When Amari woke up, he felt sweaty and clammy despite the air conditioner being on. He rubbed his sore eyes and looked over at the other bed, where Max seemed to be sleeping contently. Then he excitedly grabbed his phone and went on Socialform, eager to see what the rest of the world was doing. He didn't realize how isolated he had felt during the past week. Had it been a week? It was starting to become hard to keep track of time.
Amari went to his DMs to see if anyone had tried to get in touch with him. He was hoping to see a message from his mom, but no. Devon had texted him though. Amari never got to read the message though because the next second, a loud banging sounded at the door, startling Max awake.
Max and Amari both hopped out of their beds before quietly easing their way to the door. "Guys! Guys please! Open the door!" A panicked sounding Penelope said though the door. Max and Amari exchanged confused looks before opening the door.
"What the hell Penny? You scared us half – "
"We need to leave. Now."
Max simply nodded before turning and gathering their things. "Leave? Why? It's still daylight. C'mon we can – "
"No. Actually, we cant." Aoshanay said appearing at the door with her bag in hand. Amari gave them a confused look before putting on his shoes and grabbing his phone.
"Okay, what's going on?" Amari asked. They were sitting in the front lobby while Max checked them out.
"Nothing. We just...Have to leave." Penelope said, she tried to look relaxed, but her leg was bouncing. "You speak to animals. Why not just ask one of the flies?"
Amari rolled his eyes and looked out the glass door of the hotel. Buster was sitting right outside waiting for them. She now looked as big as a small dog. Amari looked at the sky behind her, the sun was beginning to set.
"Ready?" Max asked once he re-joined the group. Once they stepped out, they were met with an abundance of people all crowded in the street.
"What's all this? A parade?" Amari asked trying to look around at all the commotion,
"No, sweetheart. Lets go. Guide us outta here." Aoshanay said, dragging Amari away from the crowd.
Amari gave her a funny look. "Don't you guys wanna, go to the hair store?" He asked.
"Oh, my lord Amari. Cant you just guide us? Guide?" Penelope snapped.
"Bro, I'm getting really tired of your – "
"Amari, please." Max muttered, grabbing Amari's arm. Amari looked up at him before looking away and biting his tongue.
"Fine. Let's just – " Amari paused. The path was gone. Amari looked straight down at his feet, where the path usually started and was terrified to see that nothing was there. Not even the feint glow of a white stripe. Amari felt a ringing in his ears. No, you don't feel a ringing. He looked up at the group, who were all staring back at him, confused.
"Well?" Penelope said, gesturing for Amari to start walking. Aoshanay was biting her nail. Amari couldn't just saw that the path wasn't visible to him. He couldn't imagine how'd they'd react. Max wouldn't talk for the rest of the mission. Aoshanay would probably have a panic attack and Penelope, well, she'd probably say something bout Amari not being the proper guide. So, Amari stood up straight and put a smile on his face.
"Right this way." He said confidently. He figured he's just walk straight outta town. The path did originally show them going around the city. Maybe they should turn back. Start at the beginning. At the entrance. Amari shook his head. No. They'd just go straight through.
The thing was the city seemed like a maze. Amari led the team straight for about thirty minutes until they hit a dead end. A cul-de-sac. Amari laughed nervously before turning them around and leading them to a long row of stores that seemed to stretch for miles. They wound up in several neighborhoods and bar areas before ending up back in front of the hotel they had been staying at.
"What the hell man." Penelope said clearly annoyed. "What's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Amari asked, looking down the street with, regrettably, still no sign of the path.
"We've been going in circles!" Penelope shouted, but she didn't really sound mad at Amari, more at the situation.
"Well, I –" Your lost. Buster strutted up to the group and sat in front of Amari, she was now knee – height. Amari let out a sigh and rubbed his temples. He couldn't be lost. "I was just trying to find the hair store." He sighed, looking from Aoshanay and Penelope.
"Why?" Penelope asked annoyed.
"Because you guys seemed excited for it. Look, w-we promised so I was trying – " Amari stammered before Aoshanay stood up and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Amari it's fine. Don't worry about it. We got showers and a good day's rest on a real mattress. We're fine." Aoshanay said with a comforting smile.
"Alright. If ya'll are sure." Amari said before slowly turning around. "The path is showing us leaving the same way we came in so." Amari said as he looked out towards the now empty street.
The sky was now fading into a dark purple and there was still no sign of the path. Hesitantly, Amari led the group down the street. He felt his heartbeat begin to speed up as the sky became more and more dark. He was hoping that once they'd left the city then the path would return.
Eventually Amari led them past the sign, and they ended back where they were the day before. Amari took a deep breath once he realized the path still hadn't re – shown itself. He looked nervously at the others, then at Buster before deciding to just go where the path was directing him before. Around the city.
"We're wasting so much time." He heard Penelope mutter. Buster skipped happily ahead of the group. Without realizing it, Amari started following the cat. He followed Buster all the way around the city until they were on the exact opposite side of where they started, with a sign that read: Come back, anytime!
With a sigh, Amari collapsed onto a nearby bench. Leaning forward and putting his hands on his head. "What are you doing?" Penelope asked, standing above him with her hands on her hips.
"Didn't I already ask you not to stand over me like that?" Amari said through gritted teeth. Penelope scoffed then quickly moved over and sat grumpily beside him.
"W-we should keep moving." Aoshanay said adjusting her sunglasses.
"Alright, alright." Amari sighed, sitting up and stretching. Then, he opened his eyes and sighed a huge breath of relief. Right in front of him was the white glowing path. It went out from where his feet stood and shot left down the road.
Thanks for the trust. Buster purred as she rubbed against Amari's leg. "Of course, Buster...Do you have another name?" Amari asked as he pat Buster on the head. No. Not unless you'd like to rename me.
"I'll have to think on a good one." Amari said. He heard Penelope sigh passive aggressively and rolled his eyes before standing up. "Okay, let's go."
YOU ARE READING
King of Creatures
FantasyThere's a prophecy that comes around every century. It always plays out the same, a guide, three nights, a monster to be slain. That is, until this round for the prophecy, where The Guide isn't too fond of their fate and he's not afraid to change it...