The Key of Astrea

Tree House

Heavy rain chilled Jenny to the bone where she lay on the wet cobblestones. She opened her eyes and saw Sally—no, Astrea—standing above her. It seemed like the battle had raged only minutes ago. Jenny could still smell blood and sweat, but she saw only moss-covered ruins around her.

Jenny rolled onto her knees and stood up. "This is where you created the portal."

Astrea nodded and pointed at the timeworn storm drain.

Jenny looked down. "After the portal closed, the Riftkey fell down there."

Astrea nodded and then jumped into the hole.

Jenny gasped and dropped to her knees to peer into the dark drain for her ghost companion. Years of water erosion had widened and smoothed the opening, and she had to choose her hand position carefully to avoid falling in. "Do you expect me to follow you down there?" Jenny called out.

There was no answer, of course, except for the rain that pelted the back of her head and dripped off of her face. Jenny straightened up and tightened the strap on her duffel bag. "I can do this."

Jenny sat on the edge and swung her feet into the hole. After wedging her fingers into the cobblestones, she found a foothold and lowered herself into the drain. As she shimmied down the slick rock, the muscles in her arms and legs started to burn. After a minute, she couldn't take it anymore. Jenny shoved her foot into a gap and allowed herself to rest.

Suddenly, the chunk of the wall her foot rested on gave way. Her stomach shifted into her throat. She scratched at the wall for a handhold, but only succeeded in splintering her black-painted fingernails on the rough stone. Gravity yanked her down, and she slammed into the drain channel.

Jenny screamed as pain shot up her back. Her scream turned into a gurgle as the iron taste of blood filled her mouth. She had bitten her tongue before and knew it took weeks to heal completely; she couldn't imagine how long this gouge would take. Still, this fear was nothing compared to a realization that gripped her chest in a cold, iron fist. She couldn't move. I'm paralyzed, and no one will ever find me. I'm going to die here, alone. I never should have run away.

Soon, the murky water rose past her ears and tickled her nose. It was colder than she thought possible, and her breathing came short and fast as water found its way into her sinuses and lungs. All she could do was lie there and stare at the opening six meters above her. Astrea stood over her with a look of concern, sunlit rain passing through her ethereal body.

Then, a warm buzzing sensation traveled up and down Jenny's spine. After a minute, tingling pain, like pins and needles, spread throughout her body. Her fingers twitched, and a minute later she rolled onto her side and coughed up the wetness that had settled into her lungs. She stood up, and a dizzy spell made her stumble. She leaned against the stone wall for support, and rivulets of water slithered over her hands. She touched her burning back and winced. Her fingers came back spotted with blood. She turned around and inspected her surroundings. She stood in a channel about the size of a twin bed with one end that tapered toward a dark tunnel and was clogged by a darker shape.

"My bag!"

Inside, she found that her spare clothes were thoroughly soaked. Her hair and makeup supplies were fine, but her smartphone was ruined. A hollow pit formed in her chest. For two years, she had meticulously customized her phone's apps and settings until it was perfect. It knows me better than I know myself, and I just got this new case with pink skulls too. I might as well have lost an arm.

Next, she pulled out the box of Lamingtons and saw murky water sloshing around the confections. She dropped the box of treats into the channel and watched it disappear into the pitch-black tunnel.