Yesterday, my eldest son asked me about Constantine , again. We had been trekking in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado , and we had seen a bear in a cave. My son asked me to tell him about the time I met Constantine . Funny how other people seem to remember my tales better than me at times…

A long long time ago, I had been an assistant English Teacher in Japan . Most people think that Japan is crowded with sub tropical weather, however I had gotten a teaching job in the island of Hokkaido which seems to be similar in landscape as Alaska . There are many mountains, occasionally a volcano, and the weather remains cool throughout the year.

One day, I had wandered down a stream near Furano in search of a good fishing hole. I enjoyed trout fishing, but on this particular day the fish were no where to be seen. Approximately two miles upstream from Mr Shimata’s paper mill, I saw a small cave. It was very small and narrow.

Being near the ground, I trudged over to the cave and peeked in. Laying on the floor of the cave, was a porcelain doll, a stuffed cat, and some beautiful green stones that glistened in the sunlight shining through the doorway. I had often wandered through caves, but this was certainly the first time I had ever seen toys in a cave. My curiosity was sparked, so I wandered into the cave and into a marvelous adventure that I will try to write down for you.

As soon as I had walked into the entrance of the cave, I noticed a strong, pungent small from the back of the room. I glanced behind a large column and saw what looked like a large python looking at me with very large, red eyes. I knew it would be complete nonsense to scream- I mean, who in their right mind would wander into a cave find toys AND a python near the entrance?

Quietly, I tried to walk backwards to the entrance of the cave, but I have never been able to walk quietly, and I tripped over the green stones. Suddenly, the python was between me and the exit, never taking his beady eyes off me for even a second.

I am an “animal person”. I don’t know why, but all animals seem to like me. However, this python did not like me. He seemed interested in the green stones, and did not appreciate that I had scattered the.

Now I was becoming worried. I was worried because I had wandered in a cave all alone, and a python was going to eat me for dinner!

About that time, someone or something seemed to slide down the column of stalactite, and she grabbed me by the hair (I have long red hair) and swung me behind the column and out of the direct face of the python. However I could not see the someone who had rescued me. I could but see the dark image of a person hiding in the shadows in front of me.

“ Nan desu ka?” I asked the image glancing over my shoulder to the snake that still hovered near the entrance of the cave.
“Your accent is horrible” croaked the image in the shadows. Thankfully, I noticed that she was speaking in English.
“Follow me”. She didn’t seem to carry on much dialogue.
And with that, she grabbed my hand and ran down a dark passage way through a windy tunnel on and on and on and on.

Chapter II
Although, I enjoy many outdoor activities, I cannot run very far. On this day, I found myself being dragged for countless hours by someone or something that I could not see. When she did finally put my weary body onto the ground, she continued to slink into the shadows never showing herself to me as though she were a mere imagination or a dream that we cannot really grasp.

The cave was lit with a small candle. The wick’s light bounced eary shadows onto the stalagmites and stalactites that lined the room. At the far end of the room, I saw a small pond. I didn’t notice at the time, but I would later notice that the pond contained small minnows without eyes. And I could hear a continual dripping sound like the sound of a leaking faucet.

I fell asleep. I don’t know how long I slept, but I do remember having vivid dreams about monsters and ghosts grabbing me.

When I awoke, I remember being cold and the room was completely dark. I laid still trying to decide whether I was still in a dream or if I was actually awake. The soft dripping sound of water calmed my rattled nerves, and I decided that perhaps I was indeed awake, but I wasn’t quite sure…

Time was of no relevance in the place in that place. After what seemed like days, I heard footsteps walking through that place.

“Who is it”? I asked.

No one answered.

“Hello?” I asked.

Silence again.

“Is this a dream or is it for real?” I asked suddenly feeling very foolish.

“What do you think it is?” croaked a very old sounding person or thing.

“I don’t know” said I.

“Can you walk?” asked It.

“I think so”, I replied, standing up and realizing that my legs had become very wobbly.
“We must get you home”, said It.
“Are we going near the python, again?” I asked.
“No.”
“Oh, is there another way out of the cave?” I asked.
“No”.
“Then we will go past the snake?” I asked again.
“No.”
“Has the snake gone away?”
“Yes”.
“Where has it gone?” I noticed my voice was becoming impatient.
“It is dead”.
“How did it die?” I asked curiously.
“I killed it.”
“Oh.”

Chapter III
As soon as I walked a few steps, I fell down because I could not see. The cave was completely dark. I tried to stand up but my foot was sprained. I started crying and