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The sky at night is like a dark pit, it goes on forever and ever, yet every so often a random star is still able to illuminate its darkness. I've always thought of the world to be somewhat of the same. Most people aren't able to carry a shining attitude or smile everywhere they go, so they fill the void. A menial job, to simply exist without the constraints of expectations. To many that is a pleasurable lifetime, most do not wish to be the star in their own sky as it's easier to simply float along someone else's. - January 10th, 20XX
"Dinner is ready!" My mom calls from the downstairs kitchen. I close my journal and slip it back into my desk drawer before heading downstairs. Any conversation I have with my family is brief, in their eyes, I usually do not have much to add to a conversation. My mother and father are very intellectually oriented, so when I made it known that I wished to pursue the liberal arts, it was like they made sure I was no longer a part of their conversation. My poetic view of life simply did not fit with their geometric lines.
I hop down the last two steps and enter the kitchen a few paces behind my dad. My mom and dad usually cooked together as it made it faster and easier to cook for three very picky kids. Plates with food were set out for us to choose from, very obviously catered to my two older siblings whose pallets somehow agreed with the most bland food choices known to man. My two older siblings entered the kitchen as well, Carmen and Aleph, they were the favored ones of the three of us. Carmen was fascinated with chemistry and all different types of math, and Aleph was practically the math version of a history buff. They followed in my parent's footsteps to a tee, they played their roles so well that I sometimes wondered if they truly meant what they said. We each took our respective turns portioning a good amount of food onto our plates and sat down.
Dinner was a monotonous activity for me, as I usually just sat and listened to my family speak about their day. The topic of my own day was not touched upon, the idea was simply preposterous. I ate the warm meal and listened, and from years of merely listening, I listened well. My family may not have included me much but I was desperate to be a part of their lives, so I listened to their every word. Hoping that one day, after listening to the stories of how Carolyn at work was so annoying, I hoped I would be accepted again. My ability to listen to their stories usually began to dampen by the end of the meal though.
After we had finished dinner we would each bring our plates to the kitchen, then someone was assigned dishes duty. Tonight was dad's night so instead, he took our respective dishes to the sink to wash them and start the dishwasher. Dinner was finished for me after that simple action. I quietly excused myself from the table and made my way back up to my bedroom, located at the end of the hallway on the second floor.
I softly close my door behind me and pad over to my bed. I pull back the sheets on my bed and lay down on the soft cotton. When we first moved into this home I made sure to make my bedroom as comfortable as possible. My mom had already begun to separate herself from me so I just desperately needed a place to have all to myself.
I began to depend on myself and through that, I was able to figure out more things that I enjoyed. For example, I like exploring, the feeling of danger is a nice thrill after a boring day at school. I had tried to explore just about every inch of this town and I believe I've succeeded. I sit up on my bed when I hear my brother's door close. He would probably begin to study for a test. My sister was already asleep, I knew that for sure because she was the only one in this house with a normal sleep schedule.
I open my closet and grab one of my old black hoodies. I slip it over my head and grab a few necessary things for my excursion, like my phone and house keys. I put my phone in my back pocket and my keys in the big hoodie pocket and click open my bedroom window. I push up the squeaky wooden frame and kick one leg out of the window.
I dropped down from my second-story bedroom, slowly standing up, my knees cracking from the uncomfortable impact. It was nearly midnight at this point, the sun had long since retired from the sky, allowing the cool light of the moon to cover the streets. I pat my back pocket, checking for my phone. My phone was nowhere to be found, which caused a quick burst of panic, and subsequently, a quick look up into my window showed that it had slipped out of my pocket and onto the window sill. I decided to just leave it and continue on my nighttime adventure. My home key was thankfully safe in my hoodie pocket.
I take the sidewalk out of my small town, following the same walking trail I usually do. Just outside of town there was a large abandoned city, it used to be the main part of town but a fire broke out one day and nothing could be salvaged. It was never torn down either which is what made it such a peculiar place. Not many had explored it and most forgot it was even there, as the dense trees covered up its low skyline. As soon as the ground under my feet becomes more debris than dirt I know I'm heading in the right direction. I had tried to clean up the outskirts of the city multiple times but it always seemed to come back so eventually, I just gave up.
I grab onto the wire fence and pull my body over it, my hoodie nearly getting caught on one of the loose wires. I drop down on the other side of the fence and look towards the city. I found this abandoned place just a few days after we had moved here. My immediate instinct was to ask the school librarian about the topic, as she was the only teacher I was comfortable talking to at the time, she treated it as a hush-hush subject and I soon decided to just let it go. Any time I attempted to bring up the existence of the city to some of the older residents I was once again brushed off.
