"Um..." Ashley stammered, clearly not expecting that for an answer. "Why can't you see them? They're right there!" She pointed dramatically towards the corner. When I just gave her a stupified look, she rolled her eyes and dragged me across the room.
"Right here," she said, stomping her foot onto the first invisible step.
"Um, Ash? What happens when I say I still don't see them?" I say, staring at her levitating designer boot.
"Then change your eyes. Maybe only supernatural beings can see," she says, as calmly and matter-of-factly as if we weren't standing in the epitome of all thing bad. I obey.
"Ash, I still can't see a single step."
"Fine. Close your eyes; I'll show you. Then just hold my hand and I'll lead you," Ashley demands. Once again I submit to her commands.
I feel her take my hand, then start forward. "Okay, first step," she says. I raise my left foot and set it down, stumbling when I don't make contact with something.
"Hey, soo not funny," I pout. "This isn't the right place to mess around, Ash. You of all people should know that." I open my eyes to glare and see her her literally floating a foot ahead of me.
"I wasn't," she frowns. "This could be a serious problem."
Suddenly a pain like like a dagger stabs through my temples. I reel, grabbing my head and collapsing to the ground. Vaguely I hear Ashley's concerned voice, but I can't make out what she's saying. Bright spots of color sparkle across my vision and I squeeze my eyes shut. A brief image appears.
Aislin? She nods. What the heck is going on? A faint flash of fear sparkles in her eyes.
Help me. She begs, then reached out feebly and I swear I feel her fingers brush my eyes. Then she's gone.
"Caia! Caia!" I hear Ashley screaming, her fingers wrapped tightly around my shoulders, shaking me.
"Ow," I groan, wincing. "Can you keep it down?"
"Oh my gosh, Caia! Don't ever do that again!" She scolds me, punching my shoulder. "You scared the crap out of me."
Rubbing my shoulder, I sit up. "It's not my fault. And you didn't need to hit me so hard," I complain.
"Well since you're obviously fine," Ashley scowls, tossing her long blonde hair over her shoulder, "we need to figure out how to get up these stairs."
"Oh, you mean THOSE stairs?" I say, walking past her stupified figure and straight up the previously invisible staircase. "Like this," I say, just to get on her nerves.
Her mouth tries to form words, but then she gives up and shakes her head, walking up after me. "I'm not even gonna ask," she mutters as she steps into the lead.
She takes a tentative step forward, a shudder running through her. I remember this place. Caia, I seriously don't think I can. Even with you here.
Relax, you'll be fine. We have to get Aislin, remember. Do this for her.
Nodding determinedly, she pushes forwards. For Aislin.
Slowly we creep down the hall, out feet softly brushing against the tile floor. Walking falls into a rhythm, turn left here, a right here, pass some old, etched doors there, repeat. Finally, after an extremely long time, Ash stops.
See that door? She says, pointing at a intricately carved door with a large dragon curled around little swirls etched into it's ancient wood.
YOU ARE READING
Running from Shadows (In progress)
Teen FictionCaia, lone survivor of her kind, struggles to stay away from the Society of Shadows, who seem desparately bent towards killing her. As she and her beloved friend, Ashley, flee from her home, they find a surprise for both of them.
