Clara Fisher, a twenty-two-year-old rescue miner, is stationed right outside of an Indonesian diamond mine which currently has four trapped workers inside. The stress from the situation is bad enough, however, Clara has one more thing to worry about. Every single trapped worker is a child that range in age from twelve to five years old. The beautiful trees and foliage that climb along the mines entrance belies the horrific situation that Clara has found herself in. Thankfully, she's not alone. A rope and pulley operator named Derrick, is currently right beside her. The pulley machine that Derrick is operating looks old... but it'll have to do. The two share very little words as they prepare Clara for her descent.[[Clara suits up]]
Clara: So, just to reiterate. I go into the cave's underground lake area. I find the kids... hopefully all of them. I snag them up, then head back here.
Derrick: That's the plan, Clara. Though, this is a diamond mine.
Clara: Yeah, I know. So, what?
Derrick gives a sly grin.
Derrick: Well... you know. The locals don't seem to really care about this rescue operation. You might as well make it worth your while.
Clara scoffs at her partners crude suggestion.
Clara: Just get me lowered down, Derrick.
[[Lowering into disaster]]
Clara is rigged up with the pulley, and is then lowered slowly into the cave's depths. Clara looks around at the walls of the cave. She immediately notices the fact that the rocks are slick with moisture. Clara: No wonder they couldn't climb out. Suddenly, Clara's rig starts to jerk. Clara: Hey! What's going on up there!? Derrick immediately responds. Derrick: Don't worry, it's just... OH SHIT!
Suddenly, the rope and pulley breaks. Clara falls a few feet and quickly ignores her pain as she regains her composure on the floor of the cave. She then hears it. Rocks and water. Both crash down the hole that was created for her. Clara barely has enough time to run away from the resulting cave in. As the dust settles, she feels her phone vibrate. She answers and Derrick screams on the other end.
Derrick: CLARA! ARE YOU OKAY!?
Clara quickly calms her partner down.
Clara: I am, what happened?
Derrick: Well... The gear they gave us was provided by a local Indonesian miner rescue company. Need I say more?
Clara rubs her eyes. On one hand, she didn't want to just assume that just because the gear came from a local company, that it would be shoddy. On the other hand, she was now trapped.
Clara: I'm sure I can find another way out. I'll call you when I find it.
Derrick: Be careful partner.
Clara smiles.
Clara: See you soon, partner.
Clara then looks ahead as she hangs up her phone. Now that she was on her own, she could now do what she planned to from the beginning...
[[Time to find the kids!]]
[[Time to get started...]]
[[Time to become rich.]]
[[Time to leave the cave]]
Clara grins. Derrick knew her... the REAL her. Without the camera's, news stations, social media, and virtue signaling, she wanted one thing. Money. The local Indonesian people didn't seem to care that there were four kids trapped in this mine. Only the parents, and Clara's miner rescue company seemed to care. In fact, the only reason the mining company the kids worked for even contacted Clara’s rescue company, was because they wanted to resume work for their miners. They didn't even care if the kids died.
Clara wasn't here to judge. She was here to take advantage of this beautiful mixture of negligence, child endangerment and diamonds to get filthy rich. Maybe she'd slide a few diamonds to Derrick... maybe.
First she had to find the work area. She recalled that the work area was due north past the underground lake where the kids were said to be.
[[The diamonds are in their work camp!]]
Clara rubbed her eyes again. Why couldn't things be simple? She worked for a miner rescue company, not a minor rescue company. Shitty jokes aside, Clara was officially fed up. She wasn't naive. She knew that some countries had... liberal child labor laws. But Jesus Christ, at the very least have the kids work in a less dangerous location, she thought to herself. Whatever. Clara had a job to do, and it wouldn't do her any favors to sit here bellyaching all day. She knew that just ahead and to the right was the underground lake that the kids had holed themselves up in. She was, however, curious of their work location, which was further ahead past the underground lake...