I had never found any evidence of something nefarious happening in the city, so it wasn't like it should have been a secret subject. Which in a way made it all the more curious. I made sure to tread carefully through the city. One time some glass was able to cut cleanly through the sole of my shoe, I couldn't walk normally for weeks because the cut just would not heal. I eventually came to a stop, deciding to just lay in the middle of a street, because I can.
The sky was always the clearest out here, light pollution didn't take up the sky and clouds almost always seemed nonexistent. I’ve been able to find many constellations during my time here. Heading back into town always made me a little sad because I could no longer see the stars. My eyes would always wander up into the sky just to be met with disappointment when I could no longer see the twinkly light of night. The sound of glass breaking puts me on edge and I jolt up from my lying position. I look around and cautiously stand up. The simple sound ruins the tranquil environment.
"You know not many choose to visit this city anymore." I whip around to find the source of the voice. "When it was first abandoned many visited, curious minds, but now…I guess it is truly abandoned."
"Who are you?" Adrenaline kicks in as I think of an easy solution to this situation.
“Not someone you need to worry about in this time and place…I simply have a proposition for you.” Fear overtakes any sense of curiosity I could have from the person's words.
“What kind of proposition?” While fear still courses through my veins my heart scums to curiosity, and the question oozes out of my mouth. The saying curiosity killed the cat seemed ever true at this moment.
“Underneath this city is a forgotten land, filled with life that must be saved, but to save them you must defeat the evil that corrupts them." Confusion is the first emotion to take my senses by storm before fear once again reminds me of the gravity of this situation.
“How do I know you're not lying?” I must remain level-headed, I try to tell myself. Ask good questions, lower their guard, and never look away.
“You cannot, trust is essential in this situation, although I understand if you are lacking in that category.'' A soft laugh escapes me and I take a step back trying to further myself from the person.
“So why me?” I question, if what they were saying was the truth, why me? Why a 16-year-old high school student who can barely lift 60 pounds?
“I have been watching you for quite some time now, watching your adventures in this city and your mundane life outside of it.” Fear creeps up my spine, taking hold as I listen to their words. “You live a sad life, do you not? You could become a hero through this journey, live a grand life, better than anything you could have here.”
Their words came like a challenge, I was aware my life was bad, just about everyone who knew me was aware. No one dared say it to my face though, not until this moment. The words hung in my mind, questioning all the hope I had ever dared to dream. The dream that I would prove my parents wrong by just being a good kid, growing up, writing books, painting, not living up to their expectations, but just living and succeeding. If I had to save a whole civilization to prove that I was good enough for them then I would fail at the only dream I had ever truly believed in.
“No.” The words stumbled out of my mouth, not even sure of their own sincerity.
"You would be helping hundreds of people, you would live as a hero, it would surely be better than the life you live here-" I cut them off, their words making my stomach drop further because I knew deep down they were right.
"No! I've had to depend on myself for so long, I have faith in my life here even if you don't believe in it. I'll live an absolutely amazing life without having to help your sketchy- stupid city thing!" I take a sharp breath after finishing my long-winded rant, and glare in the general direction of the voice.
"Your opinions will change." I huff, now annoyed that they wouldn't take my words seriously. Neither could I but I had long since forced myself to believe in lies. I spin around on my heel and begin heading back to the fence surrounding the city. “My offer will always be open,” I tune out the voice out of my own stubbornness and shove my hands into the warm pocket of my hoodie. My home key reminding me of where I must return.
**********
“You look like you've been hit by a truck, what happened?” I just wave off Julias' comment and let my head drop onto the table of my first-period class. After everything that had happened with that weird person, I had the hardest time falling asleep. My mind felt like it was running a hundred miles per hour and I just could not sleep.
“Good morning Julias,” I mutter out, Harper smacks Julias on the shoulder and he whispers out a quiet ‘what?’ like he doesn't quite understand the reason behind Harper's actions. Harper and Julias were my two best friends, they were the first to welcome me to this school when I first moved here. I’m happy I have them both, they got me through a rough move and a major change in my life.
“Did something happen with your family again?” Harper asks, she was the quieter one out of the three of us which also seemed to make her the most observant. She’s always careful with her words, which makes her seem quite eloquent even when she's not meaning to. She has some of the same passions as me, especially with art, we often bounce ideas off of each other.
“This’ll be a shocker, no, nothing happened. I just had a rough night.” I say, my voice laced with exasperation. Harper pats my back caringly, if she noticed how I lied then she simply chose not to say anything, which I greatly appreciate.
“I also have some bad news to share Edith,” I pull my head up from the table and lean into the palm of my hand. “I don't think I'll be able to host the hangout tonight anymore. I have to babysit my younger brother tonight for my parents.”
“Aw, are you kidding? We’ve had everything planned out for so long though!” Julias whines, making Harper sigh and drawing a quiet laugh out of me. Julias was the least observant person known to man, nor was he very careful with his words, if he thought something he also made sure to say it.
