Crystal of the Dead

Chapter 17: Questions and Regrets

Author: C.T.J.

Cris did not know how long it has been but it felt like they have been wandering around the empty streets of this dark underground city for hours. There was no way of telling how much time has passed because there was no source of natural light, just this ominous glow that person could not tell where it was coming from. Cath was dragging her feet on the ground, she rubbed her eyes, "Where are we even going?"

"We need to find where the Master is hiding so that we can figure out what he's up to," he looked around with frustration, "Come on, there has to be some sort of clue or a path leading out of this maze!" It was really hard to orient oneself without using a map. Yes, they had Mr. Head, but after the very strange interaction at the 'square,' they took the crystal out so that the Master would not be able to track them down again.

"Cris, I'm tired."

"I know, I know. Me too. Come on," he took her hand, "Let's find some place where we can sleep safely."

It wasn't that hard to find an empty corner in one of the buildings, in fact, it seemed like this whole city was just completely empty. None of the rooms that Cris and Cath investigated had any furniture or any sign of anyone ever living there. It was just stone. They built a small nest out of their blankets and tents in the corner of this very, very empty room. Cris was even able to start a small fire out of some spare wood they packed with them. They both just sat there in silence, trying to keep themselves warm by sitting close to the fire. 

Isn't it strange how all of this started with a simple incident? Cris thought to himself. In a course of two days, he was able to find himself further away from home than he ever thought he'd go. With a simple push of curiosity, he was now discovering something that nobody has discovered before him... or at least not within a recent time before him. Was this place designed for people to hide when the world was dying? Do neurodroids have anything to do with it? Or are they just using this place as their hideout? It seemed like the more Cris was able to see the more questions he got than answers. Was he actually somehow connected to this mess through heritage or was the Master just messing with him? There's just so much that he wants to know that he doesn't know where to even sta-

"Will we be stuck here forever?" Cath suddenly asked while sadly looking into the fire.

Cris snapped out of his thoughts, "Of course not. We'll find a way out and get to the bottom of this mystery."

"I don't wanna solve this mystery anymore. I want to go home." Cris could now see the tears in Cath's eyes reflecting in the light of the fire.

"Hey, hey, don't cry," he put his arm around her, "We're here to solve why those things were coming after you, don't you remember?"

"I wish I never took that notebook! If I didn't take it, then we wouldn't be stuck here! It's all my fault," she burst into tears.

"Look at me," he held her face, "It's not your fault. Do not blame yourself for something that you could not predict. You're a strong girl, if you can fight big dudes and one-legged neurodroids I know you can fight your fears too."

She giggled while wiping her tears, "I don't think that's how that works."

"Oh, come on. I know you can put up a fight! And besides, I'm here with you. I'll be by your side the whole time and I'll make sure to get you home safe," he hugged her tight.

"You promise?"

"Cross my heart and hope to die."

"Thank you..."

They stayed there for a while, hugging each other. "Ok, you go get some sleep," said Cris, "I'm going to stay up a bit longer and try to figure out if there's any way we can reprogram Mr. Head over here so that he would give us directions, but not give out our location to the Master. Ok?"

"Ok. Good night."

"Good night."