Lost In Time

35. Nothing Is Impossible

IT IS TIME FELLOW READERS!! READ ON!! *BACKFLIPS OUT OF VIEW*

Erik's POV

I walked as fast as I could to the shore of the lake without falling. I could see the outline of the secret entrance of the tunnels. Rarely have I ever used them, unless the lake was either to high or low, or there was an emergency. This was one of those rare occasions it seemed.

Quickly, I placed my hand on the wall and pushed it to the side with my palm. Groaning at the sudden use, the wall moved to the right just enough for someone to enter. Without any source of light, I made my way to the third tunnel. The floors were covered in fallen stone and dead rodents that I had to avoid with great caution.

Within minutes, splashing and muffled whimpers could be heard in the distance. This sudden change of atmosphere was terrifying and made my blood rush. Picking up my pace as well as I could, I weaved my way through a broken trap and followed an unearthly bright light that started to shine in the distance.

Finally, I turned the corner to the tunnel that held the victim of the trap. I could see the outline of a lumpy mass next to the light. Squinting my eyes at the brightness of it, I slowly stalked to the side of the hole.

Looking down, I saw a sight I would never be able to get out of my head.

The gate had descended quite quickly, almost crushing the person underneath. The figure was pressed down by it, holding themselves up by the metal bars of the door. Their head was struggling to keep up and out of the water. Their nose and mouth was through one of the square openings, gasping frantically, not catching enough breath to scream anymore. Everything else besides their lower part of their face was in the water.

Quickly I ran to the side of the wall behind me that held the trap door lever. I pulled the lever so hard it almost broke and an ear piercing screech and groan came from the gears of the gate. Slowly, it pulled off of the person and the water.

Running to the side of the trap, I knelt down and looked over the side again.

And there she was.

"Faith!" I screamed in panic, happiness, and shock.

The brunette frantically looked up, keeping herself afloat by her arms. Her hair and clothes were soaked and her face had a few red lines where she had it pressed against the door.

Faith's blue eyes met mine and I felt my heart stop. Three and a half unbearably long and hell-like weeks without seeing those eyes. It felt like I had a bucket of warm water being poured throughout my body.

"Erik!" She gasped, tears still streaming down her face. Her arms then gave out from the constant paddling. She buckled and started to struggle to keep afloat. Her whimpers of despair echoed through the fifteen foot deep hole. I felt myself jumping down into the water.

Freezing water hit my torso and legs, but I couldn't react. I had to get Faith out of here. Grabbing her around the waist firmly, I reached for the circle lever. I pulled on it, making it come out of the wall an inch. Slowly, stones moved away to reveal protruding metal bars on the side of the wall all the way up to the top. I felt her slump against my side, putting dead weight on me.

I shook her a bit, "Stay awake. I can't hold both of us while going up the ladder."

A moan escaped from her and she picked up her head off of my chest. Reaching for the bars, I placed her soft hands on them. Faith pulled herself up shakily, and started to climb. Behind her, I watched to make sure she didn't fall backwards. Soon, she slipped onto the hard stone floor of the tunnel. Huge gasps of exhaustion echoed around us. I pulled myself out too, then tugging on the bar at the top of the opening. It sunk back into the wall, signaling the floor to seal up into what looked to be a hard surface.