"It's nice to meet you Ray, I watched you on the plane. You're quite skilled, glad you're on our side."
"Haha, you flatter me Dr., the pleasure is all mine. I've read your file, you're quite the talent. I expect big things from you, and will do what I can to keep you safe so you can change this world for the better."
"Thank you. I know I'm safe in your hands so I'll try not to worry you too much."
He reached out his hand, I gave a strong handshake in return. We both showed confidence in not only one another but in each other, a small bubble of trust was created in that moment.
"Indeed. Whenever you're ready, we'll head out."
"After you."
He smiled then gestured for another young lady to follow close beside us. I followed close behind him as we were led into the forest by Chandler.
At some point Sofia had caught up to me; at the front of the group:
"Hey, kinda stuffy being stuck between these guys, huh."
"Couldn't agree more, but it's necessary, I guess."
From time to time, I had to look down to make sure I didn't trip on a branch or root of the trees.
"So big guy at the front, your body guard, you figure out anything about him?"
"Yeah, apparently he was personally hired from your company to protect and watch over me. Said he's looked over my file and expects big things from me, you know the usual creepy stuff."
"Really? He works for us? That's weird I've never seen him before."
She stumbled over a branch, I reached out to grab her before she fell. She put her hand up and onto my shoulder instead; almost pulling me down with her.
"I'm good."
"Gee thanks, I'm fine too."
"You're welcome. Anyway we should keep an eye on him just incase, best case scenario, my sister hired him personally. Worst case, he killed someone and took their place."
I stopped for a moment and looked at her, she just gave a little smile and kept moving.
"Thanks for that, it's not like he doesn't have plenty of opportunities to kill me, when he's standing right next to me!!"
"You'll be fine, you're not THAT important."
She laughed as she continued ahead, I sped up a little to catch back up.
As I was catching back up to her, I noticed something move in the corner of my eye. With out thinking I reached into my pocket pulling out a small knife, I aimed it right where I saw the shadow, but my arm was grabbed stopping the motion.
"You have good instincts, I'm surprised. I only came back here to check on you, you've been lagging behind a bit."
Ray slowly loosened his grip on my forearm, as I slowly lowered it. I wasn't sure how he'd gotten here without me noticing, but he's definitely well trained.
(Damn he's fast, he could've easily killed me, and no one would've noticed till it was over.)
"Thanks for the compliment, I was talking to Sofia is all. She said something that caught my attention so I had to stop and think about it. You're a sneaky one, might have to keep my eye on you."
"Again you flatter me. Lets move towards the front where I can keep you safest..., if you don't mind of course."
"Not at all."
As we walked towards the front, we passed by Sofia. When we passed I widened my eyes; silently asking if she'd seen what happened. She looked away and scrunched her lips; letting me know she saw it and to be careful.
I smiled to myself as I shook my head, once we reached the front I could see our journey through the forest had finally reached it's end.
Everyone paused as we came to an opening in the forest, in front of us was an open field filled with beautiful purple flowers.
There were no animals to be seen, and the more I thought about it the more I realized, we hadn't seen or heard any animals in the forest leading up to this point.
It seemed weird to have such a place with no animals populating it, the place seemed untouched by humans, and was miles away from the nearest populated area; it just didn't make since.
After a few short moments of taking in the beautiful site, Chandler led the group through the field towards what seemed to be a small mountain.
I stayed in my spot surveying the area, as everyone walked past me into the field. Sofia patted my back as she walked past me, a smile covered her face as she followed the others.
The only one's who hadn't moved were Ray and the other woman whom was assigned to me.
"Something wrong Dr. ?"
I continued to look around not saying a word, something was off, yet I couldn't figure out why or how. Chandler had been here before, so it must be safe right. Then why was there no life for miles.
"There are no animals. This whole time, not a single chirp, or scatter as we walked past... Nothing."
"I noticed that as well. Should we turn back then, it's your call."
I stood there in silence, I was trying to come up with an explanation...., anything to explain the reasoning.
"No...., we keep moving. But keep an eye out for anything weird."
"Understood."
He nodded towards the woman, she nodded back; acknowledging the order. She pulled out her sidearm and held it out to me.
"Thanks, but I brought my own. I knew this trip wouldn't be without its risks, but I appreciate the gesture."
I reached into my bag and grabbed my own, the woman simply nodded and pulled out a second. Ray smirked, then proceeded forward.
"Stick close to us, and watch our backs as well if need be."
I smirked as I walked out behind him.
The moment I walked into the clearing I froze, I was hit with this sudden chill the covered me in goosebumps. They both noticed my sudden shift and instantly began searching for a threat.
(I...., can see my breath. But how, it was just hot a minute ago.)
The forest we had just come out of was cool, because it blocked out the sun. Yet as soon as I had stepped back out I should have been hit with a wave of heat, and yet here I was on the verge of shivering.
Ray looked at me from the corner of his eye, he was watching my expressions as he tried to keep watch.
I reached into my bag to grab my jacket, the action seemed to confuse him. He noticed my shaking hands, as I grabbed it.
To him it was hot out, the world was normal.... Nothing changed. Yet for me it was so cold I could see my own breath, my hands shivered, my lips felt dry and icy.
There was a moment when I blinked and the world would change right before my eyes. The sky would be dark, the sun black and night. The field would be covered in this thick fog...., there was no one here but me.
It lasted only a second but it chilled my bones. That moment was all it took to let me know one thing...., I'm getting close.
"What's wro-"
"Keep moving."
I covered myself and walked past him without looking back. They both followed close behind, still keeping an eye out for anything strange.
We eventually caught up to the others, they were standing in front of the cave. Chandler was standing a few meters from the entrance showing them where the sword and shield were found.
After he showed the lever to the cave, upon pressing it the ground shook as the entrance opened to us. Walking up to the entrance I stood by Sofia whom was studying the mechanism.
"You sick or something, it's little too hot for a jacket. I mean unless you think it'll be cold in there."
"I'm fine. Just being prepared is all."
"Right. Thinking about it, it really might be cold in there. I mean, it is a cave after all.
Anyway, how do think they set this up. I mean the cave looks untouched from here, so how would they have had the knowledge to make a hidden lever all the way over there, that could open the door all the way over here."
"Advanced technology remember. Lost knowledge, we're the ones behind, not them."
"Right, forgot. That would also explain the weird symbols on the lever. Runes I would think."
"Symbols?"
"Yeah, look."
She pointed towards the lever, it was old and covered in moss. But there were a few small symbols that could be seen under moss.
I knelt down and rubbed off the moss to take a closer look, looking at them there were indeed strange. There weren't anything I'd seen before, I took my journal out and tried to draw a few to examine later.
Looking back up to draw another one, I caught a cold shiver through my spine. I felt I was being watched, I was surrounded by people, but this felt.... unnatural.
I immediately stood up and turned around, the world around me had gone dark again. My hair stood on end as I peered through the fog, there was nothing...., no one. I was alone, at least I thought I was.
My eyes dilated, and I could see it. Someone was watching me.... Through the thick fog there was a dark figure, standing motionless under the pale moonlight.