The Exiles (Book 1 of the Exiles Series)

Eleven

When I awoke the next morning Nic wasn't at my door. It was probably the earliest I had gotten up since arriving on the island, so I was surprised that Nicole wasn't up and waiting for me, seeing as she was such an early riser. But I got up anyways and went on with my day. My hair was still wet from swimming the night before, and was plastered to my head like a mop. My stomach growled with hunger. I hadn't eaten when Nic and I had arrived home from the lake, so the last time I'd had something to eat was lunchtime the day before.

I foraged for something to eat in my bag beneath the bed. When I had moved, Nic had slipped a few apples and sticks of meat into my sack. I unearthed these items and began to eat. The meat tasted deliciously salty on my tongue, the apple overripe but having a pleasantly tangy flavor. I devoured it all in seconds.

Once my stomach was full, all traces of tiredness vanished, and I set off on my way. Without Nicole at my house, I didn't feel comfortable working on my house on my own. I felt that I couldn't do anything, so I didn't. Eventually, I grew bored just sitting there in the rising heat of the dugout, so I decided to go exploring.

I didn't know where I was or where I was going. All I knew was that I needed adventure. Our little swim the day before had left me hungry, but not for food--for fun. I wanted more. I needed more. Adventure was like food or water to me--it was a necessity.

I turned left after leaving home. Tall trees made a canopy over my path, shading me from the hot sun that was already starting to beat down. The heat was almost unbearable without any shade. After a few seconds, I emerged from the treeline and broke into a run. Unlike the day before, there was no breeze to keep me somewhat cool, but I didn't mind. The heat didn't bother me like it seemed to for other people.

Just like the day before, the island inhabitants all appeared to be inside again. I began to wonder if Nicole, Magnus, and I were the only ones here. As I ran, I wondered what kind of a house Magnus lived in. I pictured it as tall and superior, like a mansion, looming over things large and small alike.

I didn't have to wait long to find out. I nearly tripped over a circle of uniquely shaped stones set into the ground, almost like a fire pit. A sun-bleached wooden trapdoor lay in the center of the circle, with unknown darkness waiting beneath like a black hole. Curiosity won me over instantly. I needed to see what lay beneath the door.

I crouched down on my hands and knees beside the rock circle. I didn't care if my pants got dirty. I didn't notice anything that was going on around me. I didn't hear the crunching of twigs as something or someone creeped nearby. I also didn't notice when the warmth of sunlight on my neck and back was replaced by the pleasant coolness of a shadow looming over me.

"Going in there, are you?" Magnus asked from behind me. Startled, I spun around to face him. He stood so close to me I could feel his breath on my shoulder.

"I suppose," I shrugged. He stepped past me and, with great effort, heaved open the trapdoor. It relented reluctantly, squealing in protest.

"What is that?" I asked him stupidly. I pointed at the darkness that lay below.

"It's my house," Magnus told me, his eyes focused on the blackness beneath the trapdoor. To my relief, he didn't seem to notice my odd behavior.

Magnus groped for something below, and once he had a firm grip, he lowered himself down into the hole. I knelt beside the hole, watching as Magnus cautiously descended into the darkness. I guessed he was climbing down a ladder. With every step downward, Magnus looked around before continuing. I wondered if the rungs of the ladder were slippery, damp from the humidity.

Magnus looked up at me and gestured me down. "What are you waiting for?" he asked. "C'mon, it's alright. Just be careful on the way down."

He sent up a hand to help. I gripped it hard, and leaned down into the pit that I assumed Magnus called home. I was right.