Labyrinth: Into the Malignant Book 2

Sensing Danger

Picture of the ground dancer above!

We pushed ourselves to the limit to get away from the guards in pursuit. We had been escaping through the shadows for what felt like forever. My lungs were on fire and if we didn't stop soon, I was going to collapse.

The arm around my back suddenly pulled me down and I was tumbling over and over into a dark cave. A hard rock stopped my fall. I looked behind me for my Intangible, but he was nowhere in sight. All I could see was dust floating in the air. My coughing was the only sound that could be heard, but was quickly silenced by a hand. Despite the block, I continued to cough into my Intangibles hand as the shouts of the guards rushed past the cave.

When the voices were gone, I regained my breathing and slumped into the rock behind me. "How are you?" I said weakly to my Intangible. He stood above me with a confused look. "Fine" He grumbled. "...and he's back" I whispered to myself. I stood and dusted off my dress. "We need to get away from the plants" I explained trying to plan out where to go next. "This cave will lead us underground to the west of the Malignant. I've heard of the creatures that live there. They can be unpredictable" He warned.

"What kind of creatures are we working with?" I asked. "I've heard they're blind and beautiful, but enticing. Coming from an Intangible, I think it's wise to keep our distance" He advised. "As bad as the bloody flower people?" I asked creating a name for them. "You mean the Hematic Terre?" He asked. "I'm sorry?" I replied. "The creatures we just encountered" He replied. I nodded.

"I don't know. They aren't good" He admitted. "I'm starting to see a pattern" I muttered. He scoffed. "Did you think this place would be a magical utopia?" I mocked. I glared at him. "I'm starting to prefer the Hematic Terre" I grumbled. "From what they were planning, I would prefer the king himself" He smirked. "Let's go" I stated sharply.

We spent the good majority of the day walking through nasty caves with minimal conversation. I couldn't help but feel weird. We clearly kissed and it did something to us, but neither of us was acknowledging it out loud. Of course I'm not getting feelings for him, because that idea would be unthinkable. I was just confused at how such an event didn't even bother him. Maybe he's had practice before me? I started laughing then. No he hasn't! He can only touch me. Wait; was there a problem with me?

I looked at my Intangible wearily and he ignored me. I looked down at the ground before losing my cool. My hand found his shoulder and I shoved him against the wall. He looked at me angrily and I glared at him. "Stop ignoring me" I hissed. "Why would you think that?" He asked. "Do you deny it?" I asked. "Look, I'm not here to fall at your feet. I'm going to mind my own business and you mind yours" He said shoving my arm away. Don't take that. I pushed him again and he whipped around.

I was about to start at him again when a noise brought my attention away. My Intangible seemed to hesitate also. "We're here" His body language gave away. I turned to the cave opening and stood still. I didn't think I could do this. I almost didn't make it out of the last encounter. How did anyone expect me to make it out of this one?

"Let's go" He muttered and snatched my wrist. He dragged me to the end of the tunnel and the sounds got louder and loud. Frightened and concerned, I stumbled behind my Tangible through the dark cave. It sounded like people were throwing boulders at the ground. There were continuous gusts of air swirling around the tunnels. I watched my Tangible's face turn to worry before masking itself.

My nerves almost made me faint when we turned the final corner to uncover an incredible sight. It was like we walked into an underground castle ruins. My eyes fist wondered to the movement on the ground. The rocky floor was covered in loose dirt. All around, there were people stomping and moving to an unknown beat. Dirt whirled around them as they pulled it up with the hands and slid across it with their unrecognizable feet. Dirt cakes their skin and made their hair look like it was made out of dirt.