The Path Less Traveled

Chapter V

I woke up with a sudden chill. It was freezing in here! I only had the clothes that I was wearing. And Simon, that was my birds name, did not provide much warmth. I sat up and tried tooo open my eyes, but the bright light was extremely painful after several hours of my eyes being closed.

My legs ached as I stood up. Slowely I was able to open my eyes and see again, kind of. The light was still so bright that I couldn't see much. I picked Simon up and proceeded to carry him around. Today was the second day I had been stuck here, and I still hadn't found any food, or water. I was not going to eat Simon, he must have found food because he is still alive and not skinny. I had wandered so far and there was still no sign of a wall, or barrier, or anything that woud signal an end.

Suddenly I heard a loud crack, followed by a series of violent shakes.

Then there was darkness. Complete darkness. The bright light had just died.

"Simon." I call. "Come here."

Simon doesn't come. I walk over to where I thought my bag was, but they are gone.

I hear footsteps. I turn around. Then again, but on the other side of me. I turn around again.

"Who's there?" I ask in a quivering voice. "Who are you?"

I hear the sound of someone landing. Then a voice .

"What?" I yell. I'm sure I have heard the person wrong.

"Prepare yourself." The figure says mysteriously.

"For what?" I ask, trembling.

Suddenly the figure leaps. I can't see where it has landed. I am still looking when I feel awarm breath down my neck.

I muffle my screams and turn around. Standing in front of me is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.

"Hello," she says "My name is Cassidy. I am here to recruite you."

"Recruit me? To what, a secret organization?" I ask jokingly.

"You could say that." Cassidy says mysteriously. "Come on. Follow me."

I follow behind Cassidy. She walks very quickly and I have to speed walk just to keep up.

"Could you slow down?" I ask while panting, trying to catch my breath.

"Why?" She asks. "We need to get there before the flash."

"What's that?" I question her. worry lacing my words.

"It's when the world lights up again." Cassidy says shortly. Obviously annoyed at my lack of knowledge.

"Oh." I say, still having many questions. "Why do we have to get back before the flash?" I finish with my questions.

"Because that's when the Others wake up."

I walk a little closer to Cassidy from then on. We continue to walk for a long time before arriving at a slope. This was the first time that the ground had changed.

The slope continued to become steeper, and steeper, until I had to turn backwards and climbed down. I climb several feet before my feet had nowhere to step. I had to jump, but what if this was a trap? What if I would never get beck to the future?

Cassidy notices my hesitation. "Are you coming or not?" She asks.

"Yea." I reply hesitantly.

I reach my hands down the rough stone. 'This is it.' I think to myself, and then I jump.

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My feet hit the earth with a soft thud  sending a sharp pain to shoot through my body, causing me to wince in pain. It takes me several seconds before standing. When I do stand, my head is intruded by pain and my vision goes blurry.

"Hurry up!" Cassidy yells at me, obviously used to the descent. "If we don't get back soon we'll get caught in the flash."

From what Cassidy talks about the flash, I know I don't want to be caught in it. I stumble after Cassidy, cursing her hurried pace.  We didn't walk long before stumbling across a lump. The lump was as tall as my knee, and was made of smooth stone. I drag my hand over its smooth surface.

"Don't touch that!" Cassidy growls quickly.
 I tear my hand away and keep it pinned to my side. I watch as Cassidy slowly lays her palm gently on top of the mound. She whispers several words and the mound starts to move. Once the mound stops, it reveals a door, through the door I see a massive city.
"Lets go," Cassidy says "We don't bite."