“I know, I know, I tried to argue them out of it but- well you both know how stubborn they are.” I nod and lay my head back down, this was a bad start to the day. I was hoping for something to take my mind off of the events of the prior night. Anything to get that person's words out of my head.
“Hopefully we can plan it for some other time,” I say quietly as class begins. Harper and Julias nod in agreement before turning their attention to the front of the classroom.
My prior comment about the day turned out to be true, it just kept getting worse. Class was as to be expected but somehow even more unpleasant than usual. Every class had some sort of issue, whether it be the fact that the clock was broken or a new horrible seating chart. None were big things, but after enough small things, everything became a bigger issue. By the time lunch came around I was ready to just skip the next class and go home, destress for the afternoon or something. Then Harper and Julias both had to leave for clubs at lunch, and I was left alone. I didn't become annoyed with them or anything like that, it was just simply my last straw. I could have gone and hung out with some of my old friends but my day was too far gone for anything to be fixed properly. So I headed home, knowing I would probably regret it later (as I always seemed to regret my impulse decisions).
I pace my breathing with the sound of my footsteps on the pavement. I already have an idea of what I'll do with the rest of my day. For some reason my head was set on returning to that city, maybe that person was the cause of all of my misfortune, maybe they were just that petty.
I continue with my decision to stop by my home though, no one was home so I would be thankfully undisturbed. My walk home was a calm one, shocking for the fact that lunch rush should have been, well rushing, around this time. I step up onto the front porch and grab my home key to step inside. I close the unlocked door behind me and head upstairs to my room. It might take me a bit to find whoever that person was again, so my idea was to grab a nice jacket for the chilly weather and a few snacks. I set down my school back near the end of my bed and grab one of my older bookbags, one that wasn't falling apart just yet. I pull a hoodie on and shove a different one into my bag, just in case this one gets dirty.
This time, instead of making the same mistake of the prior night, I put my phone into the book bag, alongside a portable charger. I could only ever seem to think ahead during the day, at least it could aid me now. I carry the book bag downstairs and begin my scavenge through the pantry. I grab quite a few granola bars, not daring to check the expiration date, and dump them into the larger pocket in my bag. I grab my brother’s obnoxiously large water bottle and begin to fill it up, adding a few ice cubes as well. Thankfully he stopped using this a while back, so it was open for the taking. I stash a few more snacks in my bag before closing up the bottle and sliding it into the side pocket. I pull the bookbag back onto my shoulders and head back to the entryway. I make sure to grab my home key before leaving and I lock the door back, almost like I was never there.
My journey to the city was an easy one, per usual, although it had been a bit since I had been here during the daytime. The woods somehow managed to feel even eerier during the day, the deep shadows of the soon-to-be-setting sun left the environment in a gloomy state. I looked up into the thick foliage of the trees above me as I walked, knowing the path well enough to not nearly fall on my face every ten seconds. The sun sets rapidly, reminding me of the chill that would soon settle in from the autumn nights. I put some haste in my step as soon as I start getting nearer, my main objective being to just see the person's face from yesterday and I couldn't do that during dusk. I see the fence in the distance and speed up to a light jog, easily boosting myself over the fence once more.
I head in the general direction of where I remembered the person. It was so late and dark that I can't even remember most of the distinct features of the area. If the person hadn't lied about watching over me then hopefully they would be the first to find me, and then maybe I could figure out their identity.
After admittedly, much trial and error, I found my way back to the original spot of our meeting. I just stood there for a moment, hoping they would appear, daylight quickly losing its war to night and shadows overtaking the messy street. They had only appeared to me when I was comfortable prior so I sat down. Once again in the middle of the road, my waiting game began. After a bit, my own stupid curiosity became more important than seeing the person's face. Their offer last night was easily refused at the time but the more I pondered on the topic the more I felt inclined to agree.
Heroes, while never exactly the happiest of people, were accepted and loved for their actions. Maybe if I were able to help these people, I could be loved, and my parents would be proud of me. Who couldn't be proud of their kid for saving a whole civilization, my reasons were selfish but they consumed me.
“Are you here to accept my offer?” My head snaps up, the shadow of a figure haunting the dim street. “Or simply to question me further?”
“Did you make my day bad, or was it simply a series of unfortunate events that led to this occurrence?” My first question was a stupid one, but I desperately wanted to ask it. Hoping if their words confirmed my suspicions that I would simply stand up and go back home. Never to return to this stupid abandoned city, and to live my life in peace.
“I discontinued my studies of you as soon as you refused, if I forced this decision upon you it would not have been fair.” Their words were concise, poking little holes into the reason desperately trying to protect my existence.
“I want proof, I want to know you're not just leading me to the slaughter.” before the darkness of night could engulf them once more they nodded. “I – I also want to know your name.” My second request was something that merely popped into my head last second, curiosity pulling through before reason could push it back down.
