The Rift in Mind

A Darker World

    Darkness. It surrounded Cole like a blanket. That wasn't a problem though. The darkness could hide things. Things Cole didn't want anyone to see, things like him sometimes when the world became too much. It was a comfortable place to hide when nowhere else felt right. Even as a young child the darkness didn't scare him, it welcomed him. It welcomed him when his father didn't accept failure, but he failed at that stupid triple tiger sashay at the age of seven. It became his place. And even now when things didn't turn out right, or even if he wasn't right the darkness was always a place where he could go, calm down, collect his thoughts, and seal them up tight along with other things that remained with him he didn't want anyone else to know about.

So when that mission of searching the cave near Jeronicai village showed up Cole decided to go it alone. It would be like a relaxing hike. He'd check the cave probably debunk the "suspicious noises " as some animal and be done with it. The cave didn't go very deep and he's been around the area before so getting lost wasn't a concern. Plus it beat sitting around here thinking of things to do.

About thirty minutes into the cave the the most "suspicions" thing was a bird that probably flew in and got lost, gave up, and was found by the dim light of Cole's oil lamp on the cave floor. The bird didn't seem to be able to fly or move its right wing in general. Cole couldn't leave it there so he just picked up the bird and continued on his way. When he gets back to the Bounty Zane could give it a checkup and would probably like to help Cole take care of it till its wing is better.

"Don't worry the cave doesn't go on that much longer, we'll reach the end soon and be done here. Sound good?" The bird just looked at Cole like he was crazy, which to be honest talking to a bird and expecting a response was a little weird, and snuggled more into his arm for warmth. "Right I'm talking to a bird... At least you don't complain as much as Jay does."

Twenty minutes pass and they finally reach the end of the cave. "Welp this is it." Cole informed the bird. He took a step forward and touched the cave's cool, rocky surface. Cole closed his eyes and sat down pressing his back against the cave wall and took in a deep breath embracing all the scents and feels the cave had to offer. It was obviously different from the world above so Cole took it as an opportunity.

"Cheep?" The bird questioned squirming a bit to look up at him.

"Just a minute." A moment to rest and just enjoy himself wouldn't hurt. "What should I name you? I guess I'll just let Zane do that. He has a falcon he calls falcon so let's just hope he's improved his naming-things-skill since then." The cave was peaceful other than the occasional drip that echoed throughout the rocky walls from time to time.

The moment was perfect... well almost, Cole couldn't let the flicker of that annoying little flame stop him from fully embracing the complete darkness. He blew on the flame killing it instantly, and set the lamp down far enough to give himself space to move without accidentally resting a palm on it and crushing the little lamp and its dreams of the flame ever being resurrected.

"Chirp!" Cole held the little bird closer to him. Slowly taking in deep breaths he could feel all the tension leave his body. Cole focused on only his breaths letting any sounds pass through him. He could feel the muscles in his face relax out of that serious expression he often carried. He let go of all thoughts allowing his mind to be clear, but not empty.

THUD!

Cole snapped out of meditation, on his

feet in seconds. Holding the bird in his left hand he brought it closer to his chest. Something was here. Something had disturbed the once still air.

Crash!

Something had just shattered the oil lamp.

Knowing approximately where it was Cole struck first. He missed, but felt a palm brush his inner forearm. Just before Cole could bring his leg up to kick he felt a fist connect with his left temple. Pain blossomed from that one spot and spread. Falling to the ground his world became even darker than before.

"Peep?"