[[Lets check out their work area first]]Clara slapped her cheeks in order to hype herself. Her determination would not be snuffed out by a setback like a mere cave in. She was here to save those kids, and she would stop at nothing to fulfill her job. Still, she realized that she would have to find an alternative route of escape due to the cave in.
Clara: Don't worry kids, I'm gonna save you. I swear.
Clara vows this to herself as she takes note of her location. She realizes that she's right under the cave's mouth, therefore, if she continues forward and turn right, she'll hit the underground lake that the kids are located in.
Clara: When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Clara recited this mantra and began walking towards her destination.
[[Finding the kids]]
[[A Nagging Feeling...]]Really? A malfunction as soon as I dscend? Clara thinks this as she looks over the broken parts of the pulley machine. This "rescue mission" felt like it was already doomed and Clara wanted no more part in it. She decides to find the nearest escape and leave this god forsaken mine.
[[False Exit - Bad End]]Unfortunately, the path Clara chose was too narrow to squeeze through. Although she saw light at the end of the passageway, she became stuck almost immediately on the walls of the narrow tunnel. She was unable to both walk further, and retrieve her phone as her hands were now pinned to her sides. No matter how much she yelled, she was unable to get anyone’s attention. There she remains, along with the four Indonesian children who she originally planned to rescue.
Suddenly, Clara feels a strange sensation in the core of her being. Beyond the urgency of helping the children, Clara felt compelled to find out just what kind of work conditions they were subjected to. She knew time was a major factor for their rescue, but she also knew that if she learned more about the diamond mine, she could potentially help some way in the future. With the smell of mold and dirt around her and the pitter patter of water above, she decided to traverse through the underground mine, past the underground lake the children were held up in, and into their work camp which still had the remnants of their decrepit work stations. She took out her phone and took a few pictures...
[[My followers need to see this!]]
[[The kids are more important]]Clara figured that if she simply rescued the children, something like this might happen again. She therefore decided to find their work area. She wasn't exactly sure what her plan would be once she found it, but she knew it involved taking a few pictures of the work site in order to obtain some kind of leverage. Against what, she wasn't sure yet. She therefore walked the rocky corridor, and moved past the channel that would lead her to the underground lake where the children were located. She walked further, and eventually reached their work area.
[[Just a few pictures should do it]]Clara made her way past the underground water area’s entry point and through the narrow rocky corridor which eventually led to the work site. She grinned to herself. Her life was about to change drastically. She quickly picked up a pickaxe. After questioning its structural integrity, she picked a nearby diamond vein and swung. Crack! After a bit of digging, diamond ore eventually fell to Clara’s feet. She wiped her brow and grinned again.
Clara knew that the workers used the underground water area to sift the ore away from the diamonds before sending it above to the rest of the company to further process it. She didn’t have that luxury. She therefore pocketed the ore containing the diamonds and stretched her lower back.
Clara: I’m getting old.
Clara laughed as she contemplated whether she should continue digging or leaving outright.
[[Noxious fumes... better leave]]
[[Diamonds are a girls best friend]]
Eventually, Clara made it back to the underground lake by following the narrow rocky corridor. She immediately became enamored by the beautiful blue and green hue dancing along the cave walls. She noticed a few laughs and turned towards the sound. Their, along the waters edge, were the four children.
Clara immediately called to them. At first, they were terrified, however, that fear quickly morphed into excitement. They must have realized that Clara was there to save them.
Clara immediately asked the children for a way out of the cave system. After all, if anyone would know a way out, it would be them.
It didn’t take the children long. They immediately beckoned for Clara to follow them out of the underground lake, past the work area and through a narrow passageway that they claimed connected to the surface.
[[Our walk, our understanding]]Clara made a point to learn the kid’s names, and a bit about them. The oldest was named, Intan. Intan was their leader of sorts and made most of their decisions for them. then there was a Bakti, who was a bit portly for his age (then again, Clara was rotund when she was his age as well). The next was an extremely shy boy named Arief, and the youngest (and most energetic) was named Eka.
