Athan: [strained voice] Hey there! Welcome to The Grotto! [normal voice] Okay, I’m gonna keep trying to do voices. We- we’ll find the right one eventually. Thank you for listening to The Grotto. First off I’d like to thank everybody for hanging with us through the hiatus, that was the break in the mid season, for Season 1. We’ve had a lot of time to grow and reflect on our actions and—oh, wait hold on, no sorry, that’s the- that’s for court—We’re very excited to get back into the swing of regular releases, and I’m very excited for this episode, so thank you for being here for the ride. If you like what you are listening to, please consider visiting the website thegrottopod.com, or consider visiting and supporting the Patreon, patreon.com/thegrottopod where you get early access to stuff as I dump it on there. If you really like what you’re listening to, join the discussion! We’re on Discord a lot, talking about the show, other shows, theories, speculation, and, also honestly people are starting to be mean to Matt and I need backup. Go to thegrottopod.com/discord to connect. I would like to thank all of our current Patrons, as well as apologize in advance for any names I mispronounce. [x]. Another really quick plug, if you’re enjoying the show, please consider going to the Bandcamp and listening to the new album thegrottopod.com/bandcamp. This should also be on every streaming platform, Spotify, Apple Music, and the other ones. So… go find it there. Also please check out the links in the description for individuals who helped with this episode, as well as the specific plugs at the end of the episode. Thanks for listening, enjoy the show.
Athan: The Grotto is a linearly progressing podcast where each episode leads into the next one. If you’re starting here, I’d highly recommend not doing that. And going back to Episode 1.
Athan: Warning: This episode contains themes of Death, Injury, aftermath of Violence, Medical Speak, Hospitals, as well as some specific quick cuts and loud noises, timestamps in the description. Enjoy.
[Cut – Flashback]
[Knife scraping.]
[Chopping.]
David: Ah, fuck!
Nicole [from another room]: You okay in there?
David: No, now there’s blood all over the carrots.
Nicole: What? [She enters the kitchen.] What happened?
David: I’m fine, I just got a little… ambitious with my chopping. I’m gonna go run to the store, we need more carrots, we can’t be eating these ones!
Nicole: Dinner can wait! Let’s worry about your finger first. C’mon, show me.
David: It’s fine, I’ll get a bandaid.
Nicole: Let me see it!
David: [Sighs.] Fine, here.
Nicole: Ewww!
David: [laughing] Really, mom? That’s your medical opinion?
Nicole: My medical opinion is that you shouldn’t need stitches, but this needs to be sterilized before you patch it. Five minutes under the faucet should do it!
David: Okay, fiiine.
Nicole: Oh, don’t “fine” me!
[Faucet running.]
[Nicole coughs.]
Nicole: So… I’m taking a few days off next week and was thinking about finally checking out that cave I’ve been talking about. Do you… wanna go with me?
David: Eh… I think I’ll pass. Spelunking’s more your thing.
Nicole: Wait, wait—did you really just say spelunking? In my presence?
David: Okay, caving is more your thing.
Nicole: There you go! And you might give it another chance, it’s been years since we went together. You’ll be able to get around a lot easier than last time.
David: Eugh, I don’t know.
Nicole: Tell you what—this cave is easy in and easy out. If you come with me and you really aren’t enjoying yourself, we’ll leave. Promise.
David: Alright. We can give it another shot.
Nicole: Your lack of enthusiasm is noted. But I’ll take it.
[Cut – Present]
David: Okay, okay, Matty, we’re almost out, I’ll call an ambulance when we have a signal.
[Footsteps.]
David: Okay, I’m gonna set you down now.
[Matt groans weakly.]
David: Ah, shit, sorry! Sorry, Matty. Okay. Okay. Uh… fuck, um.
[He dials 911. Phone ringing.]
Operator: 911, what’s your emergency?
David: Hi—uh—yes, I need an ambulance, we’re outside Shade’s End? Do you know where that is?
Operator: Stay calm, sir. I’m sending help right away. Can you tell me exactly what happened?
David: Uh, my friend lost a lot of blood, he’s reopened an injury on his side. I-I think he was attacked? He has these really bad cuts on his arm, and one of his fingers is-is fully severed.
Operator: Alright, sir. An ambulance is heading your way. Is he conscious?
David: He’s fading in and out I-I did put a tourniquet on his arm. Is that- Is that right? Is there anything else I need to be doing?
Operator: You’re doing great, sir. Make sure he’s lying down, and elevate his legs if you can.
David: Okay, uh, I can do that. Please hurry, he looks really pale, and his side is still bleeding.
