The Unsolved Mystery #Wattys2019

Chapter Twenty Four - Escape I

"Happiness is meeting an old friend after a long time"

- From the 'Happiness is' Page

Amayraah jolted as her eyes flew open due to lack of oxygen. Her breathing was at rapid rate, body covered with sweat. She saw the stairs, she remembered how had she ended up here.

Even if I go up, I would remain a prisoner there. My brain and heart agreed to go down and my legs allowed myself to walk in the mouth of death.

She wiped her face and turned her torch on. Fastening her pace, she climbed down more in the dim light of torch. C'mon, you got do this! After climbing down hundreds of stairs again, she saw a ladder in front of her. Gosh! Weren't stairs enough? Now, I gotta climb the ladder. She put the torch in the space of bottle holder in the side of bag as she placed her hands on the side of ladder and climbed it. In the light of torch she saw screws and nuts on the top of ceiling.

A ray of hope gleamed in her eyes, her throat forgot how thirsty it was! The screws and slight cut portion proved that it was some secret window. She pushed it, with one hand on the ladder but it didn't budge. God how this thing opens? The secret window had to open at any cost. She tried pushed it again but it didn't work. Fuck! She finally removed the torch and observed the screws minutely.

The so called window was fitted slightly above the ceiling surface and so she simply swiped the small door from right to left. Oh Amayraah, it was so easy. The window opened and her eyes blinked rapidly adjusting to the bright white fluroscent light. Okay, I got this! She put the torch back in the side of bag and climbed up. She landed on the floor, her hands were bruised and dirty in an attempt. She moved the door back in its position.

Okay Amayraah! What is this place now? Her eyes roamed and she face calmed herself. The place had stones and pillars everywhere and there were no windows. She dragged herself towards the nearest pillar, her breath uneven.

Unanticipated, there was loud noise enough to burst anyone's ear drums and the earth beneath her was shaking. It was raining stones. Everything was falling. Shit! What the fuck! I screamed. To her surprise, someone wrapped their hands over her waist and lifted her in air.

"Holy sh..!" she screamed but was interrupted by a voice.

"Its me, Agastya" the voice said, "Let me help you"

She allowed him to carry her she didn't had any strength. To her astonishment, the whole place was shaking!

After several minutes, the shaking of earth stopped and so the loud noises. Amayraah glanced at the bruised person besides her, blood was dripping from his forehead.

"Are you okay?" Her heart pained to see Agastya in this condition. The marks of earlier hitting were visible on Agastya's face.

"Does it hurts?"

He chuckled, "Obviously."

The corners of Amayraah's lips tugged into a small smile.

"What was that? Does stones rain here often?"

He chuckled again. "Yes. It was an earthquake" he said.

"What? An earthquake?"

"I am sorry, Amayraah" He said from nowhere.

"Huh! Why?" she asked but she got the answer when she followed his eyes. Agastya was staring the tattoo on Amayraah's hand. He remembered how they had tied him and persuaded Amayraah to get a tattoo.

"It's okay" she said, "Where is Julian and Chase?" She was worried like hell for the boys.

"They are here" he said. "You want to see them?" He asked

"Yup"

"Fine. Stay here. I will bring them in a minute" he said and walked away.

Amayraah saw around the place, again was scary. How did they even landed here? Her train of thoughts was broken when she heard 'Amayraah' as she instantly recognized the voice of her brother.

Tears brimmed her eyes. His brother, Julian was standing in front of her; the circumstances had separated them.

"How are you?" Julian asked, his voice hoarse instead of normal.

"Not well" she said. She was pulled in another familiar arms.

"Ssh Amayraah! Please don't cry" Chase said. His voice showed he was broken from inside, he had given up. Amayraah pulled back and studied the three boys standing in front of her. The men had turned paler and looked despair. Her eyes stopped at Agastya. Gone was the fire in his eyes, the images of agony and pain appeared on his face.

"Let's get out of here"

"It's of no use" Chase said.

"We can't get out of here, Gingerbread. We are going to be trapped here forever or die" Julian said not meeting her sister's eyes.

"What in hell are you two even talking?"

"We had tried Amayraah. But there's no exit to be found" It was Agastya who spoke.

"We can find exit. I have map"

"What?" Agastya asked.

"You have- wha- at?" Julian asked, his lips parted in surprise. He was shocked, he had lost all hope to escape and Amayraah was here, telling him we can escape.

"I have map. Map of, black hill" she repeated herself again, "The map is inside this bag. Help me to get it"

"Amayraah are you serious?" Chase asked.

"For Christ's sake Chase, how did you even think I entered here? I have map. Hurry your ass up and remove that bag" she hissed.

The boys moved the big stone instantly and Amayraah snatched her bag.

Amayraah took out the map of black hill. "See this is the map" she showed them.

"Fuck. Amayraah you are a savior" Chase shouted.

"Let's get out of here. We have only one hour before the men come and dictate us" Agastya said.

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