Clara talked with them about a number of things to take their minds off of their situation, however, she soon realized that they were completely fine. Clara had expected at least Eka (the youngest) to be terrified of the situation, however, they all seemed relaxed, almost like being trapped in a cave was a normal event.
Clara explored caves as a child herself. This was one of the reason’s she decided to become a rescue worker for miners and such, but would she have been this calm as a kid in this kind of scenario? She wasn’t so sure.
Clara: Are you guys scared?
The kids looked at each other and all responded almost simultaneously with – No. Clara wasn’t sure she fully believed them, but she was still amazed at the fortitude and maturity that these four boys had.
[[Sacrifice - Neutral End]]Clara noted the decrepit state that the work area was in. However, she just as quickly retreated back into the rocky cavern and through the dark walkway. She knew that rescuing the children was her main priority, and she would have nothing distract her from it.
Eventually, she made it back to the underground lake after retracing her steps from the work area and taking a left turn. She immediately became enamored by the beautiful blue and green hue dancing along the cave walls. She noticed a few laughs and turned towards the sound. Their, along the waters edge, were the four children.
Clara immediately called to them. At first, they were terrified, however, that fear quickly morphed into excitement. They must have realized that Clara was there to save them.
Clara immediately asked the children for a way out of the cave system. After all, if anyone would know a way out, it would be them.
It didn’t take the children long. They immediately beckoned for Clara to follow them out of the underground lake, past the work area and through a narrow passageway that they claimed connected to the surface.
[[My walk, my opinion]]Clara continued to look around stunned. The working conditions were worse than she imagined. There was virtually no safety equipment. The only equipment she saw, were pickaxes and what looked to be soil skimmers. Jagged stalagmites formed all along the work area. She deduced that it was the children’s job to break away the diamonds and transport them to the surface, where further processing would take place. Regardless, she was now filled with a new emotion. Anger. She knew she had to show this to the world. Everyone had to see what kind of condition these kids were working in. It was her responsibility to wake the public up, whether they want to or not! With her new resolve, Clara decided to take more pictures of the underground work area and post them online. She even got into a few arguments with some trolls. She noted a weird smell in the air... kind of like sulfur, but she paid it no mind.
[[Noxious Clouds - Bad End!]]The work site was nothing special. She noted that the equipment looked extremely old. Every pickaxe had a coating of rust on it and the sifting boxes that they used to seperate the diamonds from the dirt, had holes in them. The area itself also looked like it was in very poor condition. There were lamps along the walls for the workers to see in the dark, but even the lamps looked old. Clara took out her phone and took a few pictures. She then turned on her heel and walked back the way she came. Still, a small part of her wondered, which was more important. The kids, which should be obvious, or the pictures that could prevent this sort of thing from happening in the future...
[[A picture is worth a thousand followers]]
[[Lets go get the kids now]]After weighing both options, Clara determined that the pictures were more important. Clara compared it to that old “train choice” she heard as a kid. Something like, is it more moral to save one person on the train tracks by pulling a lever that would kill everyone in the train? Sure, one could argue that she could do both, save the kids and keep the pictures, but she figured that time was of the essence. After all, children could be trapped underground as she thought these things. She knew it made her a bad person, but she still chuckled at the irony of her thoughts. With new determination, she noticed an area that looked like an exit and that had light emanating from the back.
[[False Exit - Bad End]]Clara noted the decrepit state that the work area was in. However, she just as quickly retreated back into the rocky cavern and through the dark walkway. She knew that rescuing the children was her main priority, and she would have nothing distract her from it.
Eventually, she made it back to the underground lake after retracing her steps from the work area and taking a left turn. She immediately became enamored by the beautiful blue and green hue dancing along the cave walls. She noticed a few laughs and turned towards the sound. Their, along the waters edge, were the four children.
Clara immediately called to them. At first, they were terrified, however, that fear quickly morphed into excitement. They must have realized that Clara was there to save them.
Clara immediately asked the children for a way out of the cave system. After all, if anyone would know a way out, it would be them.
