Experiment X

13 | The Fire From Within

13 | The Fire From Within 

    Emberly had given up on any possible expectations for each of the progressing levels, and has no idea what to expect with the final stage. Each of the previous levels, had been anything from what she could have ever imagined. So when she steps into the area with Kel, she’s taken aback. She’s at a loss for words.

    They are standing within the center of a gleaming gray elliptical arena, the curved walls constructed of slated, sharp metal. The silver circular ceiling looms above them at a dizzying, staggering height. Emberly couldn’t focus on that, or else she would become unstable, so her eyes dart to the bright red digital clock mantled upon the wall before them. They have not even fourty minutes. Time is running out. And fast.

    Unintentionally, their backs bump into each other, as they continue to gaze around and take in the last level. A silence falls upon them, and Emberly can hear Kel’s heavy breathing behind her. It feels as if her heart is liable to explode, throbbing in her throat. The perspiration coats her head, sweltering, and sticky, and trickling down her skin. She gulps. And draws her ragged breath. She feels so damn exhausted. Would she even make it through this?

    “Isn’t something going to—” Kel began but doesn’t get to finish, because just at that moment the entire arena trembles with internal, sinister movement. In only a moment’s time the metallic plate across from them slides open and Emberly lets a sudden scream escape her as something vile and violently fast discharges itself from the wall, coursing straight for them.

    Emberly blinks, and sees that it is a strange, sharp whip the same gray color as the walls and it has grabbed Kel around his waist. “NO!” she shouts, and Kel throws an arm toward her—pushing her away? Emberly stumbles backward, and Kel cries, “Stand back!” His face winces in absolute pain, and he clenches his fists shut, closing his eyes. Just as it was on him, the whip-like metal tendril was yanking toward the way with a monstrous fury.

    She wants to shout out his name—it’s a sudden, and strange instinct, but an instinct nonetheless. But then she remembers—they don’t have any names. No. They just can’t remember them, yet.

    Kel cries aloud, and releases a rippling force field from his body that shatters through the coiling metal, and frees him. Lying on the ground, gasping for air, Emberly rushes over to him, settling by his side.

    “Are you okay?”

    He nods painfully, and heaving, stares into her eyes, fearful. “Here,” Emberly continues. “Let me help you up.” He grasps hold of her hand, and lifts himself to his feet.

    “Thanks,” he says quietly, and Emberly nods assertively.

    They are a quick moment of breathing, and relaxing, and Kel scratches his head wonderingly. “What the hell was that?”

    Emberly shakes her head, astonished. “I have no idea—I just hope that whatever it was just doesn’t come—”

    She watches horrified as Kel’s eyes shoot wide open, and he outcries, “WHOA! Watch out—Behind you!”

    Emberly doesn’t even have the time to question, as she whips her head back the metallic thing is clings itself about her waist, and she feels the sudden overwhelming, burning squeeze, and she is jerked like a ragdoll groundward. Emberly hits the tinny flooring with a thud and then she flying, skidding along the metal, tears welling in her eyes from the excruciating pain of the tendril tugging at her wilding, coiling about her body. She screams, and slams her hangs against the ground, cringing, and attempts to dig her fingers into ground, but it is no use as there is nothing to hold on to; Kel tries to run for her, but the sinuous tendril is too swift.