though. Against my instincts, I man up and follow her into the narrow slot in and up a stone tunnel.
Immediately I regret my decision.
It quickly becomes apparent that I’m not getting through this. The rocks are slimy and cold. Water slowly drips on my face from above. Everything is pitch black.
Midway up, my momentum seizes. My thickness won’t allow me to move any further. I push the sides of the opening with my feet, desperately trying to get leverage only to come up short with every attempt.
Tiny stones and pebbles fall around me as I now more eagerly try to escape the tunnel’s hold.
The stone walls further constrict me.
It’s getting tighter.
I’m stuck and no sign of Jacee anywhere.
I’m not sure she can even hear me.
“Hey! I’m stuck – little help here!” I cry out trying my best to save face.
Panic begins to set in.
My heart rate increases.
I shift my body rapidly only to make my situation worse.
I’m freaking out.
I’m so close.
“Help me, Jacee! This isn’t funny. I’m really stuck!” I shout out again.
Still nothing.
Where is she?
What if she’s hurt?
I find a rock wedged inside of the tunnel above me and use it to force myself up to the opening as my skin scrapes against the pointed edges of the pass. Slowly, rock by rock, I manage to escape the cave’s deadly grip.
Dusting myself off I stand above the gap that I just crawled through still unable to comprehend how I managed to escape. I turn around to a wonder that renders words useless.
My body drops to the ground. How is this possible?
She’s taken us to the most beautiful place on earth.
Millions of bioluminescence mushrooms and globerries illuminate the walls and ceiling of this giant, cathedral cavern hidden in the heart of Elysium.
Countless waterfalls circle a rock dome as water burst through from a hundred openings in the wall around us. An untouched forest of giant glowing mushrooms resides majestically past the bluff in the center of this ambiance of perfection.
She sits on the cliffside flanked by two waterfalls, kicking her legs into the air, soaking it in.
I cautiously take a seat in the space next to her, taking extra care not to fall from the edge she dangles from.
Water rushes past us on both sides, off the cliff, and into the river circling the giant mushroom forest below.
I try to speak but, my tongue is lost in its infatuation of this paradise. My eyes refuse to blink for fear of missing even a magical second of this. Still looking into the wonderland, I feel her wrap her hand in mine. She tilts her head and rests it on my shoulder. I’ve made up my mind. I never want to leave this place.
“Rise and shine, Palin. You ready yet or what?” shouts Cyrus beating on my door. “Come on… You’re the one that volunteered for this.”
My eyes stick to my face, as I rub them with one hand and reach for Jacee with the other. She’s gone. Must’ve left after I fell asleep. Rushing out of my bed, still wearing yesterday’s clothes I step out of the rugged comfort of my stone room. My half-open eyes greet Cyrus and a few of the other guys impatiently waiting for me. These people get up way too early.
“About time.” scoffs Cyrus. “We need to get there while the sun is still shining if we’re going to have a chance at finding anything of value.”
My first supply run. I’m nervous, but more so eager to get out and away from this cave. I miss the warm breeze of the open desert kissing my skin. It’s been too long. You don’t really know what you have until you go without it for a bit.
“Okay, guys listen up. I need all three of you – eyes on me,” barks Cyrus, wiping the hair from his eyes. “Here’s the plan. 34’s trash dump is about a mile outside the city. Our mission is to get there and scavenge this week’s load. Simple right? We’ve been tasked with hunting anything that will cast a flame: fluid tanks, booze bottles, oily machinery, the usual. We also need a few backpacks full of clothing and material to be repurposed.”
Everyone seems to be experienced, nodding their heads in agreement. I guess that makes me the noob.
“Alright, any questions?” He looks directly at me.
A million questions all race through my mind at once, but my lips remain silent. I figure this is more of a learn-as-you-go kind of thing.
In a single file, we grab our gear and head for the gates catching smiles and warm pats on our back from the older people as we move through the hallways to our departure. Aside from Archer Lethe I’ve never seen anyone that looks much older than me, that is until Xander found us. I feel no less than a hero here. It’s nice. I must admit, this place is growing on me. I’m becoming a vibrant shroom on Elysium’s wall.
The gates were already open by the time we made it to the entrance. The smell of fresh air hits me like a drug, and damn does it feel good. Anticipation empowers me. We take our weapons from the racks, a short sword for me, and step out of the safety of our home. A surge of pride rises from within. For the first time in a long time, I feel a real sense of purpose in my life. The second I pass the guards bidding us farewell, I’m nearly knocked to my knees from the heat. The fiery sun burns my retinas, blinding me but I persevere.
My squinting eyes aim for my feet as I pull the bone-covered mask over my face. It would never stand a chance against Lethe blasters, but it shields the sun and might give you an edge against rogue traders or thieves, at least that’s what Xander said.
We push forward parting the blackened sand with each step. I follow the footsteps of the man in front of
