The Nexus

Chapter Seven

Arayna was running through the tunnels, the sound of claws scratching against stone echoed as the creatures chased after her, intent on devouring her. Her heart hammered in her ears as her legs pumped, carrying her forward as she glanced frantically over her shoulder, gasping for air to ease the ache in her lungs, her long hair falling into her face occasionally.

Darkness pressed in on her as she ran through it, desperate to get away, to live.

She had to live long enough to find her father, to find the truth about what happened. She had to know the truth. The truth was all that mattered to her. It was all she wanted. 

She made and abrupt turn and nearly slid to the ground when her foot slipped on the moist stone. She scrambled to regain her balance and took off once more, glancing over her shoulder. Her combat boots slapped against the stone, blood pounding in her veins, fueling her muscles. She took another turn and found herself stumbling to a stop, white light searing her eyes making her lift her hand to block it. The familiar screech of the creatures and the sound of sizzling flesh filled the air before they scampered back into the shadows like rats.

Arayna, however, couldn't look away despite the light searing her retinas like flames. It was far too beautiful to look away from. She couldn't even describe its beauty, but she had seen it before, had dreamed of it during cryostasis. It was calling to her, wanting her to come closer, the enormous amount of power tugging at her, wave of golden orange light reaching out for her.

Something moved within the mist the light created, and as she focused on it more intently, she began to make out an image, floating through the air, hazy. At first, she couldn't see what it was, then it grew clearer and as her eyes adjusted she could see it was a face of a woman. Long dark auburn hair was held back by crystallized clips, and oddly familiar honey brown eyes were crinkled up at the corners as she laughed at something. She seemed so familiar, like someone from a dream that Arayna had a long time ago.

Who was she?

                                                                     ***

Arayna jerked awake, heart jumping into her throat as she bolted upright taking in her surroundings in a split second. Memories of the past couple of days came rushing back. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but the exhaustion had snuck up on her without warning and came over her. She didn't even remember falling asleep. Usually she was far more vigilant than that, but there was something about this place. She couldn't put her finger on it. It almost felt like she was drugged.

Had she been? It was probably that tea that woman, Kayda, had brought in. It had probably been drugged. Of course. That was it! She had known better than to eat or drink anything from these people, or things, or whatever they were. Her father had always told them to never eat, or drink, anything that wasn't prepared by their own hand. Ugh, she had made such a rookie mistake. Her brothers would be so ashamed.

Tossing the covers aside, she scrambled to her feet, only to remember that it didn't matter. She was trapped within the walls of this place.

Blowing out a tense breath, she plopped back down to sit on the edge of the mattress, looking around the pristine white room. Why was it...comforting? She didn't like this place. She wanted out. It felt like something was messing with her guard, making it lower. Oh boy, she had to get out of this place before they brainwashed her or something. But how? How could she get out?

She could act like she was cooperating, maybe gain their trust. It could be the only way she got out of this place. It was going to take a whole new set of skills to do this, but Arayna could fake it. She had to get back to her brothers and find the truth about their father, but she would need to be patient with how she proceeded. That dragon/man guy was smart. If she wasn't careful, he would see right through her façade. But if anyone could act like the perfect, well behaved, cooperative prisoner, it was her.