Into the Darkness

Chapter 28

Kara's POV

Kara isn't sure how long they had been walking but she knew it felt like days. Her stomach was empty and her legs ached. It didn't help that any breaks they took were shorter and no one wanted to sit because of all the murky puddles. Conner was constantly insisted that they keep moving. He was trying to hard to stay positive and frankly it was kind of anoying.

"Come on guys pick up the pace!" He shouts back, "We're almost there."

"If he says to hurry up one more time I'm gonna-" Vincent threatens shaking a fist in Connors general direction.

"Relax Vince," Gwen says forcing a smile, "At least we're out of there. Look at the bright side."

"What bright side?" Vincent mumbles but I am pretty sure Gwen doesn't here him and if she does than she ignores him.

All of a sudden Conner breaks out into a run and shouts something I can't hear back at us. Quinn follows. I hear Vincent groan, "I am not running."

Nika runs past me almost knocking me over, "guys what are you waiting for? We're here!"

Elle is the first one to run after them after a quick grin in my direction. Me and Gewn quickly follow and Vincent brings up the rear, all the while shouting for us to wait up.
When we reach where Conner and Quinn stop at first I don't see anything different about this area. Then I see it. A tiny hole in the ceiling with golden light streaming out of it.
It hardly seems real. I try to remember the last time I saw sunlight but can't. That is nothing but a faint memory. But this, this is real.

"Are you all just going to stand there gaping or is one of you going to hand me the crow bar." Conner says already halfway up the ladder.
Someone I can't be sure who hands him the crow bar. I can't take my eyes off of the light. It's so beautiful. It's so real. Nothing like the artificial light I have been living with for so long.
After a few minutes of grunting and metal scraping against metal light floods the tunnel.
It's amazing but I can't bring myself to actually look at it for more than a second. It's too bright.
I think Gwen actually cries out when she first sees it.

I can hear multiple people shouting outside but I can't bring myself to look.
I hear a girl shrieking with delight and Conner greeting another man.

I force myself to uncover my eyes, it's surprising how fast I am able to adjust. I start to follow Gwen who is already pushing herself through the hole. She gasps and disappears from view. I hurry after her and push myself up too. 

The first thing I notice besides the light is heat. It's in such contrast with the cool moist environment of the room. Being out here in the open feels like I am being cooked. I don't like it, especially since I am in black full body armor. I wonder how they all haven't been roasted alive by now. The next thing is the breeze. It's been less than a year but I already forgot what it felt like. I take a deep breath of fresh air for the first time in what feels like forever. 

Gwen sequels with delight, "Kara, Kara! Look!""

I can't really see where she is pointing but than again I can't see much of anything, "What? What is it Gwen?"

"The buildings! The trees! Everything! It's amazing." The world suddenly gets so much clearer. Box like buildings line streets, like actual, for real paved roads with white lines and even a stop light. All the buildings have  generic signs on them like Bank or Hotel or Grocery store. It looks like a mini version of a cute downtown. Surrounding the entire town is a huge forest that looks like it goes on forever.

"What is this place?" Elle asks marveling at everything, "It beautiful."

"It's a prison." This voice is a new one and I look around wildly for the source. It came from a boy standing next to Conner. He is a lot taller than me and his built like a football player. One of the mot prominent details I notice is that he isn't wearing a black suit. None of the new people are, only the ones who rescued us. 

He speaks with his face towards the ground so the only thing I can see is a head full of blond hair. He looks up and scowls, "Don't let it' looks deceive you."

Nika leans over and whispers to me, "That's Ian. He-"

Before anyone can say anything else I can hear Vincent's weak voice calling up to us. He still hasn't climbed up yet, "Can I get a little help guys?"

"There's a ladder Vincent." Gwen calls down. 

"I can't see it. I can hardly see anything. It's to bright."

"You just have to open your eyes. It will get better." I call down to him in a weak attempt to help.

"It's just too bright Kara." He replies his voice is shaky and for a second I think he is going to start crying. I cant help but feel bad for him. If he loses it in from of all these people he will never get over it.No one will hold it against him but he won't ever forget it.

"Is no one going to help him?" Ian demands and before anyone can reply he is jumping down the manhole. A few seconds later Vincent's brown shaggy hair appears and he pushes himself out. Ian is right below him helping him get out. Vincent curls up in a ball on the round shielding himself from the light. 

"It's too bright!" He cries out.

Ian kneels down next to him, "How long has it been?"

"'bout four years I think." He groans.

Ian whistles, "Long time. I spent four years down there too before we got here. You's get used to it."

Vincent pokes his head out and I see him smile, "Really because right now I feel like I'm being fried."

Ian laughs, "I'm Ian."

"Vincent."Ian helps Vincent off the ground and he is eventually is able to open his eyes. 

"Conner what is this place?" I ask now that we are all adjusted, "Where are we?"

"We don't know exactly where we are but we it's a mountain of some kind. We just call it the town. Creative right?" He gestures to the other kids, "We are what's left of what we think was the Voices first Trial."

A blond girl who looks almost identical to Nika only a little shorter speaks next, "The voice just calls us group A which I guess would make you guys group B. I'm Alexandra or just Alex."

"The Voice called this place Phase three" Quinn says, "but so far not much has happened, "So Stephanie has been working on a way to escape. She's kind of a genius"

An Asian girl with long black hair, who until up to this point has been silent raises her hand slightly, "That would be and I am not a genius. I just pay attention. And as for escaping it's coming along. The entire  perimeter of the town is guarded by some invisible barrier. It's also blocking any kind of radio signals but I think I can get it down... eventually."

"What about our friends?" Gwen interrupts, "The voice sent them somewhere. We can't leave without them."

"Relax Gwen. They went through the tunnels. That's how we got here." Conner points to another manhole a little farther away, "That's where we came through. It can only be opened from the inside. They could be here any day now."

"If they don't all die first." Ian scoffs.

"What is he talking about?" I ask, "What happens in the tunnels?"

Ian scowls, "People die but what else is new."