Reflections of Mist

Lifeline

Maddie looked up as she heard faint footsteps tap, tap, tap towards her from a dark tunnel off to the side.

Tentatively, she called out. "Alysha? That you?"

"No, but close!" Called Nyx as she strode into the cavern, speeding up when she saw Maddie, a large grin breaking out on her face as she raced over to her, pulling her into a hug.

"Maddie! Oh, God, Maddie! Wait... How are you here? I thought..."

"Yeah, I know." Maddie smiled, tears of happiness prickling in her eyes. "I don't understand! Am I real? Is this our world? What's happening?"

Visibly, she was beginning to break down.

Gently and calmly, Nyx pulled her close, holding her, stroking her hair, comforting her.
They wrapped each other up in their arms, clutching at each other like they were each others last hope for survival.

Slowly, after a while, they pulled apart, although still holding each other close. Nyx swallowed, still smiling. "Hey, just curious. You said Alysha? Do you mean... Is she around here?"

"She left a while ago, I think to see if she could find anyone else. Oh, God, Nyx. You won't believe what I've seen!"

Nyx chuckled lightly. "Try me." She acknowledged Maddie's odd look in response to the comment. "Oh, never mind. Just tell me, what did you see that I wouldn't believe?"

"I saw... I was trapped with... Oh, God, Nyx! Are we in Hell?"

Nyx looked concerened, still trying to sooth her friend with her touch. "No, Maddie, I don't think so. I know this seems like a terrible place, but I don't quite think it's Hell..."

Maddie clutched Nyx's forearms. "But you don't know, do you? Do you? Nyx, I saw... Oh, God, Nyx... I was trapped with him... And all he did was stand there... And... Nyx!" She once again clutched at her friend, like she was her only lifeline.