Do You Believe In Magic? - Chapter 17

Chapter 17

Aron's POV

Where am I? I ache from the top of my head to the bottom of my flat feet. I can't see anything. Over there on the left feels like a breeze. I think I'll head in that direction or should I? You know what they tell you in any scary movie, "Don't go into the dark cave!". But did I listen? Noooooo. I am a man of my word and I said I would protect Sable with my life and I intend to do just that. I think that there's something in here that I have to find and destroy. It must be one of the many demons on the earth. Someday there will be nothing left, not a demon in sight. I can only pray I live to see that day.

Willy's POV

Where have I been? Wherevever it is I don't want to keep going there. I need to catch my breath. I can't fall apart now when I'm the only one who seems to be conscious and mobile. What to do, what to do?

Aron is still out cold but he keeps twitching and moaning. I can't do anything for either him or Sable so I might as well check to see if everything is okay with the wolves. Brenin seems to be resting much easier. He's awake now and trying to move but it's too painful for him. "It's okay Bren. Good boy, just lay there and heal. You're strong and it shouldn't take long for you to be back to yourself again. I know Maebh, he will get better and then we will be able to figure out what we're going to do. It might be up to you and I who have to take on the demons. How do you feel about that?" She's howling at me so I guess she doesn't like it any better than I do. The pups are so quiet, it's almost unnatural. They should be running around and playing with each other but they just sit and look at their father. He has to get better soon so that we can go back to normal, whatever that is.

Aron's POV

Well as long as I'm here (whereever here is) I may as well explore. I approach the entrance with a lot of trepidation. I will admit it, I'm scared but don't tell Willy, he'd never let me live it down. Where did the flashlight come from that's in my hand? This is the weirdest dream I've ever had. Here we go. I'll just go really slowly and watch for anything strange. Keep your eyes open Aron, you have to be really vigilant now. No falling down on the job.

The entrance to the cave leads me to a large open space like a big room. There are long tendrils hanging from the ceiling and they don't look like any stalactite that I've ever seen. They are thinner and look like long drops of paint that are gently falling down. I want to grab a cloth and wipe up the drips. I wonder what they are? It almost looks like they are growing up instead of down. When I look at the ceiling it almost looks like the paint drip is falling up into a can of paint and causing ripples to flow.

There are four tunnels going off of this space and I'm going to have to guess which one would be the best one to go down. Eenie, meenie, miney, moe. Okay, the right one it is. I'm going to be talking to myself a lot today I can tell. I don't know if it will calm me down any but at least I won't feel so alone when I hear my voice. As long as I don't start answering myself I'll be okay.

'Let's turn the flashlight on and head down that tunnel. I wish I wasn't alone. I hate enclosed spaces (damn my claustrophobia). I don't know if I'm going to be able to do this. I wish I had someone with me but what the heck. I can do it, I know I can. Keep talking to yourself, Aron, maybe that will keep you sane.'

I keep walking down the right hand tunnel and it is really long. I can't see the end even with the light. How long could it possibly be? Oh no, another decision to make. This tunnel leads into two more. Left one it is. Where does this all lead? It's so quiet in here, spoke to soon. Something is moving up ahead. What can it be? It's getting louder so I'd better be quiet and walk more carefully. Just up ahead, getting closer, what is it? It almost sounds like something is being dragged. Better turn the flashlight off now. I have to creep now, careful, careful. I can see around the corner now but it's dark and I can't turn my flashlight back on in case it sees me. Whatever it is.

My eyes are getting used to the dark and I'm starting to make out shapes. It's another open space and I can see something moving over in the right corner. Wait, there are two shapes. One is lying on the ground and the other is standing over them. What are they? The one standing is a demon, it has to be, it is far too ugly to be human. Is that a person it's standing over or what? Oh my Goddess, it can't be? How did they get here and how do I help them?