15 May 2012
"What the-?" I stared at the ceiling, blinking into the harsh light blinding one side of my face, forcing me back onto the cold, dusty ground. Everywhere on my body ached. My eyelids fluttered closed for a second, but they flew open again when a voice said sleepily, "Are you okay?" The boy lay beside me, head in arms, smiling slightly. "Erm, I-I... Where am I?" "If I told you, I'd have to kill you." His black-gold eyes gleam in the moonlight. I laughed nervously, only to wince and clutch my chest. "Woah, take it easy, now." He moved to stick another needle into my already swollen arm, but I shoved his slender hand aside weakly. "N-no," I murmured. He nodded slowly and lay down again, watching me closely. I took the opportunity to gaze around at my surroundings for the first time.
I was lying in a low-roofed cave, walls slick with moss and damp limestone. Seven figures were scattered around the cave, their chests rising and falling steadily. They all seemed to be asleep except me and the raven-haired boy I had awoken to. I tried turned my head slightly, but pain shot down my neck and spread across my collarbone. My nerves felt shredded. I squeezed my eyes shut, blinked back salty tears and tried to shift back again. The boy stared at me, head cocked as though he was amused by something. I looked away and squinted outside, the soft pitter-patter of rain soothing my pain.
The scenery beyond the cave mouth closely resembled a war zone; smouldering rocks and debris strewn across the wide path leading past the cave. The sky was a cloudy, miserable grey, and shadowy, bare trees seemed to try and claw their way towards shelter.
Suddenly, I snapped my head up to attention, eyes and ears alert in the dark. The dark haired boy seemed to have heard it too, but the others were still sleeping on. "It's probably just an owl," the boy said thickly, stifling a yawn. I gazed at him, his eyes slowly clouding over, fatigue overcoming him. "Don't worry about me," I said, "Just go to sleep." He didn't argue, resting his head on a slightly soggy patch of moss. His breathing slowed almost immediately, and he began to snore softly.
I stared at the ceiling again, listening to the stranger's breathing. As I drifted back towards unconsciousness, it hit me.
Where the hell was I?
Lights- Ch.1 • Opuss № I