After one full year of caching, I set out for the elusive 5/5 cache. This would require tools beyond the usual items and gathering knowledge from atypical places. What started as a solo project morphed into an awesome group adventure which was tiring mentally, emotionally and physically. This is one of the more popular caches in the state and its mystery is a major part of its allure. The difficulty in writing this log was in how to write a log that approached the awesomeness of the cache without revealing any details about it which would ruin it for future seekers. This is what I came up with:
On my 1-year geocaching anniversary, SinWyrm, The Hekawi TRibe, Don and Mich, & I went out to search for the Well. I won't spoil it for anyone else but this was an awesome cache! In order to keep the mystery alive, I mixed some fiction and some reality in this 5-part story. TFTC!
To my dear and patient wife, Mary,
I pray you receive this letter as I fear we will never see each other again, neither in this life nor the next. It is with great regret and longing on which I look back on our most recent meeting and the anguish it brought you. As you recall, it all began with that cursed dream. There was but a flicker of light, similar to a single match in a cold, windowless dungeon. I heard a voice, that voice, that God-forsaken voice calling out to me, “Help me! I am not who they say I am!” I yelled back, “Forgive me, sir, but I know not who you are, neither your true name nor your alias.” “Tom Kennedy!” were the last words I heard before the footsteps came and his scream of pain reverberated through my body. I awoke with such a start, sweating profusely and hearing his name echoing in my head.
Of course, I disregarded the whole event afterwards as just a wild and vivid dream, an overactive imagination searching for release. Nothing more, nothing less… But a fortnight later, his voice came again. I heard the same plaintive cry, the same pitiful longing for justice. The next morning, it was all I could do to not think of that man. I could not concentrate on my work which suffered greatly for it. My employer was all too happy to give me leave early to rest at home. Ha! I should have known then that my life had been forever changed already. There would be no more rest for me until it was time for my eternal rest.
After some days, I attempted a walk around town to clear my head of these visions, hallucinations, dare I say, delusions which plagued me. I had walked for miles when I recognized the local library. I entered the great hall and began my research. Dear Mary, the reason I did not come home on those many nights was because of this quest, nay obsession which had obscured my common sense and consumed my mind, nay, my very soul. Throughout all this, rest assured I never stopped loving you. Alas, while the sentiment may mean something as I write this, they are but empty words now considering where my path has taken me.
(Part 2 of 5)
I scrutinized dozens of books searching for this man, Thomas Kennedy. I began to think myself mad as I found no evidence of his existence at all. Until … I saw a book cover. Indeed, there were no pages inside. The book which should have been contained within the leather case was titled “Well of Troubled Souls.” On the inside of the cover were only two items. A strange symbol and a picture of a grave … Thomas Cannady’s grave.
Finally!!! I had made a breakthrough. I rushed over to the librarian and asked her if she knew where the Well of Troubled Souls was or if she knew the location of the grave. In her eyes, I saw a brief flash of shock, or perhaps the candlelight was playing tricks on me. In my near-delirious state, I could hardly be sure. She responded that she had never heard of the man nor did she realize the book, or book cover, was even in the library. She attempted to wrest the book from my hands but I held to it tightly. I told her I would need it for some time. She replied that it should be discarded as it was clearly defective. I then told her I would take care of that duty myself and hurried out of there before she delayed me even further.
This had all become too strange. Who was this man and why had every trace of his existence been erased other than this book remnant? I walked through town and attempted to gain more knowledge as to the grave’s whereabouts but no one professed to have known of the gentleman. It wasn’t until I met a woman named Lucinda Cavefinn on a snowy, December day when I had another breakthrough. She took me to a cemetery and along a windy trail. I started to get a bit concerned as the path became narrower and darker when I saw a headstone. It looked like any other gravesite although the distance at which it was placed from the other graves and the lack of maintenance at the site gave it an odd feel. Why were they trying to hide his grave? Was he one of the titular troubled souls?
(Part 3 of 5)
Lucinda gave me a sheet of paper which looked like it was part of the book. As I turned around to look at the grave again, I noticed the symbol etched in the stone. I turned around to ask Lucinda about it but she had vanished. Where could she have gone? It was then that I noticed there was only one set of footsteps in the snow! My God, I must be going insane! But, this page! Surely, this page is real! As I calmed myself down next to the resting place of Mr. Cannady, I looked at the seemingly random pictures and markings. Holding it up to the sky, I could see handwriting that was barely legible, as if it had been erased or written with some type of invisible ink. Other oddities on the page seemed to be hinting at me. Was there a hidden code? Into what horror have I gotten myself involved?
