The Topaz Necklace

Chapter 1

My mind swam in darkness, looking for something to hold onto. Where am I? What's going on? 

It was too dark to see anything. I racked my brain, looking for the events that had led to this position. I couldn't remember... Anything. I didn't even know who I was. What was my name?

"Can you hear me?", spoke a voice from my right.

I jumped, spinning to face them. I couldn't see any of their features.

"Do you know who I am?"

"No." I turned, looking for a better angle, but I still couldn't see their face.

"Do you know who you are?"

A small light flickered in the distance, and I could make out the shape of the figure who'd spoken. It was a girl, with dark eyes and a defined nose. Her face was splattered with freckles and dirt.

"No."

"Your name is Remy Amaya."

"Remy Amaya", I repeated. It didn't sound familiar.

"Yep. And I'm Awesome."

"Awesome?", I asked in confusion.

"Well, that- it was a joke. My name's Kan. You usually like my jokes."

"I do?" I tried to remember, but nothing came to me.

"Well, yeah. Of course you did. Every one likes my jokes."

"Oh..."

It was hard to tell, but I'm pretty sure she was grinning.

"Why can't I remember anything?"

"Well... That's a long story."

I waited.

"I'll explain it later. Right now... We need to get out of this cave."

"We're in a cave?" I looked around at my surroundings. Nothing but dark, dark blackness. The complete absence of light. "Which way's out?"

"Touch your necklace."

I felt around at my neck until I found what felt like a chain. "Why?"

"Watch. Touch it."

I followed the chain with my fingers, and upon contact, the pendant on my necklace began to glow. Or maybe glow wasn't the right word. It lit up like a candle, blinding blue-white energy.

"Is there a light bulb in it?" I asked.

"No, it's magic," Kan said simply.

"Really?" I furrowed my brow. That didn't seem right at all. Magic meant fairy tales, not real life.

"Yeah. You have a magic necklace. And I can fly."

I stared blankly, wondering if this was another joke. It must be. "You can fly?"

"I'm pretty good at." She grinned. In the new light, I could distinguish her features much better. Her hair was a dirty blonde, swept to the side and cut shorter than her shoulders. She didn't seem to be wearing any makeup, and her clothes were just as plain; an oversized pink t-shirt and dirty ripped jeans. I was pretty sure the rips were more accidental than a fashion statement.

I wasn't sure if she was joking about being able to fly or if she really could. I followed her to the exit of the cave, which she found strangely quickly. A wave of sunlight hit my face, and I instantly felt much better. 

"Where are we going now?"

"Well... Our mission is over, so we should probably head back to base."

"We had a mission?"

"The mission is to get this," she held out a bent silver tiara, "back to base. Without anyone finding out. Unfortunately, they already found out. That's why we have to go this way."

"Who are they?"

"Basically anyone but me, you, and the crew. Oh, and Priss."

"The crew?"

"Look, we really need to get going. Before they find out where we are. I'll have Jones explain everything to you later, okay?"

"Jones?" I had no idea what her words meant, and this seemed to be frustrating her.

"Just follow me."

I followed her without another word. I wanted to question her more, none of this made sense, but now clearly wasn't the time. She led me through a canopy of trees, all of which were marked with a swift red ❌. I didn't hear any birds, or animals, or anything really. Everything was quiet. When we reached the end of the trees, three men were waiting for us. One of them held a knife, and in his arms he had a red haired young girl, who's face was stained with tears.

"Put your arms in the air, or she dies."

Following Kan's lead, I did as he told me.

"Now drop your weapons."

Kan pulled a small crossbow from her backpack and carefully set it down. The man turned to me, waiting. I shuffled around my pockets to find a long skinny blade, completely transluscent aside from the glint of sunlight off of its edge. I dropped it on the ground. It didn't make a sound.

"Good. Now, don't move."

I stared at the girl, who made eye contact with me. She mouthed the words, "I'm sorry" and everything went black.

__________

When I opened my eyes again, I was in a dungeon. A real dungeon. The kind with rats and spiders where you're chained to a wall with rusty iron, and the floor and walls are all made of cement. And once again, there was barely any light.

"Where am I?", I spoke. No reply.  "Kan? Can someone let me out? I don't know what's going on." I waited. "Hello?"

More silence. I was alone. I wondered how long I'd be there. Or what I'd done to get here. Or better yet, if there was a way to get out.

I looked around. It was too dark to tell. I reached my hands to my neck. My necklace was gone. I had no light.

Now what? 

I sat in the silence, peering into the darkness. It seemed to wrap around me, circling me, ready to strike. My eyes darted around. I could've swore I saw movement... I tried to look closer, but there wasn't enough light. I sensed movement again, this time on my left. I had the strange sensation that I was being watched. I hate the dark.

Goosebumps spread along my neck. Something must be in here... I tried to listen closer, and I heard a soft breath. I flipped around to look for it's source, but I didn't see anything there. "I- is anyone here?", I squeaked out.

In front of me opened two gleaming, blood red eyes.