermy coyote with a cigar sticking out it's mouth!
It's a curious little place this: a ramshackle wood shack, held together with rusty nails and questionable scaffolding - yet beautiful in its own way. Whoever runs it has taken great care, adorning the place with candles and lanterns, beautiful tables and plants, and a piano of all things!
I peered out over the edge. Below us, across from the river, was the compound we just came from - lit up in the dark. Behind it, the fortress rises out of the ocean. Certainly an interesting place this, but I really need to get back to town, and so we set off.
I peered out over the edge. Below us, across from the river, was the compound we just came from - lit up in the dark. Behind it, the fortress rises out of the ocean. Certainly an interesting place this, but I really need to get back to town, and so we set off.
As we walked the path into town, we noticed a large amount of people on the beach. Curious, I checked my binoculars. I could make out Jack Kettleman standing with two other men, Cecily standing in the distance in the treeline behind them, watching the group.
What is going on?
What is going on?
We changed direction and followed the path towards the fortress, taking great care to keep our distance from the groups on the beach. Looking back, we saw a second group standing on the beach closer to the town.
There were two men with dark clothing, rifles out. A man in white clothing stood nearby them. We continued on towards the fortress.
There were two men with dark clothing, rifles out. A man in white clothing stood nearby them. We continued on towards the fortress.