“I do not give out my name, I apologize. You may call me Sibyl though it is what most know me by. Follow me and I will show you the proof you seek, I hope you may choose to help us once you view our suffering.” I could no longer see the stranger but I followed the sound of their footsteps.
They seemed to know this city like the back of their hand, leading me through alleys and buildings, not just the open streets that I had come to know. The debris somehow became worse as we ventured closer to the heart of the city. Buildings showing scars of fire, collapsing onto one another as if hoping to save themselves. I had never seen the actual burned part of the city, I somehow always ended up going in a circle. My lack of knowledge of my surroundings also made me uncomfortable. If I became lost who would find me, how long would I be stuck wandering the eerily similar streets?
“Stop,” I took a sharp breath as I nearly walked into the stranger's back even though I knew what to call them now it still felt wrong. In my heart, I simply did not wish to know this person. My hope was that if we remained strangers I would not feel inclined to promise anything.
“Sorry,” I mumbled behind them, unknowing as to why we had stopped. I peek around Sibyl’s figure, my eyes nearly bugging out at the huge sinkhole in front of us. The buildings surrounding the gaping hole falling and barely holding on, the hole itself seemingly never-ending, a pit of darkness.
“This was our fate, to be sealed underground and left to rot.” I can hear Sibyl take a deep breath before continuing. “They were innocent, we are innocent, they do not deserve to live such a life. So I beg of you, please save them.” The stranger’s words made me question any doubts I grasped onto. Reason flying out the window, my selfish reasons reappearing alongside the new want to help those who were trapped.
“Okay—I will, albeit a little reluctantly, help you all. What must I do?” Sibyl takes a step back, their demeanor from before shifting.
“You accept the challenge to help those in need?” Sibyl asks, their voice nearly monotone as their figure turns to my own.
“I do,” Sibyl nods, resting a hand on my shoulder.
“Then I am glad, but I also must apologize. Stay safe on your adventures little one.” Their hand shoves my shoulder pushing my back into the sinkhole. I cry out for a second, desperately trying to claw my hands at anything to hold me up. There was no way I could survive this, this was the end for me, in the end, I only proved my parents right. I guess I am worthless.
My back slams onto the ground, the air immediately being knocked out of my lungs. I struggle to breathe, tears edging my eyes as I gasp for air. I try to regulate my breath as it slowly returns to my lungs. My mind goes a million miles an hour, confused about everything that just occurred.
“How am I alive?” I ask myself quietly, my breathing still coming out irregularly as I push myself up. Everything was dark so I naturally just tried to feel my way around. After what felt like hours, light eventually breached my line of sight. Maybe I had died and this was the way to the afterlife, who knew?
I push through the small crack in the wall, soft light flooding my senses. I just stood there for a moment waiting for my eyes to adjust, there was sound, voices, music, the stranger was no liar after all. I open my eyes all the way and look down. I was at the top of an underground cavern, stuck on a small ledge that wouldn't even allow me to sit let alone lay down to rest. I sigh and tighten my book bag straps, I just needed to find a way to get down and hopefully find someone who could help me. I internally create a path to get down and slowly follow my plan, carefully sliding down the curved wall to similar ledges like the first.
After nearly falling to my death multiple times I make it down to a more inhabited zone of the cavern. Thankfully the people who were here weren't paying much mind and didn't notice me falling down the wall or maybe they simply don't care. I look around, once again trying to make sense of my surroundings. If there wasn't a dark spiky ceiling to this world I would have thought I had gone to heaven. The people here had adapted, they were smart and didn't seem like they needed help in the slightest, at least not to my untrained eye. I do another good once over before deciding to continue my journey, I assimilate into the crowd, following the speed and desperately trying to find a welcoming place to go.
After far too long my legs began to throb and I became desperate, the people had once again begun to thin out and it would only be so long until they had to notice me. My eyes search wildly for some haven, and eventually, I seemed to have found one. If only the door didn't have a dark ‘closed’ sign on it. I had already stepped away from the roads though and I was in favor of not looking like an imbecile so I simply sat down beside the door. My cramping legs thanked me and I let myself relax for the first time in a bit.
“What did I get myself into,'' I murmur to myself, pulling my legs up into my chest. The gravity of my situation plowing into me like a ton of bricks. Everything that I didn't think about suddenly appeared in my mind, reason returning just to shame me for scumming to human curiosity.
“Yeah, what did you get yourself into kiddo?” My head snaps up, fearful of the voice, the person's hands raising like a police officer would ask you to do. “I’m not gonna touch ya, in fact, you can come inside if you need to. You just gotta move so I can open the door.” I realize the issue, my face flushing with embarrassment as I grab my bag and stand up to move out of the stranger's way. I was a little unsure of my footing as I stepped away, my body itching to run, stranger danger alarms going off in my head.
