Waste Not, Want Not Chapter XXV

The two men peered in astonishment at the large and complex inscription.
“Who could have made this?” asked Conrad.
“I have no clue,” replied Paul as he examined the carvings, which had traces of paint on some of the images. “I know of no peoples who are known to have lived in this area that might have done this. Of course I am not expert but it does seem very unusual.”
“We may have made an important archaeological discovery,” said Conrad as he traced his finger over one image which seemed to show a warrior or god of some sort.
“If it is I don’t really want to let the world in on it just now,” said Paul.
“I see what you mean.”
Paul looked at his watch. “It is getting on, I think we should get back before it gets dark.”
They retraced there steps and finally made it back to the surface.
Conrad asked “Do we put the rock back?
“No, let’s leave it open and we’ll get back earlier tomorrow. Let’s go.”
They were soon back at the ranch house and tonight Conrad did the cooking. He was a good cook and they enjoyed a heart supper and a glass of bourbon afterwards.
They passed the evening quietly, Conrad watching TV, Paul working on paperwork.
Paul stretched and said he was turning in. He went to his room.
He slept fitfully, dreaming fast, furtive dreams which streamed through his sleep, leaving him feeling tired and apprehensive.
Visions of the strange creature El Indio had called Palinche Kha, the hideous, feathered demon warrior, were flitting through these nightmares. He woke just past dawn feeling as though he had not slept a wink.
At their breakfast Conrad said “Man, I had some strange dreams last night!”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, they were bordering on nightmarish, strange dreams filled with fantastic creatures.”
Conrad’s dreams were no surprise to Paul, they were nearly like his own. Paul then related his own nocturnal visions.
“How could that be?” Conrad wondered out loud.
“I don’t know, there are a lot of things about this place I don’t know!” said Paul.
They were soon back to the rock and it was covered again! Paul got out his Geiger counter and the radiation level was again very high.
“I think we will be wasting our time if we try to open it right now. Let’s go back.”
They had just fixed a pot of coffee and El Indio knocked.
“Come in” said Paul. “I want to talk to you.”
El Indio took a cup of coffee and joined the two at the table.
“Did you cover the hole?” asked Paul.
“Yes. Remember I had told you that you should not open the hole. It is dangerous,” said El Indio.
“I just don’t believe all that spirit mumbo jumbo and I have a job to do here and I intend to do it,” said a somewhat perturbed Paul. “How did you close it by yourself?”
“I have power.”
“Powers? What do you mean?”
“You wouldn’t believe me or understand.”
“El Indio, I am grateful to you for saving my life and I respect you but please don’t interfere with my wishes on my property.”
They sat reflectively for a while, sipping their cups.