Descent

Chapter 4: Stranger

    Bolting off into the darkness, I have no idea where I'm going except that I'm trying to run as fast as possible away or find somewhere to hide.

Tripping over and running into what I can only assume are rock formations left and right my heart pounds in my ears.

I hear the roar behind me and the rapid thud and click of the creatures nails as it searches for it's prey. Whatever it is, it's furious.

I'm gonna die down here, I think to myself as I pump my arms as fast as I can, trying to keep my feet going. The air rapidly filling my lungs start to sear in pain, I can't do this forever... Ache and exhaustion is starting to set in, the adrenaline beginning to wear thin.

Terrified, tears streaming down my face, I trip over another rock and cry out.

It roars once more, as if my cries acted as a beacon for it to find me, like a bird dog pointing the way.

I get up and bolt once more, with a second wind behind me.

It has to be massive down here or I'm just running in circles, but I can feel it getting closer and closer, nearly at my heels.

I smack into something hard, a wall perhaps. I turn to go the other way and hit another. Yep, this is how I die.

I drop to the ground into fetal position against the corner and prepare myself for my inevitable demise, shaking in fear. The sounds grow louder and louder as the creature looms closer. I put my hands over my ears and try to be as small as possible. My worst nightmare of course is how I go, I think to myself. A monster in the dark. Of course.

I can hear the creature chittering, edging closer and closer, sniffing me out. I start to cry harder, shrinking into myself, as if that would help me disappear.

It shrieks out a horrible scream, one that rattles your bones. A hunter signaling it's prey, it located me at last.

Just as I feel the hot breath on my neck once more, it starts to let out another screech, but it stops abruptly, before the peak.

I hear squelching and feel hot liquid running down my back. Then silence. I freeze, no longer shaking.

What just happened.

"Well that made a rightful mess." A strangers velvet voice casually travels through my ears.

"W-what...W-where...W-who..." I sputter out.

Quivering once more I start to stand, still clinging to the rough walls as if they'll hide me from this new stranger.

"You're welcome, no need for thanks sweetheart." Again, that cocky voice rings in my ears.

Is he even real or am I imagining things?? Is he another monster??

A flashlight clicks on into my face, I cover my eyes immediately from the instant sting. Once it moves from my face I blink until I can see once more, hands still over my face.

"Who are you??" I say before lowering my hands and peering out in confusion.

"Wouldn't you like to know, I am your savior after all."

I direct my eyes to him and narrow them.

To my surprise he has the flashlight under his chin, like a child telling a ghost story at a sleepover, with the biggest grin on his face.

Dude. Read the room.

The rays from the flashlight accentuate his features, letting me know he is definitely a man. A man with grey eyes, a sharp jawline, and reddish brown stubble. His lips are fuller than most, and come together with a pronounced cupid's bow that lifts up slightly under his straight nose. Messy brown hair to match, and a Cheshire grin of well taken care of teeth.

Great. The only thing I can see in all of the darkness and it's an attractive head just floating above a flashlight. I'm hallucinating. I really am dead. This is the end. The thing poisoned me before it started eating so I would just imagine funny things while I die.

"Okayyyy, not as funny as I pictured in my head, I get it. Tried to lighten the mood and it was not the move. You okay? You should probably sit down for a moment."  He points the flashlight back down at the ground and I finally see the floor terrain I was running for my life on.

Smooth with pale dirt that looks almost like sand. Exactly what I pictured.

I sit on the ground still trying to grasp at my sanity, running through scenarios again.

I fell into a cave.

No that can't be right.

I fell through dimensions.

Even crazier.

The shadow people finally got me.

You are literally insane, Guinevere.

"Hey, snap out of it, I'm sure you're wondering where you are or what that is. Here to help. I kinda saved your life and all, I won't leave you here in the dark. Literally."

His voice snaps me back to reality and it all slams into me leaving me gasping for air, coming down from an anxiety attack and catching my breath.

"Who ARE you dude?!?" I gasp out.

"Yeah, yeah okay let's start with names. Yeah. I'm Cairo." He puts his hand out in the light to shake mine. His hands are rough and soft all at the same time. Weird.

"I'm Guinevere... where are we??"

"Oh yeah... long story. Do you by chance remember being 'taken' per say? Or you felt like you were followed for quite some time and nothing was there but shadows and felt like you were going crazy? You were brought here by the shadow people. More specifically known as the shadow druids. You're in a part of the underworld." He says nonchalantly, while pacing around like a bored child.

"I'm sorry, what?" Every time I ever thought I was mentally ill clicked into place in my head.

I wasn't crazy.

This is real.

"Oh and that thing, is one of the demons that lives here. I killed it, of course. That's what I do. I was pulled here, like you, and I chose survival. Every day since I've been searching for a way out or helping others. Not many make it like you though. So congrats!! And all that fun stuff. Welcome to team survival!"

"Umm, what??" I stare at him incredulously. He can't be so suave about this!!

"It's gonna take a moment to process all of this, I see. Well, come along Guinevere, we need to hurry or else we'll both become lunch for this one's mate. Like, now. It's on the other side of the cave."

I almost smart off a reply thinking he was joking, before he turns his flashlight off, covering my mouth quickly and walking us slowly away as I hear the sounds of another demon inching close by. My foot stumbles over a stray rock and we hear it stop and send out a deadly screech. He freezes, and my breath catches in my throat once more.

"That's our cue to run, follow me!"  He turns and sprints, pulling me along by my hand and I have no choice but to sprint after a stranger in the dark, to avoid death once more.