Lost Memories

Chapter Seven

We knew it was going to be a long hour. So we tried to find things to keep us awake. After too many times of playing 'guess the object' I find another solution to our boredom.

"Why don't we check out upstairs, and see what's up there?" I interrupted.

"We aren't supposed to leave our posts." Argued Thylla.

"I thought you wanted an excuse to be alone with Dominic." I said. "I'm giving you one."

Thylla was silent. I almost regretted saying that. Almost.

"I'm the scout, so I'll go there first. That's my job."

"Well," Mason protested. "There are usually two. So why don't I come with you?"

"Sure." I agree. "Anyone else?"

No one answers.

"Okay then, see you guys soon."

Mason and I walked up the cracked, broken, stairs, and entered a balcony covered by a tattered, red, carpet.

"What is this place?" I asked.

"Spooky. That's what it is." Mason commented.

"Which way?" I ask.

"You're the scout." Mason said. "I'm supposed to follow you."

I look around. The balcony split into three, dark hallways with rooms branching off of the hallways. I decide that nothing good ever came out of straying from your path, so we went straight. I start towards the first hallway, and the boards below me creaked like an old tree rustling in the wind. Mason took a small metal cylinder from his backpack, flipped a switch on it. A light protruded from the bowl-like tip. It's a flashlight.

I start towards the hallway, and Mason's flashlight is the only thing keeping me from tripping on rips in the carpet. I step in front of the first door and my foot falls through the wood as it breaks under my weight. I stutter, and I almost fall, but I manage to catch myself before I break my foot.

Mason laughs. "Want some help?"

"Just shut up and help me." I smile. "Don't break my foot."

Mason walks over to me, and grabs my arms. He hoists me up. I kick some wood from my shoe and stand, now wary of the big hole my foot made. I walk a ways down the dark hallway with Mason right on my tail.

"Look." Mason says. "Did you see that?"

I look to where he is pointing. I don't see anything.

"No. I don't see anything. What was it?"

"It..." He pauses. "It was nothing. My eyes must be playing tricks on me."

"Mason," I start. "If it was nothing then why would you hide it from me?"

"Because it would scare you."

My heart starts to beat quickly. I feel it pulse through my veins, and I hope he can't tell how scared I am.

I hear a crack from a room farther down the hall, and we both freeze.

"Turn it off." I whisper.

"Bad idea..."

"No time to argue. If we die, I apologize in advance."

Mason flicks the flashlight off, and my eyes start to adjust as I switch my concentration to my ears, listening for any movement.

I hear a thump behind me, from the doorway that Mason and I went through. Mason is behind me as I face the noise, my sword drawn. A light shines right in my face, a flashlight, and I shrink back as my eyes react harshly.