A Perfect World

Part Two

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A sharp whisk of morning air blasted my already beaten features, as I sauntered my way carefully out of the darkened school bus. The air held in a heavy shroud around us, penetrating our still unadjusted vision. Shivering slightly, I groped myself tighter in a meek attempt to escape the echoes of the wind. Everyone carefully collided together, their faces creased of contempt for yet another stupid field trip.

Only one face beamed upon the otherwise unamused crowd. Indeed, the face that had arranged the entire ordeal. Mr. Walton strode forward, delight merging upon his wrinkled features. Grinning broadly, he clapped his hands together as a form of attention, a stupid grin harnessed to his otherwise expressionless face.

"Hello, everyone! So glad to finally be here! This is going to be quite an exciting day for you all!" In a rash attempt to contain his excitement, he stooped over, letting out a muffled chortle. "Okay, so, we'll start by separating you into groups."

At the brink of his words, I shot a glance at the ever anticipated Cecilia. Cecilia turned to me from across the great mass of people, providing a silent motion of agreement. I wished deeply that Cecilia and I would be permitted to work together, as the both of us generally became stuck in the worst of groups. It seemed as though Mr. Walton did this intentionally, merely for the joy of watching me squirm.

"Alright, when I call out your name, you will stand over there, right by that tree. You will be Group One." Listening intently, I peered through the accumulating mist pass before my eyes. A few people were called, most of whom I vaguely was acquainted, but didn't know personally. A few girls from the punk rock group disassembled, as a few of the bad kids were rearranged and put into their appropriate order.

My mind whirred steadily, as the loud roars surrounding me soon subdued into hushed murmurs. All held damp as a moist waft of air lingered upon me. And suddenly, I tuned back in to hear the final call of Mr. Walton.

"And Group Five, we have Jason Foxe, Cecilia Witherspoon, Quinn Donnelly, and Alec Slade." My chest propelled in a leap of joy, as I trudged carefully forward. Cecilia flashed a white glimmer of delight, as she let out a playful giggle, embracing me as I soon approached her.

"Yay!" She beamed, he eyes glistening of perfect satisfaction. "He put us together! He finally put us together!" I projected her enthusiasm as best I could, though I couldn't help but notice the remainder of our group.

As we walked down the base of the cavern, my eyes flashed intently upon both the others. Quinn appeared rather unusual for a girl her age. She wore slightly baggy overalls beneath a plaid collar, as well as a pair of roughly battered sneakers. Her light blonde hair had been fashioned to a cropped pixie cut, to reveal a completely plain, makeup less face. And yet, somehow she appeared extremely beautiful.

Mr. Walton had admitted then all into varying sections of the caves, allowing them to explore at free will. Thus, the group wandered aimlessly before the hollowed beacon of darkness, as their eyes fought to fend the surroundings. All held unusually still, and almost ominously quiet. Not a words omitted from any of them.

Alec, however, was by far the most mysterious of the group. He was concrete as stone, emotionless, and reserved in a way unlike any other. His handsome features stood chiseled in a manner of utter defiance. His brows furrowed as his eyes protested in a sharp squint, appearing colder than any person I had ever witnessed. His mouth drew in a wry sneer of displeasure, as he lingered oddly towards the back of us all.

Quinn pulled out a ruffled paper, as she intently surveyed the shadowed surroundings. A flash of light streamed from amidst the looming darkness as Cecilia pulled out a nearby light from her pack. Quinn's eyes reflected in a narrow gleam as she carefully scanned the crumpled paper.

"Okay, so it says here we need to locate a source of stalactite and identify its function." Her words bounced in leering wavers as I too surveyed my paper. Edging closer beneath the binding darkness, my eyes squinted as I peered upon a crystal-like tendril. My steps came in a slow motion, as I neared the unusual image. Turning sharply around, I veered towards the others.

"Hey, guys! C'mere, I think I found-" my words soon fell short. A great rumbling trickled throughout the corridors of the cavern, penetrating all that held within. Tremors seized the outskirts of the interior, increasing greatly by the second. My mind shifted in a bleak whir of confusion, as I held my gaze directly to that of Cecilia's.

Everyone stopped abruptly. My spine seemed to shift in a sheer prickle of terror, as I felt the rocks about me begin to give way. A loud jolt sounded from above the walls of the cave, quivering and convulsing in a rapid pattern. And at that moment, I knew. We had to get out of here.

Narrow walls soon plummeted upon me, caving inward in a hazy blur of light. Dust erupted in wild fumes of smoke, as my breathing smothered rapidly within the darkness. My eyes geared wildly as I began a frantic search for Cecilia, in hopes she would be okay. Calling out her name in a desperate search of panic, every impulse held within me prayed that she would be kept safe.

Another piercing uproar of rocks and stones propelled upon me, as I dove to defend myself. Coughing and gagging violently, I crawled through the mass of debris. A thunderous roar quaked the echoes of the cavern, as a great boulder ascended before me. And suddenly, everything went black.