It didn’t take the children long. They immediately beckoned for Clara to follow them out of the underground lake, past the work area and through a narrow passageway that they claimed connected to the surface.
[[Our walk, their life]]
Clara walked with the children. Neither she nor they talked much as they traversed the rocky tunnel. Suddenly, she asked something that surprised not only the kids, but herself as well.
Clara: Are you guys happy?
The kids looked confused. The oldest among them, answered.
Older Child: I’m happy. I’m finally getting out of here. Why wouldn’t I be happy?
Clara: No, I mean overall. Like with your lives. Are you happy even though you have to work?
The kids looked at each other as if this question was a great mathematical problem that they were now tasked to solve. Suddenly, it was the youngest one that answered.
Youngest child: I’m happiest when I’m with my friends. I’m friends with Bakti, so I’m happy even here.
Clara hadn’t intended to learn their names, but suddenly, a child who she assumed was Bakti, spoke immediately after.
Balti: I’m happy when I’m eating. I was scared I would starve down here, but Intan found some lizards and cooked them by heating our canteen with one of the lamps from the work site.
The oldest child, who apparently was Intan, suddenly became embarrassed.
Intan: Anyone would have done it! You don’t have to tell her that.
Clara noted his blushing face and the way his eyes shifted. She chuckled to herself.
Suddenly, the youngest child spoke again.
Young child: Are you happy?
Clara almost immediately spoke the customary response of “yes”, but stopped. Was she happy?
Clara: I’m happy that you guys are safe now.
[[Our rescue - Neutral End]]A little more wouldn’t hurt right? Clara continued to dig into the ore and fill her pockets. If wanted to become rich, she needed to put in work. So, Clara toiled away and continued to fill her pockets. As she breathed deeply due to growing exhaustion, she noticed a sulfuric smell, however, she ignored it. This was more important.
[[Noxious Clouds - Bad End!]]Clara began to notice a foul smell in the air... Sulfur. Frustrated, she determined that the best course of action would be to just take a few diamonds and leave immediately, which is exactly what she did.
Eventually, she made it back to the underground lake after retracing her steps from the work area and taking a left turn. She turned back, however, and noticed a tunnel that had light eminating from it...
[[Goodbye kids, good luck!]]
[[Their walk...]]Clara figured the kids would be just fine. She moved away from the underground lake area and entered the small tunnel. If she continued on, she would be rich. She just needed to exit this cave, and all of her dreams would become a reality!
[[False Exit - Bad End]]Clara decided to ignore the tunnel and retrieve the kids. They were spooked by her presence, but quickly steeled themselves and aided her in finding an exit. Clara made damn sure not to arouse suspicion. She needed to get her diamond ores out of this cave and into the hands of someone who could process ore.
Suddenly, one of the kids spoke to her. She determined that he must have been the youngest, due to his small stature.
Youngest Child: We heard someone using a pickaxe, was it you?
Clara’s entire body felt as if it were doused with freezing water. She debated furiously internally whether or not she should tell them the truth. Would they tell on her? She decided to play it safe.
Clara: I used the pickaxe to tunnel towards you boys. Since I’m an adult, the entry way was a bit too narrow for me.
The boys looked at one another. Suddenly, an older boy looked her right in her eyes.
Older boy: Well that’s fine. We thought you took some diamonds.
Clara immediately laughed it off.
Clara: Come on, what kind of rescue operator would get diamonds instead of saving you?
The youngest child pipes up again.
Young Child: There were a few.
The older boy talks again.
Older boy: We don’t care if you did. But the company will check all of us to see if we tried to or not. That’s why if you planned to steal, try putting it in a place where they wouldn’t search. We wouldn’t because they’ll search us everywhere, but they’ll probably only pat you down a little since you are an American and a woman.
Clara was shocked. These boys, were trying to help her get away with stealing. Suddenly a new emotion filled Clara. It was one she rarely felt, but when she did, she tried to act on it. She felt gratitude.
Clara: What are your names?
After listening to the boys tell her their names, Clara repeated them over and over in her head so as not to forget.
