The Selection by Jason J. Nugent

Author:Jason J. Nugent [Nugent, Jason J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-03-29T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

A dank, musty smell greeted the boys as they descended into the cave. As they moved farther in, the darkness swallowed them like a craate devouring a gracer. The light grew dimmer and dimmer, the scratching grew louder and closer. Behind them, they heard the boys talking.

"Wow, look at that, Steen! It's a pit. What do you think it was that fell in? I don't see anything," Laird said.

"Maybe we should check it out. See any way down?" It was Laird again.

Eron turned towards Phelan, his face hardly recognizable in the darkness. "Think they'll see the steps?"

"I doubt it. I didn't see them until you pointed them out, and my eyes are much better than yours," Phelan said.

"How do you know they are?" Eron said. Phelan grabbed his arm, hurrying him down the last few steps.

"Come on, before they do something stupid," Phelan said. Eron was lost in the darkness. He had no idea how big or small the cave was. The scratching was much clearer than before, though it didn't sound any closer.

"Go this way," Phelan said, directing Eron's arm. The boy stumbled, unsure where to place his next step.

"Hurry. Just keep going. There's nothing in our way."

"How do you know? I can't see a thing!"

"I told you, my eyes are better than yours. I wasn't just bragging. My people have enhanced vision. A perk of being blue, I guess. I can see for several meters in pitch black just like it was daylight. I can't see what's making that noise, though, and that worries me. Now, come on. It goes this way." Phelan led them deeper into the cave. The voices of the boys faded the farther they went.

"Maybe we can just wait here until they're gone," Eron said.

"We can, but whatever is making that sound isn't going away. I'd rather not wait for whatever it is to attack us."

Eron shuffled his feet, then followed Phelan.

The scratching quickened.

"What is that?" Eron said.

"I see it now! Oh, no! Hurry, Eron! Run!" Phelan said. He grabbed Eron's arm and pulled him forward.

The boys ran in darkness. Because of his enhanced vision, Phelan avoided protrusions from the walls, but Eron smacked into roots and other formations repeatedly, slowing their progress. Behind them, the scratching became more furious.

"I can't keep up," Eron said.

"Yes, you can. You have to. They're getting closer!"

Eron slowed to a walk. Ankle, ribs, and his legs were all burning. "I need to stop. I can't run anymore."

Phelan ran back to Eron, urging him forward. "Come on, you can do this. I think there's a way out up ahead."

"I can't! I'm too tired. My body hurts all over."

"Would you rather be dead? Get moving!" Phelan said.

Eron's body cried in pain with every movement.

"Phelan, can't we just wait? I don't think those guys are coming down here."

"Eron, quit stalling! We have to move, or did you forget about that thing? "

Phelan took a few steps towards the back of the cave, but Eron wouldn't budge.

"I'm done. I'm not going. You can go ahead, but I'm staying put.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.