They open up the door, holding it open for me and giving me an expectant look. "I'm assuming you need a place to stay," My inner turmoil continued though and I didn't dare take another step. They flipped the sign on the door before looking back at me once more. "Well come on, I'll get you something to eat." My legs move before my mind can and soon enough I'm sitting on one of the barstools.
"I don't think I can afford anything," I say quietly. I was clueless about the currency down here and how it could have evolved, and if it hadn't I doubt two quarters would buy me anything.
They push a plate in front of me. "Then it's on the house, what are ya doing on this side of town anyways?" I struggle to find the words to answer their question. If I answered honestly I might just sound crazy but maybe I could get lucky and they just might help me.
"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, I guess," I look at the small plate of food in front of me.
"I'm not from here so I don't exactly know what you mean." I don't touch the food, feeling guilty about taking food for free. Especially when I had food in my bookbag, that I may or may not have forgotten about.
"You from one of the lower levels or somethin'?" I shake my head and they slowly come to stop with their cleaning. "Look kiddo I don't care where you're from but I know your parents have got to be worried sick. So just take the food and go home."
"I can't go home, at least not right now, I made a promise. A stupid one now that I think about it." I mumble the last part and the stranger leans onto the counter in front of me.
"Well, that's a special predicament." I chuckle sadly and lean my head on the counter. "Do you wanna talk about any of it?"
"Do you happen to know a Sibyl?" Even without my eyes glued to their form, I notice the change in their demeanor.
"Sibyl? As is the freaking oracle? He's a myth, he's from the surface and everyone knows he's just one of those stories to scare little kids into not questioning about the surface." I nearly scoff at their words and look up at their face. Oh- they were dead serious.
"But- wait no they're real! I met them before he shoved me down here!" The words stumbled out of my mouth before I could truly think. I didn't want my experience to just be wiped away because Sibyl was just thought to be a children's tale.
"Are you kidding me?" The stranger deadpans, almost glaring at me.
"No! No, I swear. Sibyl pushed me down here because I made a stupid decision and said I would help everyone down here or something! Gah, I should have asked more questions." I rest my head in my hands, feeling almost defeated.
"What did Sibyl say you needed to help us with?" I look up at them slightly hopeful. Their tone wasn't as friendly as before but it was a whole lot better than the monotone they had held before.
"You believe me?" I ask, hope welling up in my heart.
"I didn't say that, I was more or less proposing a hypothetical for myself. So, what did Sibyl say to you?" The hope shrivels up a bit and I sink back down into my seat.
"He said you all needed help like there was some sort of corruption that needed to be defeated. He said you were all innocent, I don't know what he meant by any of it but…I wanna help." Determination filled my last few words. I was selfish in my reasons but I also desperately wished to help these people, if they truly needed it.
"Huh…so you're not lying," the stranger pushes the plate closer to me. "Ironic you chose this place to come to first because I think I might be able to help you." I perk up at those few words.
"How? I mean I don't even know where to start." They looked down at the plate expectantly.
"Eat that plate of food then we can seriously talk, I wasn't joking when I said you looked sad." I look down at the plate, now thankful for the warm food. Granola bars would not have been very nice after everything that's happened.
"Thank you…uh, what's your name?" I grab the fork they offer to me.
"Fallon, you can call me Fallon. What's your name?" I take a big bite of the warm food, almost completely missing his question.
"Oh! Uhm Edith, it's Edith." Fallon nods and I continue to eat the food. He returns to cleaning the establishment and I slowly finish the plate of food.
"Some of the regulars should be popping in soon but we never get especially busy." Fallon drops the rag he was using into a bucket and goes back behind the counter. "Did ya like the waffles? They're my specialty, I would have added a smiley face but you seemed to be in desperate need of food." I nod and push the syrupy plate away from me.
"Yes, they were amazing…thank you." I smiled softly at the plate, bittersweetness edging at the back of my mind. My mom would never have done that, yet this person who I just met is willing to help me, make me food, and care for me.
"You okay kiddo?" I nod slowly and clasp my hands in my lap. "How about we talk about what Sibyl probably wants you to defeat? That sound good to you?"
"Yeah, he was super vague when we spoke about it, so an explanation would be nice." Fallon laughs and hops up onto the back counter.
"Well I can't give you a perfect explanation, but if Sibyl is real then I assume this is too." They lean back on their hands. "According to legend there's a serpent trapped in this cavern alongside us, it hibernates underneath us making sure that if we were to ever leave we wouldn't make it up to the surface. My theory has been that the serpent part is true, I could never believe that it held such malicious intentions though." I hum quietly and listen to their story.
