Underland Chronicles: 1 - The Border's Edge (A Gregor the Overlander FanFic)

Chapter 14

The weary travelers kept a steady pace as they pressed on. Ripred finally called for another break, this time to eat some lunch. Pandora couldn't believe it was only lunchtime; it felt like they were walking for an entire day!

"I'm used to walking far back in New York," Pandora commented as they sat down, "but it feels as though I've never walked so far in my life!"

"The uneven ground is what makes it so tiring," Pan said breathlessly. "It is not easy going."

"You can say that again!" Pandora exclaimed with an exasperated sigh.

Lunch was passed out, and Pandora was grateful for every mouthful. She washed down her portion with many gulps of water. Although adequately refreshed, she wished that the break was longer, for it wasn't long before they resumed their journey.

They started their single-file march once again. "It shouldn't be much longer," Ripred called from up ahead.

Pandora silently groaned, her feet protesting with each step. She couldn't wait until they reached the tunnels so she could sit atop a bat for the trip. After considering how exhausted the bats were, she felt guilty about the thought.

While trudging onward, Pandora noticed a strange feeling in her gut. She thought that she might have been too dehydrated, but then realized what was actually happening. It was the same tingling sensation she had before a seizure, but much milder. Instead of experiencing one, however, she stood still as her eyes rolled back into her head. She had a sudden realization and cried out "stop!"

Everyone stopped dead in their tracks and turned to look at Pandora. Aware that nine pairs of eyes were locked onto her, she walked with confidence up to the front of the group, passing Ripred by only a few paces. She held some vines to the side to reveal a clearing in the jungle, with dense foliage to either side but a clear view of tunnels up ahead.

"We've made it to the edge of the jungle!" cried Nike joyously.

Pandora held up a finger. "But we're not out yet. There's something in our way."

Nike's smile fell and Luxa yelled from the back, "Oh, please do not be what I am thinking!"

With a mischievous smile aimed at Luxa, Pandora slowly took a few steps into the clearing. No one moved to follow. She reached towards a thick dark green vine that dangled slightly to her right, having to go onto her tiptoes in order to grasp it in her hands. With a tug, the vine came loose, and she let it drop to the dirt floor.

It wasn't a vine; it was a three-foot-long snake, with dark green scales and a bright orange marking on its head.

As soon as the first one hit the floor, the dense foliage surrounding the clearing became alive with writhing snakes. Heads shot out of the trees and vines above, while others slithered from underneath bushes.

"Twisters!" Hazard shouted.

Eyes on the ground in front of her, Pandora jumped, ducked, and side-stepped snakes to get back to the group. Many snakes tried to strike at her, but she seemed to be one move ahead of them. She made it back to Ripred without a single bite. "You're welcome," she said cheerfully.

Ripred's eyes darted to look at the snakes, seeming to be thinking of a plan. Howard, as well as some of the others, looked frozen in a state of panic. Luxa seemed frightened, but stalked towards Ripred, a hand on the hilt of her sword.

"How should we continue?" she asked.

"My best guess is having you and Howard flank me, with the others following in our wake."

"Sounds as good a plan as any," Luxa said miserably.

"What if I held a torch?" Pandora piped in. "I mean... I could stand in the back and make sure they stay away."