”Yeah,” Mara said as she walked further inside.
Cody looked around in wonder, trying to take in as much as he could. He followed his friend, trying to keep up in the dark cave.
CRUNCH!
Cody looked down, stepping back as he looked in confusion at a small white stone. He picked it up, turning it over in his hands.
”You coming or what?” Mara called from inside the cave.
”Yeah!” He replied, his voice still echoing as he pushed the stone into his pocket. He grimaced, blinking rapidly as his eyes adjusted to the darkness ahead.
Faintly, he made out Mara’s slim figure in the dark.
“You might wanna be careful,” Mara warned as he tripped on a rock. “You can’t see anything on the floor here.”
Cody looked down, even though it was pitch black. His feet didn’t feel like they were going to hit something. In fact, the rock beneath felt rather smooth.
He kicked his leg out experimentally...feeling air rich under him as he realized he wasn’t on the floor at all.
No, he must be several feet high.
“Mara! Help me!” He cried, his body dangling in the air. He looked up, wishing he hadn’t, as he saw the speared crystals looming just a few feet above him. He thrashed his body around, his arms and legs flailing for something to grab onto.
Nothing.
Give...it...back...
Cody’s head swiveled side to side as the crystals neared.
The Stone..! Give...it...back...
Cody glanced back at the crystals, which were only mere inches from his head.
NOW!
The piercing voice shrieked in his head. In desperation, Cody fumbled with the rock. He grabbed it and flung it out of his pocket as his head came centimeters from impaling him.
He stopped, feeling a particular crystal touch his hair. He hyperventilated, fear ragingall throughout his body as he was gently placed back on his feet.
Cody collapsed on his side, his legs suddenly weak from the experience as he squeezed his eyes shut.
Finally, he looked around, his breath catching as he saw a pair of familiar hazel eyes.
”What the hell are you, Mara?”
ns 15.158.61.12da2
