Author:
Jeffrey / Angelina
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Date Posted: 14:12:16 12/22/02 Sun
What finally brought Jeff back to the world of the waking was the steady drip of cold water onto his toes. He rose to consciousness bit by bit, noticing first the drip, then the nearly overpowering scent of damp earth, and then the slight, regular vibrations on either side of his chest. He awoke fully without opening his eyes, sniffing curiously at the heavy air and trying to recall the strange dream he had been having.
He opened his eyes to look up, seeing the curved earthen ceiling of a shallow cave. Down at his feet was the entrance, and he could see the earliest rays of sunshine flooding the damp air. The woods seemed to glow, golden and green, and the sunlight held the promise of a fine warm day.
And suddenly, in a rush that froze his heart more bitterly than the cold drip froze his feet, the memory of the previous evening flooded his mind. Squeezing his eyes shut again, he trembled slightly and gulped hard, heart pounding in his chest. It was then that he fully noticed the slight, rhythmic vibrations again, accompanied by the awareness of being comfortably warm despite the chill in the air from the rain.
Simultaneously, he turned his head to the right and his eyes shot open again. He beheld, from very close range, the soft expanse of Alexis's pale cheek, the shining flow of her hair, and was even able to observe the tracery of veins in the thin skin of her dusky eyelids. Slowly, carefully, he wrenched his eyes from her and turned his head to the left, observing the gaunt, freckled countenance of Angelina, framed by the glowing tumble of her red hair. And he realized that the vibrations were their heartbeats.
Conflicting arguments instantly reared up in his mind as he stared feverishly at the roof of the cave.
You're a prisoner! one side screamed frantically. They'll take you back to the demons! RUN!
Wait, wait, the other side said, shaky but logical. These two aren't the demons. They have no alliegence to them; why would they take you back?
Alexis helped the demon! the first side shrieked. And she tried to bring you back last night! Why...
Maybe they rescued you, the second side whispered, and the first fell silent. Maybe they're protecting you from the demons. Maybe they got you away; maybe they'll help you get back to the city.
The two opposing arguments held a brief but furious battle in Jeff's mind, and the boy broke into a nervous sweat as indecision threatened to take over.
At least ASK them! the second, softer voice cried in desperation.
Jeff nodded, brows lowering.
~ ~ ~
The sudden movement beside her startled Angelina from her slumber. She opened her eyes to see the boy glowering at the roof of the cave, his grey eyes a storm of mixed emotions. Across his chest, she saw the pale g.irl, Alexis, open her eyes, as well. They locked gazes for a moment, gaining confidence from each other, and then Angie sat up with a stretch and a yawn, rubbing her eyes with grubby, long-finge.red hands.
"Hey, it's cleared up!" she said brightly, jerking a thumb at the woods. "'S about time you woke up; we were worried you'd hurt your head or something."
Jeff sat up slowly, moving away from both of them till his back was firmly against the wall of the cave. Angie saw the conflict smouldering in his eyes, and glanced quickly at Alexis.
::What do we do?:: she asked. ::He looks ready to explode!::
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