Enter Abyss

Chapter 28; Soft whispers, hidden secrets.

Cogs came back to the room only once and that was to ask Pip and Archer how he looked.

Archer said he looked smart, while Pip said he was a twit for asking, since Meera couldn't actually see what he looked like.

Nevertheless, she wished him luck and seemed sincere about it, making Cogs hope that she had forgotten their previous arguments and was willing to put their feelings for one another in the past.

Finally, Cogs waived goodbye to them both and went to meet Meera in the marketplace.

"Hello, dearest." she said when he tapped her on the shoulder and leaned in to kiss her softly, "My, aren't you handsome tonight?"

"How do you know I look handsome?"

"I can sense it." she replied, grinning. "That, and your hair smells freshly washed, so I know it must be a special occasion."

Cogs laughed, gently bumping her with his hip.

Together, they walked with Cogs leading the way, soon coming to a quiet, moss-filled grove surrounded by glowing, pink stones. The grove was set a little ways away from town, but not too far-- Cogs knew that Meera would get nervous if they strayed so far that she couldn't hear the bustle of the town anymore.

Watching her now feel the ground around her, Cogs bade her to sit down, guiding her to a comfortable spot as she ran her fingers over the thick green carpet beneath them

He smiled, feeling his heart flutter within him, and his palms grew damp with a nervous sweat. His heart pounded wildy, making the blood rush in his ears, sounding oddly enough like waves crashing against a rocky seashore.

Blimey, he was going to tell her. He was going to say it...

Eventually.

"So," she said, looking over at him, but not seeing his nervous expression, "I know you didn't bring me here for moss, as much as such a thing pleases me. Was there something you wanted to talk about?"

Mouth dry and feeling as though it was filled with sand, Cogs managed a small squeak.

"I'll take that as a yes, then." Meera replied, smiling softly, concern in her tone, "Are you all right? You seem nervous. Is Pip threatening to cut holes in your socks again?"

"What? No." Cogs shook his head, bracing himself, "No... the reason why I brought you here, alone was because... I want to-- no, have to-- tell you something."

Her face went serious then and she nodded at him to go on.

Breathing deeply, Cogs could barely stand how beautiful she was. How innocent. How perfect. He wanted to kiss her then and there, but he did not, for it is rather hard to confess your undying love for someone when you are kissing them.

"Meera," he said, taking her hand gently, "Every time I look at you, I feel as though my heart is flying--"

She frowned, cocking her head toward the town as if she was not listening.

"I feel as though we were meant for each other--"

"Did you hear that?" she hissed, her voice suddenly low and urgent, almost panicked.

Cogs huffed, frustrated. Gods, couldn't she see that he was trying to profess his love to her?

Then he heard it too; a loud bang, then a deep rumble like thunder, then... screaming. Lots and lots of screaming.

The explosions were coming closer now, faster, faster, and Cogs only just had time to grab Meera's hand, shouting at her to run when something went off not far from them, sending them flying. Cogs felt his head slam into something hard, he heard Meera shriek in pain.

It all went dark after that.

                               ...................................

AUTHOR'S NOTE; Congradulations, you've reached the climax of the story. It's all downhill from here! Ok... maybe not, lol. :) Either way, thank you so much for reading and don't forget to vote! Also, if you have been liking Enter Abyss this far and you would like some more steampunk-related books, feel free to check out my newly released novel, Skyrun! As a companion novel to this book, Skyrun follows the story of one of Archer's distant relatives as he is taken by pirates and embarks on an adventure of a lifetime. Anyway, thanks for reading!!

the_twilight_writer