After deciphering the code, or what I assumed was a code, I traveled to a spot and found a note. It pointed to me a different location. It felt as if someone was leaving me a trail to follow, similar to those fictional children, Hansel and Gretel. I did not know what I would find, if anything, if I continued. I traveled a bit more and heard a strange voice. It was a helpful voice but one I’d never heard before. When I asked its name, it said, “I go by 'The Hekawi Tribe.'” Verily this was a lost soul though I knew not if it was troubled. I desired to continue on but the trail had grown cold. I would have to attempt this again on another day.
After some more troubled nights, I went back to where my search had ended and, again, I ran into the The Hekawi Tribe. We searched and searched and found nothing. Fortunately on this day, my guild had a meeting and, having no good fortune in my investigation, I decided on a attending. On the way, I passed a milestone marker. There was a funny sensation as I went by so I stopped to look more closely. God must have been taking mercy on my beleaguered soul as I received a hint as to where to search next.
(part 4 of 5)
On the following day, I went back and met not The Hekawi Tribe but a different soul, one named “SiNwYrM.” Now this must be a troubled soul given the sin and worm parts of his name. Given the information I received at the milestone, I was able to decipher where to go next. Alas. I had other matters which required my attention so the search was postponed yet again. We now come to last week. I informed KPanko, a colleague of mine, of my obsession and he obliged me by accompanying me for a few hours. On this venture, we encountered The Hekawi Tribe again. This time, there were two of them. Indeed there may be a whole tribe of them and not just one lost soul.
We went forth encountering odd items in even odder locations. Then, blast it all, the trail ran cold again. After a good-faith effort, we retired for the noontime meal. As we walked to the local café, we came upon a kind-hearted firefighter. Because someone in his position would have a superior knowledge of the surroundings, we requested some advice as to how we should proceed. He told us that our eyes were the key. Look around, signs were everywhere if you looked properly. We never did hear from this kind sir after that. I pray nothing ill became of him.
After our meal, my colleague left me as he had a previously scheduled appointment. I went back to the previous ending spot and understood what the firefighter meant. We rushed along and at the next part where we expected to find something, we did! We had no idea what it was! Why was fate cruelly torturing me so?! This hint or clue or whatever one would call this abomination was not leading me on but seemingly laughing at me, acting as an impenetrable obstacle on my way toward the truth. I needed to know the truth! I needed to know why the truth was being hidden! And who is that strange guardian who tried to delay us by interrogating us or regaling us about irrelevant history?!?!
Later that night, I received a vision from The Hekawi Tribe. It was then when I realized I was marked for I could commune with souls even at a distance. The path to the next stage was made clear. Mid-week, the trek continued and, despite our best efforts to do things safely, some blood was spilled. How could The Hekawi Tribe spill blood? Was there still some humanity left attached to the wandering spirit? Then I wondered if I was losing my humanity as I went along. However, I quickly put an end to that line of thought as the pull of the well of troubled souls pulled me along. Continuing on the journey, I realized I was ill-prepared for what lay next. I could not venture forth alone.
(Part 5 of 5)
So, dear Mary, that is the recounting of the events that have brought me to today. I used my recently-acquired skill of speaking with souls and convinced SiNwYrM and The Hekawi Tribe to join me. SiNwYrM spoke of two other souls who had once searched for the trail but had not completed their journey, Don and Mich. I could not discern why they were troubled as they had normal names. Early this morning, some steps were retraced as the timing of all of our journeys were not synchronized. After a few minutes, we had all reached the same point in our adventures and could continue as one.
We arrived at our final destination. I said a quick prayer as I was about to descend (ascend?) into the well of troubled souls. As I walked, I was brought back to that dream, Mary. I felt the dark, cold environment and beheld the minimal, almost infinitesimal, light from which I could draw and go forth. The trek seemed interminable; the return would be nigh impossible. The way kept getting longer, darker, and narrower. My strength began to fail me. Before I realized it, I was on my hands and knees, in pain and nearly in tears as the souls kept calling me to them. SiNwYrM, The Hekawi Tribe, Don and Mich kept pushing me on yet I knew not where I was going and I no longer seemed to care. I had crossed the line and gone too far. I knew I could never return to society, to the life I had, to being the person I once was. As I felt the darkness begin to consume me, there appeared a vision of you. You deserved the truth. Our love and our time together, I had thrown it all away over this obsession. The least I could do is to tell you what I had done, what I have become. I hope this gives you closure, Mary. Though I deserve no longer your compassion or time, I ask of you this last request. Please hurry to church and pray for the souls of those who are content, who live happily upon this mortal coil. Pray that they may remain peaceful and blessed by God Almighty. As for me, do not issue forth such prayer. I foolishly chose this path and I must accept its consequences. There is nothing a prayer or God can do for me now; I am now fated to spend eternity in this well of troubled souls.
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