"Although that's just another legend, I believe it could be true. There was previously a vacant cavern below us but it was recently closed off to any public excursions. No explanation was given but let's say the serpent has entered it for hibernation then it makes sense that it would be closed off." I nod, Fallon's theories, no matter how false they could be, were better than nothing.
"Sibyl described it as a form of corruption, so let's say the serpent does exist. Could whatever type of government you have down here utilize it for their own ambitions?" Fallon takes a second to think over the question.
"Yeah, I guess. The government has been pretty quiet lately, maybe they're planning something."
"You sure went along with that idea quickly." Fallon shrugs, simply seeing no issue or rather no reason to object.
"I agreed to help you, I never said I particularly cared in the first place though. From my first impression, I assumed you were some sad little kid, so I wanna help that sad little kid. I don't care about how this place ends up. It's never been the best and I doubt defeating whatever this corruption is will fix much." Fallon shrugs not realizing the doubt he began to instill within me.
"You're not making me feel very hopeful about this anymore." Fallon shrugs.
"I believe in ya if that's what you wanna hear." I shake my head and laugh a little.
"Thanks, Fallon." Fallon gives me a thumbs up and jumps down from the counter when it seems the breakfast rush begins.
**********
I had spent the last few days with Fallon, he had thankfully welcomed me into his home and I could not complain. We had been planning our course of action over the past few days, planning for our mistakes and hopeful miracles. In any case, I was hoping for some sort of peaceful resolution. Maybe we could leave the serpent alone, or it would clear some way up to the surface, optimism was one of the only things I could rely on. I had even begun to help Fallon at the cafe when he had work. It almost made me forget what I was here for.
I sat in the back room of the cafe, sipping on an apple juice box that Fallon had given me earlier. Today was the day we had decided to leave for the underground of the underground, and Fallon was trying to negotiate a few days off with his boss right now, hoping that if something were to go wrong at least he wouldn't be fired immediately.
I tucked my knees to my chest and looked at the dusty floor. We didn't know what we would be truly facing as we headed into this, our theories of what we would fight were just that, theories. The uncertainty of the situation left me extremely uncomfortable, especially if we were right, I didn't want someone to get hurt so I just hoped everything would go to plan.
"You look depressing." Fallon's voice rings through the small break room. I look up at them offering a half-hearted smile. I drag myself up from the floor and grab my apple juice.
"Let's do this- oh wait did you get your days off?" Fallon laughs at my quick change from topic to topic.
"I got the days, he was understanding and since I've been taking other people's shifts she gave me the rest of the week off." I clap softly and smile. "But I agree with you we should get going, let's stop by my house first though." I nod in agreement.
Our walk home was a simple one, Fallon was somehow unbothered about what we were about to attempt and I was a nervous wreck. I couldn't stop thinking about all the possibilities and outcomes. We eventually reach the small apartment Fallon rented and he stopped me before I could enter.
"Edith stop stressing, if Sibyl believed you could do this then you can do this. He's a freaking oracle for god's sake. I believe in you and I will help you in whatever way possible but you gotta believe in yourself first. Also, you're beginning to stress me out too, so just calm down." Fallon grabs my shoulders and shakes me a bit, causing me to laugh lightly. No matter how much worse the situation got, Fallon somehow always stayed level-headed. I have to admire him for that.
We head inside the house after Fallon gets me to calm down a good bit. Fallon gets changed into some more 'stealthier' clothes and I pack my book bag again. Except this time with multiple first aid kits, some food, my phone, and a knife that Fallon had lying around. I hadn't been able to find anything like a gun so I guess we'll just have to fight old school. If I somehow end up with a sword though I will be in denial.
"Alright, you ready kiddo?" Fallon asks, stepping into the kitchen as I zip up the book bag.
"As ready as I can be," I respond, pulling the book bag onto my shoulders.
"Then let's make this into a real adventure!" Fallon pats me on the head and heads toward the door. I step out the door and Fallon locks the apartment door back behind us.
"It might take us a bit before we get to the heart of the city but with how much rest you got today I'm sure it won't be all that bad." I nod and we begin our journey.
The city was bustling with people, and I noticed a sense of familiarity among most of them as Fallon and I pushed through the crowds. Fallon held tight onto my hand, politely maneuvering the two of us around many. The heart of the city was somehow simultaneously even busier yet more organized than the outskirts. We followed the crowd carefully, Fallon pulling me off to the side multiple times to hide me from someone who may recognize him.
"Okay," I didn't realize we had already made it to the City Hall, the time flew by because of just how fast we were forced to walk. "This is City Hall, in the main foyer, there is what used to be the entrance to the second cavern. It shouldn't be too hard to get into, we just have to hope our distraction is enough." Fallon shines a toothy smile and walks into the large building, I follow behind a lot less confident than he was.
