Curse of Atlantis by Christopher David Petersen

the hotel and review the data. Once we study all the films, I’m sure we’ll find something,” Jack said, optimistically.
    Javier turned toward Jack, his eyes red and teary.
    “You’re right, Jack. This island is too small to lose a pyramid. It’s out there somewhere, buried under one of those mountains,” Javier said, pointing south toward Kalamos. “Let’s get back and review the data. It might just be staring us in the face and we simply don’t see it because we’ve been at this too long,” he added, now feeling encouraged.
    Jack gave Javier an approving nod, then signaled the pilot to head back home. Ten minutes later, they descended past the mountainous terrain that seemed to cradle the airport, touching down on the dust - covered runway. Moments later, as they taxied to general parking, Jack watched as Javier stared out the window and contemplated their next move, his sadness now replaced by determination.
    ~~~~~  ~~~~~  ~~~~~
    The home was small, but comfortable. With the help from Burt Samuelson, Javier and Jack had made prior arrangements to stay a local resident’s vacation home on Kythira while they were away. Nestled in the center of the tiny island, the dry desert-like landscape near the house took on the feel of parts of southern California that Jack had visited while in college years before.
    Seated outside around an old patio table and chairs, the balmy eighty - degree air felt good as the two studied the videos and pictures from the day. After nearly three hours of work, the exhaustion from lack of sleep and stress began to take its toll. The harder they worked, the less effective they became, until Jack had had enough.
    “Jack, look at this photo. Do you see anything unusual about this area ?” Javier asked while pointing.
    Jack looked at the image of a broken ridgeline. He compared it to other features in the surrounding area. Back and forth , his eyes scanned and soon, his mind became confused.
    “Javi, I hate to say this, but I think I need some sleep. All the data is starting to look the same to me,” Jack said, with obvious guilt in the tone of his voice. “I must have looked at that photo a hundred times and still don’t see anything out of place.”
    “It’s ok , Jack, I’m exhausted too. Maybe we better get some sleep and start fresh tomorrow. I’ll be in shortly. I just need to look at this video one more time,” Javier said, motioning for Jack to go inside.
    “Javi, you realize you look almost as bad as I do, right?” Jack said, humorously.
    “I understand your inference , Jack, but it’s hard for me to give up when I think of Serena in the hands of those thugs,” Javier responded.
    Sitting back down, Jack said with a smile, “Well, if you’re staying, so am I.”
    “Thanks Jack, I really appreciate the help,” he replied sincerely.
    Two hours later, both men yawned routinely as they struggled to stay away. Leaning back in his chair, Javier closed his eyes momentarily. In an instant, he began to snore.
    “Javi… Javi,” Jack said, loudly.
    “I’m awake,” Javier said, his eyes springing open as he snapped back to attention.
    “I think that’s the point… you shouldn’t be awake. We’ve been going at this for nearly eighteen hours and that’s after we’ve had only a few hours of sleep in three days. I think it’s time to sleep. What do you say?” Jack said, sounding determined.
    “I’d answer you, but I think it would only come out sounding like a snore,” Javier joked mildly , the first time since Serena’s kidnapping.
    Closing his laptop, Javier stood and stretched. Within minutes of stumbling into bed, he was snoring once more. Jack listened to the rattle that roared through the wall of his bedroom, momentarily distracting him from his own sleep. With his mind shutting down, the noise seemed to drift far away and suddenly, he too fell into a deep sleep.
    ~~~~~  ~~~~~  ~~~~~
    Jack eyes popped open. All was eerily quiet inside the small rustic