Operator: You should keep pressure on his side until they arrive. Can you tell me if there’s a clear path for the ambulance to get to you?
David: Yeah, we are outside the entrance, right next to the parking lot. Please tell them to hurry.
Operator: Help will be there shortly, just keep talking to your friend. Keep him awake, if you can.
[Theme – Hush]
[Flashback]
Nicole: I think we’re close. Yeah, just through there. Okay, be careful if you just put your foot right there—
David: I got it, mom!
Nicole: Alright! Just—alright.
[Nicole coughs.]
David: Are you alright? It sounds like you might have a cold.
Nicole: I’m fine, I’m fine. I… had the flu earlier, it’s just a lingering cough.
David: Don’t get me sick, I have school.
[Footsteps.]
Nicole: Here it is!
David: Woah. [Laugh.] Woah! What is that?
Nicole: Right? It’s a helictite formation. Instead of going up or down like stalagmites and stalactites, they go every which way. This spiral pattern is rare, though. It must have something to do with the wind currents in here.
David: That’s insane, I had no idea something like this was under the library!
Nicole: Woah!
David: What?
Nicole: Don’t touch it!
David: Wait, why?
Nicole: It’s fragile, and it probably took thousands of years to grow this big!
David: Oh. Sorry.
Nicole: Anyway, if you think this is cool, there’s a lot of different formations in the caves around town. And other things! This is why I do it. Some people enjoy caving for its own sake, but I do it to find things like this.
David: Okay, yeah, I’m down. This is… this is a lot more fun than I remember.
Nicole: Alright, let’s do it. Before we go, there’s one more thing I want to show you. Come and stand right here.
David: Okay.
Nicole: Now… listen.
David: … I don’t hear anything.
Nicole: Just wait.
[Cave Music – Better Places (Mom’s Theme)]
David: Woah.
Nicole: Right? Cave music! It’s like this chamber is a giant instrument.
David: That is so cool! Can we… stay a little bit longer?
Nicole: Yeah, David. We can stay as long as you want.
[Cut – Present]
David: Okay, the ambulance is here Matt, they’re gonna fix you up, just- just please hold on.
[Tires screech.]
David: Over here!
EMT 1: Sir, can you hear me? He’s not responding.
David: Oh, fuck.
EMT 1: We’ve got multiple lacerations on the left arm, one deep, missing ring finger on the left hand.
David (overlapping): Shit, shit, shit, shit…
EMT: There’s an older puncture wound on the abdomen. Stitches are completely torn. There’s some pretty major swelling.
EMT 2: Got it. Let’s stabilize and move him. I’m going to remove his jacket.
[They cut off Matt’s jacket.]
EMT 3 – Buck: Sir, uh, yeah you, could you come over here and talk to me?
David: Yeah, uh, absolutely.
Buck: Sir uh, what’d you say your name was?
David: Uh, David. My name’s David.
Buck: Alright David, ‘cause of the nature of my job and all that, I ain’t allowed to tell ya it’s gonna be okay, but uh, could ya tell me, in your own words, what happened here?
David: I don’t know! I-I mean the side that I know… He was in a caving accident like, three days ago? But I don’t know about the rest. It-it looks like he was attacked, right? I mean those cuts are ridiculous.
Buck: Alright, David, look at me, I don’t want you to focus on that right now. My name is Buck, alright? And we’re here to take care of your friend. The rest of all that will get sorted out.
David: Do you think he’s gonna be okay?
EMTs (in unison): One, Two, Three—
Buck (overlapping): we’ll do everything we can, sir. You said you found him like this?
David: Yeah, I was calling him all day, he wasn’t responding, [EMTS (in background): Okay, Ready] but he was sharing his location with a friend of ours, so I was able to come find him.
EMT: Let’s make this quick. He needs a hospital.
Buck: 10-4 let’s motor. You’re coming along with us, ain’t ya, David?
David: Oh! Uh, yeah, if it’s okay, yes. Yes, absolutely.
Buck: Yep, just give us some room to get our jobs done.
David: Oh yeah no I will, thank you. I don’t wanna get in the way or anything, I just, I wanna make sure Matty’s okay.
Buck: Hop in pilgrim, let’s get movin’.
[Cut – Flashback]
David: Yo, check it out!
Nicole: What? What is it?
David: Some of this graffiti’s rad as hell, look at this dragon!
Nicole: Ugh, I wish people wouldn’t do this.
David: I dunno, I think it’s pretty cool.