Fallon does all the talking, distracting the very few people behind the counter as he asks for some personal documents to submit for a loan. I didn't realize he knew how a loan even works but I guess you should never judge a book by its cover. After a few minutes of conversation, the two women go into the back to search for the records Fallon had requested.
"Alright, that should keep them busy, come on!" I do a slight side-to-side step, not wanting to question Fallon but not quite completely on board with the idea.
"But what if they come out while we're trying to unlock the door?" I question, trying to calm my nerves.
"Edith?" Fallon says a deadpan look on his face.
"Yes?" I question looking up at Fallon.
"The files I ask for don't exist." I let out a small 'oh' sound and Fallon begins dragging me over to the entrance.
Fallon keeps watch as I pull out the lock pick kit we had found a few days ago. Neither of us knew how to pick a lock, I had just seen a video once and hoped that I could possibly brute force the lock open. Now that we were in the moment our plan seemed doomed.
I shoved the first pick into the keyhole and grabbed the second piece to attempt the daunting task of lock-picking. I shush Fallon and begin to press the second piece into the lock. There was of course resistance but I tried my best and eventually, thanks to whatever god that was watching over us, I managed to unlock the door.
"I got it!” I whisper yell excitedly. I open the door slowly, the door creaking slightly but not horribly. “Let's do this.”
Fallon nods and nudges my arm, “That's the spirit kiddo,” He steps through the doorway first and I follow soon after, closing and locking the entrance behind us. We had finally begun our descent into the cavern. We were careful as we traveled, I stayed toward the back of our small group and kept quiet. Our steps were silent as we traveled through the hallway, stopping at any sudden noise.
“Alright Edith,” Fallon whispers, standing up fully as we reach the end of the hallway. “I think we’ve reached the final staircase.” I look at the golden gilded doors in front of us, the shine of the door frightening in a way.
“Do you think we can do this?” I ask, my fear shining through in a moment where courage was what I needed.
“I think we can, together we can.” Fallon pats my head and turns back towards the golden door. “So let us begin our final battle.”
Fallon and I put our combined strength into pushing open the heavy doors, the doors swinging open and welcoming us into the eerie space. Looking down into the chasm my breath was stolen from me, a serpent was there, as white as snow, and littered around it was weapon after weapon. Fear found its place in my heart but Fallon's courage pushed through and he took the first step in, maybe it was recklessness but it worked in pushing me to fight alongside him.
We made our way down the stairs, our eyes glued to our found foe, ready to protect the people above us and to avenge those who had already failed to. I tighten the straps on my bookbag so it can’t fall off and grab the knife Fallon had given me prior.
“I have an idea,” I whisper, eyeing the left eye of the serpent. “What if I snuck up to it and gouged one of its eyes, maybe we could have a slight advantage.” Fallon nods, the two of us not daring to utter a word unless necessary. I grab the knife tight in my hands and begin to slowly make my way up to the large mass inhabiting the cavern. I try to stay out of direct eyesight and ease my way closer. My heart pounded in my chest, so loud I bet the serpent could hear it if it wasn't in some form of hibernation. I was a mere two paces away from the serpent, I readied my attack, waiting for what seemed to be the perfect moment.
I pounce forward towards the eye and sink the sharp knife into the serpent's eye, grounding myself and pulling the knife down so it damages more of the surface area of the eye. The snake flung back, nearly hitting me until I dropped to the ground to dodge it. Fallon grabs my arm and drags me back, holding one of the swords littered around the serpent.
“Surely that has to be bad luck,” I try to joke as he makes a move toward the serpent's belly.
“Grab one and fight you, idiot!” Fallon yells back daring to take another jab after the first failed. I nod quickly even though he can no longer see me, I pull myself up and begin to look for the sharpest sword I can. I eventually find one and dare to join the fight alongside Fallon.
Our attacks are mediocre at best, neither hitting particularly hard but many hits landed. Soon enough, the blood loss would have to add up and we could defeat this thing. My determination grew as did my courage and I dared to step closer trying my hand at some true swordsmanship. I gripped the sword and swing violently at the serpent's body, the hit lands, and the serpent whips around to find the source of the pain. I grabbed the blade I had dropped earlier and threw it as best as I could at the serpent's head, hoping for it to land. Who knew all those years of darts at the local theater would come in handy, the knife struck the serpent in the eye I had previously left unharmed and left the serpent blinded. I grip my sword as best as possible and swing the blade down to the body of the serpent, the blade cutting deep as I applied as much pressure as I could. The serpent let out a horrible hiss as I continued my slaughter.
I stepped away as the serpent's slithering body came to a pause, the great serpent whom I found impossible to even fathom fighting at the beginning of this journey was slain by our hands.
“Fallon! We did it, I think we really did it!” I look around for Fallon, my heart dropping into my stomach as I see their body lying off to the side. “Wait…no- please no,” I rush over, releasing the straps on my bookbag and throwing it onto the ground beside them as I collapsed onto my knees.