Clara: Intan, Bakti, Arief, Eka...
Clara said this over and over as they arrived at the legitimate rescue area, she instructed the boys to close their eyes and not peek. She walked a bit away, and proceeded to move the diamond ores to areas of her body that she never ever assumed she would put something so dirty.
[[Redemption... my own way]]
True enough, Clara was searched after leaving the cave with the boys. Also like they said, she was not searched “thoroughly”. She was therefore able to sneak ores back to America where she had them processed and converted to an extremely large sum of money. However, she did not spend a dime. Instead, she split it six ways. Obviously, she took the largest sum, but she also sent some to Derrick. He always had her back after all.
The rest, she sent to the four boys in Indonesia – Intan, Bakti, Arief, and Eka.
What she did was highly illegal, immoral and all sorts of wrong. But hell, maybe this small act would wash a small portion of her dirty soul clean?
Clara hadn’t bothered to learn the kid’s names but she did attempt small talk with them. Apparently, these children were taught English before they were forced to leave school. That alone was enough of a talking point for Clare to discuss with them.
Clara: I think it’s horrible that intelligent children like yourselves should be forced to work in these mines. If you’re smart enough to learn another language, you’re clearly smart enough to become doctors or lawyers or anything else you choose to become.
The children looked confused by her statements. The only one to respond was an older child that looked about twelve.
Older child: We do want to become those things, but our family is important. We have to work in order to feed our younger siblings.
Clara immediately became angry at that statement. In what world should it fall on children to make that sort of decision?
Clara: That shouldn’t be for you to decide! Really, your parent should be ashamed!
This was the last straw apparently. The children did not respond. However, Clara could tell that what she just said, angered them. She couldn’t understand why though, she spoke the truth hadn’t she?
[[Rescue - Good End?]]After both Clara and the children reached the legitimate exit point, Clara phoned Derrick and he immediately got to work reaching their location above ground. In the time that it took Clara to find the kids, Derrick had fixed whatever was wrong with the pulley machine and got it operating again. Each child was loaded on safely, and Clara eventually made it out of the cave with them.
A month later, Clara had generated enough buzz about the horrible conditions of the mine, that she was able to get the aid of a local Indonesian child protection agency. With the help of the pictures she took, and after a lengthy investigation, the agency shut down the mine. This angered many Indonesian families who relied on the mine for income, however, Clara knew that she ultimately did the right thing… right?
After both Clara and the children reached the legitimate exit point, Clara phoned Derrick and he immediately got to work reaching their location above ground. In the time that it took Clara to find the kids, Derrick had fixed whatever was wrong with the pulley machine and got it operating again. Each child was loaded on safely, and Clara eventually made it out of the cave with them.
Since Clara hadn't bothered to examine the work area, she knew she couldn't provide evidence if she planned to get the mining company that the children worked for in hot water. However, deep down... Clara didn't want to stop it. She knew that the whole situation was horrible. She knew that children shouldn't be forced to work like that. She also knew it would be a matter of time before the next children were stuck. She knew this... but she also knew the names of each of those four boys and the sacrifice they were willing to make to provide for their families. She was therefore willing to turn a blind eye...Unbeknownst to Clara, the work area was filled with noxious gas. This was one of many reasons the children decided to vacate that area in favor of the underground lake. As she busied herself with her task at hand, she slowly became groggy, and eventually lost consciousness altogether. To this day, neither she, nor the children left the underground cave.After both Clara and the children reached the legitimate exit point, Clara phoned Derrick and he immediately got to work reaching their location above ground. In the time that it took Clara to find the kids, Derrick had fixed whatever was wrong with the pulley machine and got it operating again. Each child was loaded on safely, and Clara eventually made it out of the cave with them.
Clara decided that it wasn't up to her to decided whether or not the children should have a different kind of life. They found happiness in their own way. She therefore decided to take the pictures she took and create a small journal entry for herself. Occasionally, she would look back on those pictures and remember what transpired that day.