Walking through the canyons by myself wasn’t a good idea, I knew this from the start. I’ve been venturing the Grand Canyon for a couple of years and have always buddied up. It’s just the smart thing to do. But today I was mad at the world and didn’t want to be around anyone. I think I even said something similar as I stormed out of the house; like, “I’d be better off living like a hermit in a cave, away from the ignorance of humanity.”
Yeah, well…be careful what you wish for.
As I was blowing off steam, I noticed a jon boat on the side of the river. I was in a mood, so decided to take it for a spin, with every intention to return it. I traveled quite a bit up river. Then, I noticed stains on the canyon side about 1500 feet above the river bed. Intrigued, I ventured over, noticing steps leading into a cave. Carefully walking in wishing I had a gun, flashlight and other handy hiking items, I found a passageway converging to a larger space.
Towards the back side of the cave sat a stone statue. Of what? A God? I didn’t know. It was sitting cross legged with a lily flower in each hand. Surrounding this God-like statue are smaller stones formed into varying shapes. Some looked like cherubs, others like demons. I also saw small stone shaped animals. As I got closer to inspect the small stones, I noticed a shimmering substance behind the largest statue. It looked like a huge piece of quartz, which drew me towards as if hypnotized.
My eyes fixated on the quartz; my hands moved towards the beautiful shimmering crystal. Something in my mind told me I shouldn’t touch it, but I couldn’t stop myself. Both hands grabbed the crystal and as soon as I did, my palms felt like I had placed them directly in fire. Suddenly propelled backward as if electrocuted the quartz was still in my hands as I laid on my back.
I couldn’t move; as if I was on the drug Halothane and paralyzed. As I laid on the ground helpless, I heard shuffling behind me. The cave wall opened slowly. I couldn’t see anything, but I could hear what sounded like two people muttering gibberish. My body was lifted like a puppet on strings. Floating above ground, I moved into the cave behind. I saw stone statues scattered everywhere. Some look like animals. I saw a bobcat, a deer, a bear and others. Then, I saw human shaped stone statues. Brought closer, I saw that some of the stone statues resembled people of modern times. Hiking boots, cameras, mobile phones, eye glasses, all part of the stone figures. I’m placed in between two of them.
Now, here I am, trapped in a cave; paralyzed and no one knows where I am. I know my fate. I don’t know how long it will take, but in time, I will be a stone statue as well.
As I lay here contemplating my death, I remember the legends of some ancient civilizations in this region. Legend speculated that some depicted their gods as white men. So, at least I will die knowing I was sacrificed to be the God I always knew I was.