The Impossibilities of The Dark

Tell Tales

We sat by the warm campfire, me and Rina's hair wet from the swim. We sat in a circle, taking turns telling tales of mystery and fantasy. 

"And the awaiting jaws of the monster devours the metan." Icel finishes, a wide grin spreading on his face. 

I told the story of the minotaur, and I think I told it pretty well. I loved the story as a kid, even though it was violent. 

Rina told the tales that her family passed down through the centuries. Of merfolk and monsters. Of horror and suspense, and of course the magical beauty of her world. I thought her stories were the most interesting of them all. 

Out of the blue, I started shaking. My whole body shuddered. No, no, no. 

Another memory. 

I wish I had never seen it, it tore me up from the inside out. 

A heavy thud sounded against the window pane, making my room shake. I groan, rolling over and pulling a pillow over my head. Another boom sounded. Then another. I knew that I needed to check out the origin of the noise. If I didn't, I wouldn't get any sleep. I pull the covers off, and bring my feet over the bed. My feet hang down as I rub my eyes, trying to get there without falling over. Boom. Tink. 

"Alright. Alright." I croak, getting up fully. 

Realizing that it was coming from my window, I look down. My eyes widened as I beheld Gemi wearing her fuzzy pj's, throwing tiny rocks at the window. 

What is she doing, I thought. 

I pull open the window, letting the breeze filter in. I look to Gemi and reprimand her, "What the hell are you doing this...." I look to my clock, noting that it read 2:49, "morning?"

"C'mon." She waves her hand in the air like an idiot, with excited eyes.

I stare at her, and say the first thing that comes to mind, "Are you drunk?"

"No." She laughs, throwing her head back.

"Well if you aren't, then I am not responsible for you." I start to close the window, and she screams, "It'll be an adventure!"

Shit.

"Quiet." I hiss, "You'll wake my parents."

"Then come down here."

"I could get in trouble."

"So what? You have to have some fun every once in a while." She smirks up at me, ushering me down there. 

I groan, accepting defeat. 

"Fine." I huff, and start to climb out the window. Feet first. 

I climbed on the piece of roof, and from there I jumped the short length down. 

She loops her hand through mine, and we start to walk. 

"Where are we going?"

"Nowhere." She grins, ear to ear, just leading me along.

Well fine, then.

We walk until we see the dirt path, leading to a collection of trees. I walk through without hesitation, trusting that Gemi knew what she was doing. 

We walk a little while, then...

Darkness envelops me, blackness edging at the outer rims of my view. 

Then, blinding light. I scream, my lungs sore. I hear another voice, Gemi. 

I gasp. That must have been the portal. I couldn't think of any other possible resolution. 

I start to cry, tears flooding down my cheeks. She was here. She was here. She could have died, or tortured. Eaten by an unmentionable. I scream, pulling my hair out from my scalp. This is my fault. I should have said no. Warm hands enveloped me, my tears warming their skin. I knew that I seemed weak by crying in front of them. But I didn't care. I. Did. Not. Care. My best friend was out there, possibly already gone. 

When I come to a stop, my shuddering breaths slowing, I murmured, "Gemi?"

This time, a little louder I say, "Gemi?"

I scream, my rage filtering in my very veins, "Gemi?!"

I hated the queen, and what she did to us. How she could turn our fates. That she killed innocents, and made people and things suffer out of her own selfishness.

Icel says next to me, his knees on the ground in front of me, "Kyra. It's okay."

"No, it's no-o-t-t. Sh-e-e is out t-there. All alone. Suf-f-ferning."

"Kyra." He says calmly, "Who? What are you talking about?"

I choke out a breath, then shudder. 

"Gemi."

I hear a snap echo in the distance. I whip my head up, instantly on my feet. I walk towards the sound, not caring of any of the dangers. 

I hear Rina behind me, calling my name with tenderness and concern.

I walk on, ignoring her cries towards me. I would find her.

The footsteps get faster, and I started to run. It had to be her. What monster would run away from their meal?

It trips, and I slow to a walk. 

It was just on the other side of the tree.

"Gemi?" I call out. There was no telling what it was. If it was even her. 

I walk those next couple steps. And stopped in my tracks.

~~~~~

Ooh, a big mind bomb right there! You could have never actually known for sure if she was alive or not. Well, you'll find out in the next chapter!