Nicole: Sure, it’s “cool”, but this kind of thing should be left to urban areas! There’s plenty of natural beauty here. Or there was. The Earth’s artistry can stand by itself. These people roll in and… completely miss the point!
David: The point of… a cave?
Nicole: The point is, people obsess over “leaving their mark” everywhere, but we need reminders that the world will outlast us. Nature can teach us the humility that comes with understanding our place in the larger scheme of things. How small we really are. How fleeting our lives are in comparison.
David: Uh huh. You’re on those mindfulness books again, aren’t ya?
Nicole: Haha… yes. Since I’m already making it weird, I’m gonna keep it going.
David: Oh boy.
Nicole: Please, David, just… hear me out on this one. [Deep breath.] I know that everything with me and your dad was messy, and I know it affected you. I also know that things with you and me were different afterward. And me being so wrapped up in work definitely didn’t help. I want you to be honest with me: did I… really screw you up?
David: Jeez mom, do I seem that screwed up to you?
Nicole: Come on, you know I don’t mean it that way. It’s okay if the answer is yes, I just want to know.
David: I mean, yeah, it was hard. I felt alone for a long time and I think it would’ve been a lot easier if I had someone to talk to about it all.
Nicole: Yeah.
David: But I don’t hold it against you. Sure I’m emotionally banged up, and some support back then would’ve helped, but I’m finding ways to work through it. I don’t keep that stuff bottled up anymore. And you’ve been a good role model in other ways! You were able to support both of us on your own for a long time. That… That says a lot. You’ve always been- you’ve always been capable. And I think that rubbed off on me. After seeing you take care of us, I feel like I can handle just about anything. Including budgeting for therapy. Y’know, for all the emotional turmoil.
Nicole: You always have a joke ready. Well, thank you for telling me. I hope you didn’t pull your punches.
David: No, no, we’re good. I know you’re doing your best, and your best has been a lot better lately.
Nicole: Okay. I really am trying to do better. It’s just… there’s stuff going on. Nothing too serious, but I just want to make sure we’re okay, y’know?
Nicole: You’re going to therapy, no lie?
David: Yup.
Nicole: Good for you. Me too.
David: The uh, the stuff going on, is it anything like, with me? Is everything alright? Can I do anything to help?
Nicole: No, no, everything is fine. Trust me, if there was more, I’d tell you.
David: Okay. I trust you.
[Song – Chasing Cars]
[Present]
Doctor: David?
David: Oh! Uh, yeah, that’s me, I’m here, is Matty okay? How are his stitches looking? He’s got medicine he’s supposed to be putting on them, I can go back to the apartment and grab it if it’s needed.
Doctor: Hey, hey, hey, one thing at a time, okay? He’ll be fine, he’ll need bed rest for a while and he’s still not awake, but we were able to stop the bleeding. Trust me, you don’t need to go grab anything, if… we’re a hospital. Any medication he needs, we have.
David: Oh, thank God. Thank you. Can I go back and see him?
Doctor: Give us about another hour, just to get everything cleaned up, and then we’ll have him situated in a room, and you can go see him. Is there any family we should call?
David: Uh, no. It’s just me. I’ll just- I’ll hang out here and wait. Thank you, thank you so much, for-for making sure he’s okay.
Doctor: I’ll have them let you know as soon as he’s ready. You mentioned medication for his stitches, does- does he take anything else? Antidepressants?
David: Uh no other medications that I know of. Why, is everything okay?
Doctor: Hmn. Okay, no, everything’s alright, it’s just weird. It just looks strange for a caving accident. And uh, there aren’t any defensive wounds or anything. Uh, I’m sure the police will be around to ask questions later and uh, verify. If he isn’t in therapy, I’d make sure he’s going. Even if it was an accident, there’s no harm in talking to someone.
David: Okay, um, thanks for letting me know. I’ll-I’ll-I’ll talk to him.
[Cut – Flashback]
David: [Sigh.] I really wish you would’ve told me, mom. It’s really weird to think back on all the memories and… and how you didn’t tell me it would all be coming to an end so soon. I mean, I-I get it, I think you know why you kept it a secret. It wouldn’t have been the same. You wanted to spend time together without it hanging over my head and to try and to try and make things better without any kind of obligation. I wish it had been different, obviously, but… but I get it. I’m always gonna treasure our conversations in these caves, you know. They meant a lot to me. I’ve been wanting to tell you, uh… I met someone. Someone really special. I don’t know if it’s going to go anywhere, but I was able to get him into caving. I’m really excited. It’ll be nice to share this with someone again. I better get going. I’m uh, I’m showing him The Grotto tomorrow. I love you, mom. To the moon and back.
