Running From Time

Chapter 21

I stood on level 4, still holding the map. Level 5 had been completely cut off as the ceiling had been boarded up. I frowned and looked around. Surely there was a way in? I spotted some elevators to my left and smiled. Maybe they could take me there.

After quickly checking that no one was watching me, I stepped into the elevator and admired the interior. The walls looked as if they were made from solid gold and they almost seemed to sparkle in the light. An ornate pattern graced the ceiling and I absentmindedly wondered how anyone would have the time and patience to design it. I looked at the buttons on the wall of the elevator and sighed in frustration. There was no button for level 5. In slight annoyance, I clicked the button for level 6 and the elevator doors closed with a squeak. Music started playing softly and I stood there, listening to that and the muffled clunking of the elevator.

The doors slowly opened and I stepped out, looking around me. I saw a staircase to my far left, leading downwards, and grinned. This one didn't seem to be blocked off. I started to walk towards it when I realised that I had the feeling of danger in the pit of my stomach again. Something was wrong. I looked around me carefully and caught a glimpse of something shiny in the shadows behind the staircase.

The barrel of a gun.

I closed my eyes and held my hands out slowly. The gun clicked off safety mode and I opened my now green eyes, just in time. A bullet whizzed towards me but was stopped by the power issuing from my hands. Another one came shooting towards me but again, it stopped in midair. I smirked slightly as I thought of Neo from the Matrix. The gun stopped firing and I heard footsteps running away. I would have to be quick.

Checking that no one was around, I darted towards the staircase and almost fell down it in my haste. I wouldn't have much time, considering the guards would probably be back soon. As I descended the staircase, I felt a powerful aura hit me. It was like when I was near Serpius, but a hundred times stronger. I squinted in the faint light and just managed to make out the shape of a person, standing about fifty feet away. The room was vast, as far as I could tell, but I couldn't make much out because it was so dark.

"Hello?" I called out. My hands were buzzing with energy, ready to defend me. The figure slowly started to walk towards me, each step completely silent. I felt a bead of sweat trickle down my face as he approached and I shuddered.

"Who - who dares to enter my home?" A croaky male voice issued from the figure. It came closer and I started to shake.

"Chris. Chris Brown. Please, I don't want any trouble. I was just exploring." The figure laughed darkly and I saw the glint of his teeth.

"Let me...touch you." He whispered and my arm involuntarily jerked upward. His hand reached out and touched my arm gently, and I noticed that the hand had a scale-like texture.

"Ah!" He gasped in surprise. I frowned in confusion and fear. "You're like me. Except I am a pure Siomean."

"Okay..." I said slowly, backing away slightly and trying to plan an escape route.

"Have you heard from my son? Sam?" He asked hopefully, and I noticed that he sounded a little vulnerable.

"Sam? Uh, he's doing fine, I think. I haven't spoken to him much." This was Sam's father?

"Well, tell him I'm sorry, okay?" He said softly and I frowned again. This conversation was getting weirder and weirder.

"Sorry for what?" I asked, trying not to pry, but failing. The man hissed suddenly, a reptilian sound, and I jumped back.

"I got in his way. Tried to stop him from doing things that he would regret."

"Well, I'll pass on the message -" I said quickly, trying to send him the message that I wanted to leave.