“Fallon you've got to wake up, please I can't lose you.” I place my head on his chest, hearing a faint heartbeat, he was alive for now. I dump out my bag and grab one of the med kits I have, and search his body for wounds praying that there was no internal bleeding. After my health assessment, I began CPR to the best of my ability. I count out loud to try and keep up with his heartbeat and soon enough a gasp escapes him.
“Fallon!” I cry out, my arms wrapping around him as tears finally breach my eyes. Fallon looks around confused, patting my back as he tries to understand the situation.
“Did we do it, Edith?” Fallon asks, his voice weak. I nod happily and continue to hug him. “Good…good—what happens now?” Fallon asks, I shrug as he finally hugs back.
“I don't care, I’m just glad you're okay…I got so scared, Fallon.” Fallon shushes me and removes my arms from around his body.
“It's okay, I’m here now so anything that did happen can probably be fixed by a doctor,” Fallon says reassuringly.
“Yeah, okay.” I take a deep breath. “Let's get out of here and see what we need to do.” Fallon nods in agreement and after helping him up we go on our way. Slowly making our journey back up the stairs.
“Did you learn anything from this?” Fallon asks quietly, their voice not quite fully returned.
“I think I learned some stuff about myself, to be honest. The longer I've resided here the more I've realized I shouldn't define myself based on my parent's idea of a successful life. I gained some valuable knowledge and I got to help some people along the way.”
“I think that means everything turned out well?” I nod happily as we reach the top of the grand staircase.
“Everything shockingly turned out-” The ground trembles beneath our feet and we both gather the courage to look back at the serpent. It wasn't in any condition to fight once more but fear of what it was still capable of doing still appeared at the back of our minds.
“Run,” Fallon says, the serpent hearing us and darting over in the general direction. “Run!” Fallon yells. I support him as best as I can, fully aware he wished for me to leave him behind but I wasn't about to leave behind the first person to truly treat me as family. We ran as fast as possible, the serpent right behind us, destroying the hallway we had traversed and causing the cavern behind it to cave in. I gripped Fallon and pulled us both off to the side, the now blind serpent whirring right by us.
“So you two succeeded I presume?” Fallon and I both jump, I recognize the voice as Sibyl, although Fallon is just clueless.
“With how that serpent is wreaking havoc, no I do not presume,” I say breathlessly. Fallon just looks wildly between the two of us.
“Those who deserve its wrath will be faced with it, those who are innocent will be saved.” Sibyl takes a step forward. “Thank you, young one, for completing your promise and letting go of your own selfishness to help those around you. Now, how about I show you two up to the surface?” Fallon's eyes light up.
“We’re leaving this place in practically disarray though.” I reason, not understanding why Sibyl would take us from this place so soon.
“And what happened the last time you didn't take my word seriously?” I nearly scoff at his words. “That serpent was the one thing blocking me from returning to my homeland. Now I will take on the duty I bestowed to you, and allow these people peace above ground.” I take a moment to fully grasp his words before turning to Fallon.
“Do you wish to go to the surface or would you rather help those-”
“Surface! I could care less what happens here, I wanna see the surface.” Fallon has a determined glint in his eye and I smile
“Well then, let's get you two back up to where the sun actually emits heat.” Sibyl holds out his hands and we each grab hold. “Close your eyes please.”
**********
The following days were something out of a storybook. The underground ended up completely collapsing, creating a sinkhole no one in town could ignore. Fallon and I were found laying by the edge and taken directly to a hospital, I had been declared missing for nearly two weeks. Harper and Julias were the first to my hospital room, going on and on about how they were so worried but eventually, they calmed down and we played go fish until my parents showed up.
My parents actually looked distraught, which shocked me in some way. I knew deep down they loved me, I didn't know it would take me going missing and nearly dying for them to show it but at least they finally showed it. Harper and Julias left for a bit which left my parents to apologize profusely and explain how sorry they were. I didn't directly forgive them but I did tell them I no longer cared, my petty streak really showed tough after their display of emotions. Fallon and I spent the next few days adjusting, especially Fallon, his eyes were not used to the sun (he was almost like a vampire).
We never saw Sibyl again, although many survivors were found in the sinkhole, and Fallon pretty much avoided them like the plague. After a while, life returned to normal or as normal as it could be. I continued in high school and Fallon got a job at a local cafe, milking the fact that he was from the underground to get a really good paycheck. He had a nice apartment and soon became friends with Harper and Julias. My parents ended up actually changing a bit although I still held fast to my grudges at some points.
Life became something I had always dreamed of and while I had despised Sibyl at some points, I grew to be thankful for the hardship he put me through. For the first time in my life, I was truly thankful for everything that could have possibly occurred, and for that, I wouldn't change a thing.