The Disappearing Fields

chapter 38

+Haven+

Forcing my eyes open, I'm met by the glare of harsh light. I squint my eyes and look around me. I'm in small room lined with wooden walls and a metal floor. There's no windows and a giant steel door. The dim light comes from a single bulb hanging from the ceiling.

Replace the metal bed that I'm laying on with a chair and throw in a table it would be one of those interrogation rooms down at the police station.

As I look around, the gravity of my situation hits me hard. I've been kidnapped by a person who made an army with the sole purpose of killing Soles. But more than myself, I'm worried about Kaz. He was afraid of what's his face for a reason. And although he's generally smart I know Kaz makes dumb decisions when pressured. He needs to be smart about his next move.

Maybe no ones noticed that I was gone yet. Maybe it's only been an hour or two. I need to get out of here.

I put my feet on the cold floor, and frown. There are chains tied around my left ankle to the bed post. As I move, they scrap against the metal floor, the wretched sound echoes around the empty room.

I pick up the chain and make my way around the room. examining my surroundings closer, I hope to find any clue as to where I am. However, the chains won't allow me to go anymore than halfway across this small room. Which means the steel door is inaccessible. With no windows and no clues to be found all I can do is sink back on the bed with a sigh.

What was I thinking anyway? This guy is crafty. There's no way he would make such a mistake that would possibly cost him the game. We're all pawns in his game. Chances are, he had Kaz acting as the commander of his army because he would make a powerful piece. Even if Kaz is against him. All he would have to do is take Niko and use him as leverage. Then Kaz would have done anything.

What could be his plan from here? What could possibly accomplish with just me? The moment I thought that, I knew. Call it instincts or intuition but something instantly snapped in place. With me, he could have all of Janu at his feet. The Kingdom of the Soles would easily crumble.

I squirmed in the bed. I have to warn someone. Anyone. My essence isn't working and I never knew how to communicate with Kaz. Dread knotted my stomach. I have to tell mother. Thinking back to the last time I saw I her, I formulate a plan.

If she can appear in my soul I should be able to do the same to her, to any Sole. I just have to try.

Closing my eyes, I drift into my head. Deep into my subconscious until I'm greeted by the golden light of the golden days. The leaves on the trees are red and bright orange. Sunlight pokes through them as they're caressed by the cool wind. Even the once bright green grass is now golden.

Why is my soul changing seasons? Is this normal? The Disappearing Fields during the golden days look completely different. Although the golden days doesn't extend outside the barrier. So these are the fields inside the barrier? Does that mean the scenery changes?

No matter how many questions pop in my head, there's not an answer. I'm not here to discuss this anyway. I need to find a way to my mother's soul.

I find myself walking through the forest. The beautiful colored leaves cascade down from the trees in a dance. The golden blades of the grass lightly brush against my knees. They're soft under my feet.

I don't know where I'm heading or even if this will work but I know that I gotta do something. I can't just sit around all day waiting for something to happen. I have to make things happen.

Slowly, as I waddle through the fields, a cave comes into view. It's dark grey outline stands out against the gold and red everywhere.

Something tells me that's where I need to go.