[Song – Better Places (Mom’s Theme) – Celebration of Life Segment]
[Cut – Present]
David (reading): More than 15,000 allied troops land on the beaches of Normandy, France, as part of the largest seaborne invasion in history.
[Matt groans.]
Matt: You… You know I hate World War II books, right? My dad just keeps buying them for me.
David: Oh, thank God. I mean, thank God you’re awake, but also thank God because this is the most boring book I have ever read in my—you know what, it doesn’t matter—Matty, are you okay, how are you feeling, I can grab the doctor if you need anything—
Matt (overlapping): David, David, I’m okay. I mean, if you ignore that everything hurts, my head and my hand—what happened, how… how did I get here?
David: I found you in that cave, Matt. I thought you weren’t going back there.
Matt: I-I know, I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, I just, [Sigh.] I had to go back.
David: What happened down there? Was there an accident, or did someone do this to you, or, did-did you d-
Matt: Yeah. There was this guy. I-I saw him the other day, I-I got a bad vibe from him, I-I don’t fully remember what happened, but he attacked me.
David: The doctor told me there were no defensive wounds. Did- Did you get jumped?
Matt: I must’ve. I mean, do you- do you think I did this to myself?
[Matt sighs.]
Matt: I’m really tired. Can we go over it more later? I really want to be here with you right now. If that’s okay.
David: Matt, I… I thought you were dead when I found you.
Matt: No, no, everything is fine. Trust me, if there was more I’d tell you.
David: Okay. [Pause.] I’ll trust you.
[Song – Milestones]
Athan: There were a lot of people involved in this episode, more than normal and I wanna make sure everybody gets the shout-out that they deserve. First up we have Taylor Michaels as David as always, fantastic, links and @s in the description. Next we have Pine Gonzalez from Tales from The Fringes of Reality as Nicole, David’s Mom. Links also in the description. Dylan Griggs from WOE.BEGONE [clapping] as Buck, the EMT. Link in the description for WOE.BEGONE. Tatiana Gefter from Soul Operator as our 911 operator, so operator’s operator, makes sense- they’re uh, socials are in the description as well as their links. Next we have Rat Grimes from the Department of Variance as our doctor, links for that in the description as well as their tag for Somewhere Ohio. And then last but not least, the wonderful Cake and Morgan as our EMT’s in the background during the uh- EMT section. They’re both live on twitch all the time, they’re both fantastic people, super fun streamers, and you should definitely, definitely check them out. Uh also I’m Matt, by the way. Not included in this episode but always worth a shout out and respect is Lyssa Jay as Emily, Derek as Ambrose, and Natalie as Lillian. If you could take a moment and go to the description and just check out everybody’s work and yeah that’s pretty much it, thank you all for listening and I would like to apologize in advance for the next few episodes, as we wrap up towards the season finale. Thanks for listening.
OUTTAKES:
– Pine: My coughing was good enough that my mother ran into the room asking if I was okay. Because I forgot to warn her that I was going to be coughing. You’ve done this. You’ve worried my mom.
– Dylan: David, have you or anyone you know been inside of Oldbrush Valley Energy and Resources as of late.
– Pine: Acknowledge that the cough is totally normal. I know it’s not a normal cough though Athan. It’s not fair.
– Taylor: So uh- you’re, you’re on those uh- mindfullness-a-bo.. aren’t ya. Mindfulness-A-Books-A-Gain aren’t ya! I don’t even know what accent that is. [Swedish chef? Impression] Smörgåsbord.. Mindfulness books.
– Dylan: My name is Buck. No, I cannot provide government identification.
– Pine: It’s a- Oh god I feel like Tay. Helicktite or Helictite? Dammit, Tay did a whole bit about this in the- ugh… hang on… Helictite. Helictite?
– Pine: If there was more I’d tell you. Except she wouldn’t Athan! Clearly she wouldn’t cause she’s gonna die!
– Dylan: Did you see any bears during this emergency?
– Pine: Cave song amplifies into the sound of a siren? Athan?! Sir? What? No. Bad. Don’t like that.
– Dylan: David are ya comin? Cause I am. [Laughs and drops the cowboy voice.] Jesus.
– Pine: How small our lives are in comparison- Athan! You Bitch!
– Dylan: Okay, Okay. 10-4, 10-4, As my good buddy Donkey Kong used to tell me, ‘Okay!’ [Donkey Kong Impression.] Okay!
– Tay: Okay. [Clears throat twice.] Oh my god, my throat. [Groans in misery.] Covid, Fuck you.
[Episode End.]