Journey

Chapter 2: Making Sense of it all

A few hours later Mary went back to the tent she came from and continued to write more in her journal:

~~~~~

The flickering gaslight cast grotesque shadows on the cavern walls as I tried to focus on my data entry. Numbers swam before my eyes, each one replaced by the image of a familiar face — a classmate from primary school, a neighbor from back home. The feeling was relentless, a buzzing in my skull that intensified every time I saw something that sparked a memory of Earth.

Tonight, it was the constellations. Master Aqpha assured us that no celestial patterns here mirrored Earth's, yet a familiar cluster of stars seemed to wink back at me — a cruel reminder of everything I'd left behind.

Sleep offered no escape. Dreams became a kaleidoscope of forgotten phrases and half-remembered songs, each one a shard of a life that now felt impossibly distant. The isolation gnawed at me. Everyone else seemed content to accept Master Aqpha's pronouncements as gospel. Was I the only one who felt this strange pull — this desperate hope that I wasn't truly alone? I have to be out of my mind.

~~~~~

Alsaashdyn's voice echoed in Mary's mind.
"You aren't overreacting."

Usually, Mary spoke aloud when conversing with Alsaashdyn — but not this time. This time, her words were silent and inward:
If I'm not, then more people from Earth would be here by now, right? If the Chevaliers weren't monitoring that part of the planet, I'd still be in those mines.

They don't catch everything.

I know that, Alsaashdyn... but they were there for Jill.

You know they'll tell you if they find anyone else transported to this world. I still think you should talk to your Master about what you wrote. They won't think you're crazy.

Mary put her pen down and made a decision — she would do just that.

She walked around the encampment, glancing around.
He isn't nearby when I need him? That's strange.

When she found him, she gave her usual salute and shared what was on her heart.

He smiled gently. "We've been thinking the same thing. Our scouting parties have found nothing, but I promise — we'll let you know if we discover anything or anyone else."

"I want to know how Jill and I got here. And if there's a way back, I want her sent home. I'm a Chevalier. I can take care of myself."

Unbeknownst to Mary, Jill had overheard.

"Trying to get rid of me, girlfriend?"

Mary turned, shocked — and instantly embarrassed.

"No, I'm not. You belong back on Earth."

"So do you, Mary. And if only one of us can return, it should be you. It would do you the most good. Later on... you can always come back."

Master Aqpha stepped in.
"I agree. But both of you, listen carefully — don't get your hopes up. It's entirely possible that whoever — or whatever — brought you here only gave you a one-way ticket."

Jill added, "That's why Master Aqpha hasn't said anything yet. I made sure he didn't. All we have is me... and a hunch. If there are more people here from Earth, there's nothing we can do about it."

"I, in hell, want no one else to go through even half of what I've been through,"
Mary said.

Jill nodded. "We all feel the same way."

Mary sighed. "I'm sorry for getting angry at you."

Jill smiled. "I knew you weren't angry at me, sweetie. You're still dealing with everything you've been through. If you were mad at me, though — I'd have to whoop that butt."