Chapter 7: Is that a cave?

At the end, the teams were finalized. Me, Rick and Nina will go on our regular route while others will followup the plant trail.

'We will contact you if we find something' I turned and told them before we starts walking again. It's not easy to get signals here but we can still try.

David also turned and replied 'Okay, take care'. I am sensing some other pair of eyes looking at me other than David's and even without looking I can those eyes are not friendly. I moved back and joined Rick and Nina I ain't going to look at Emily's ugly expression.

We walked along the narrow route taking support of the tree trunks as the surface was slanting with irregular spaces in between. The soil was getting more and more moist.

'Here take my hand' Rick offered both of us his hand as it was time to jump off this descending terrain. We took support of his hand and got on the plain ground again.

'Just few more meters' he reassured. One thing I know about senior is that he is very responsible. With him you feel no worry, especially me being the most careless person. It's good to have somone responsible in team.

As Rick had said in some few meters we reached the lake we were looking for, lying in middle of nowhere. The lake's water was clean surrounded by trees and greenery all around.

I bent down to pick some water in my Palm, it really is clean.

'Okay girls be careful the soil is damp here so don't slip' he cautioned us and with that I tripped.

'You okay' Nina shouted running towards me it feel like with this speed she will hit ground too.

'Yea I am not in water at least. I am fine' I was fine just a tiny knee scrap it's good that I didn't fall in water. Rick looked at both of us and sighed with a face palm.

We noted down the flora diversity nearby. Rick even checked the lake for some insects and microbes.

'Lets scout the area' I suggested and both of them nodded. We should go around and search its quite a big land we might something useful.

The place has a cool environment shrubs surround the area near lake. We walked near the mountains there's a chance of finding some small animals there too.

The terrain was rough and moist. Rick was helping Nina on the way, as I am experienced. From the childhood I have joined mother on various trips for her researchs just don't mind my clumsiness.

In few meters to right ahead on our way I notice something. 'Is that a cave?' I asked others with confusion. What a cave is doing here?

'Lets check it's not clear from here' Rick said and with that we all walked towards that opening in the rock. Getting close to that area we realize its not a cave or at least not a natural one. It clearly looked like a fresh artificially drilled one.

'This doesn't look like a normal cave' I said stating my doubt

'Yes, its not if I am correct its a mine that someone dug here' Rick answered with a serious face looking straight at that two feet long opening in the rocks.

In my heart I knew the answer and feared that. still I am shock and even sad 'How can a mine be dug here?' I asked my face going dark and mind sad.

'Why can't here be a mine? We have them all over the country' Nina asked with curiosity

It's given Nina is unaware about this. This area comes under government protection for conservation of flaura and fauna. There are regulations regarding entry of people to protect animals from poaching and the local diversity. The locals of this land has rights to take decision regarding this forest and I am pretty sure they will never allow this mining here.

'It shouldn't be here because this forest area is near a protected land under law made by government' Rick replied checking around the area.

'There's no worker or big machinery so at least its not functional for now' I stated looking around usually mined areas have big machineries. This is a good news for now, that the work has stopped but for how long? we need to check the situation.

'The signals are not that great here so I can't check or discuss this issue for now' Nina said tapping her fingers all over the phone. She raised her phone in the sky in a hope to try to get some signals.

'Lets check around the area for someone' Rick said moving along the path which was leading somewhere downslope.

'Hey look I see some people over there' Nina said pointing towards our left at some distance away. She was right just a few meters ahead there were two people discussing something. If we need information regarding this whole situation it's best to have a talk with locals in the area.

Rick waved to them to let them know about us approaching in case they will feel hostile, a good move. There was an old man holding a stick with his left hand and another man placing his hand on the elderly's shoulder providing him with support. We got close to them.

'Hello sir sorry to interrupt you' Rick greeted them they looked at him bowing their head in greetings.

'We are actually students from the next town nearby. I was looking for someone whom we could ask few questions' he continued knowing they are not hostile with us.

'This is very deep in the forest what are you people doing here? Its not safe around' the younger man from them showed concern for us. They seem like nice people glad we met them.

'The sun is going down already it will take you hours to get out' the old man said looking at me as I stare at the sky above.

'We saw an rock opening which seems drilled Is that a mine here?' Rick finally asked them

As soon as they heard Rick's question a sadness emerges in their eyes and their face went down.