In My True Element

Chapter 19

Faster, faster. There's no time to waste. The road back feels twice as long. I look at my watch; it's fifteen minutes past the time I had to be back, and I still have some distance to cover. Ilana is crazy enough to actually start looking for me.

In addition to everything else, either my imagination has decided to run wild or my backpack feels much colder than it was earlier. If it continues like this, I won't be able to carry it on my back. That would be a horrible inconvenience that could potentially slow me down.

Illuminating the narrow path in front of me, I pick up the pace and practically run to where I've left Ilana.

But before I get there I hear some swearing and puffing then screeching ahead of me.

Slowing down I walk forward, take the last turn left and of course see Ilana standing on one leg, supporting the weight of her body by holding on to the wall while blowing the hair out of her face.

"Are you crazy?" In a few strides I cover the distance between us and offer my hand for support.

"You were gone for too long." Her eyes accuse me while her teeth are biting her bottom lip, trying to suppress the pain.

"And obviously you couldn't wait just a little bit longer." Too annoyed by her behavior, I snap at her. This narrow tunnel is over a hundred feet long; it would be a pain getting back to a relatively open space where we could set up a camp. Carrying her would also not be an option... unless...

I take my backpack off. "Hop on my back."

"What?" She staggers back and almost falls down on her ass.

"Hop on my back and I'll piggyback you to where you were supposed to wait for me."

She points her dirty index finger at me, "Don't you talk to me like that."

"I wouldn't have to if you weren't acting like a spoilt little child."

"I'm not a child. I'm a soldier." There were days when she hated this word. Now she is proud to call herself one.

I let my hands drop to my sides. "Alright then. If you're such a tough soldier, walk, and I'll follow you."

A second of hesitation, then with her chin up in the air, she turns her back to me and starts hopping on one leg back down the tunnel.

"Did you find it?" she asks me puffing loudly.

"Yes." I don't volunteer more information, which naturally annoys her. Ilana stops and turns to me, fire dancing in her eyes.

"So, where was it? What's the clue?"

"I didn't think you cared." I look at my feet and try not to think about her possible concussion and all the complications this hopping might cause.

"I don't... I guess I'm just a little bit curious," says Ilana, resuming her hopping.

"There was a dimple in the wall where I had to place the talisman. Once I did it, it turned white and very cold."

"And what does the writing say now?" She is leaning heavily on the wall, taking another miserable step.

"Nothing. It's completely smooth, like a piece of ice, and there's nothing written on it."

"You could've left yourself clearer clues." She stops and wipes her hair that is matted on her forehead. Her eyes are closed and I can see how difficult this exercise is for her. Why did she have to be so stubborn and go looking for me?