Chapter six
Pete and Jenny get weapons
Pete and Jenny had collected many weapons made of solid gold, of different kinds. With these weapons, they dared to take a chance at returning back through the passages or corridors that led to the various entrances they encountered as they moved from one golden chamber to another. Pete constantly reminded Jenny of the importance of recalling every obstacle, corridor, or passage into each chamber they found and entered. They always noted the black arrow at the beginning and end of every entrance into the chamber. Their only fear now was the possibility of the deadly creatures that killed their brother Charley following them. They had to be very conscious of every step they took as they returned back through those passages or corridors to those entrances. However, Pete was confident that the weapons they had collected would help them as they attempted their first escape from the land of gold.
Both of them took each step consciously, ensuring their ears were sensitive to any unusual sounds coming from the passages or corridors as they returned to the gates at the entrance of the land of gold.
It had been one year and six months since the Tolen children had gone missing. The media in the city of Zinatano, both print and electronic, had been filled with the news. Every authority responsible for search and rescue had been employed to solve the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Charley, Pete, and Jenny. Rumors suggested that the kids might have gone to the city of Kalkulta, where people of unknown identities had also gone missing. The frequent disappearances had made the place a dreaded abode.
The police DPO Mr. Tolen had visited about a year and three months ago had been transferred and replaced with a new one. The city of Zinatano had undergone several structural transformations, with upgraded roads, beautiful gardens, parks, and even an international airport located on the outskirts northwards of the city. The Tolens had become quiet and conservative, rarely participating in social and community activities. The news they received had been filled with sorrow and sadness. As a family, they refused to give up the search for their missing children, despite the toll it took on Mr. Tolen's finances, health, and the family's emotional well-being.
"Don't worry, everything is going to be okay, and we won't give up the search for our children until we find them," Mr. Tolen reassured his family as they sat in the living room watching television. Mary, their daughter, would watch her parents talk about their missing children, unaware of the full extent of the situation. Mrs. Tolen expressed her grief, questioning why their children had gone missing and what might have happened to them. Mary observed her parents, wondering about her mother's tears and sobbing, still too young to fully understand the situation.
A month later, while Mrs. Tolen was preparing lunch, a police officer arrived at their door. The officer informed Mr. Tolen about the search team's efforts and the new search warrants issued. The officer mentioned rumors of a "land of gold" and the mysterious disappearances associated with it. Mr. Tolen shared his concerns about the potential danger his children might be in if they were in such a place.
The officer assured Mr. Tolen that the police would continue their efforts to find the missing children and promised to investigate further about the "Land of Gold." A week later, the officer returned with updates on the search team's strategies and the forbidden nature of the land of gold. Mr. and Mrs. Tolen were grateful for the officer's efforts and information, though they were left pondering the mysterious circumstances surrounding their children's disappearance. As the Tolens continued to grapple with the anguish of their missing children, they found solace in each other and in the hope that one day they would be reunited with Charley, Pete, and Jenny.