The Eye | TWIN: Bloodless Trek
Haggard and barely able to stand, the couple followed the old man. He claimed to be a caretaker of the tunnels. Caretaker of what? They saw nothing but rock and...more rock. Sylla kept her guard up, not trusting the blatantly friendly face. Not that it mattered. She was at this man's mercy - and hated it.
"Is the Eye ready?" She whispered to Serje. "Can you give it to me?"
Serje pierced his lips. "Are you sure, love? You haven't been able to handle it before."
"I'm weak," she hissed. "And I don't trust this old fool."
Serje patted her arm as they walked interlocked. "I can also protect us sometimes, love. You don't have to worry this time."
"They love each other so much..." Tyke sniffled.
Serje's refusal to hand over the Eye only made Sylla worry more. Just as she was about to retort, the old man stopped. "We are here."
The spot they stood looked identical to every other they passed - moist, dark, and dank. The whole situation was so peculiar that if the couple weren't in such dire straits they would never have accepted to follow the strange man.
"Here?" Serje asked, incredulous.
"You are still frightened, I see." He put his palm on the cave wall. A loud rumbling soon followed that nearly knocked the pair to the ground. "I understand, child. But like I said - you are safe here."
The cave wall soon vanished behind another, revealing lights, warmth, and revelry. People could be seen and heard contained within a vast cavern. It was so vast that Sylla and Serje had to stand at the entrance in awe. Their jaws lax as they gazed upon its enormity.
"This is incredible," Serje said aghast, "there are no records of this..."
"With good reason." The mustached old man clapped his shoulder. "Come."
So they did.
"And so we must pause!" I said clapping my knees.
"No!" The boys shouted in unison.
"That's not fair!" Tyke declared.
"Yeah! You said we would be here all day!" Myke punched the air as if in protest.
I chuckled at their enthusiasm. With sudden dread, I realized I was enjoying the little troublemakers' company. The years have truly made me soft.
One thing I have to acknowledge is they are listening to the story enraptured. I haven't had such a keen audience in years. Oh, and what a story it is! I cannot wait to get to the fun bits. Yes, this wasn't such a bad idea after all.
Wasn't the purpose of a library to share knowledge? I looked at the stacked shelves of books and felt a slight pang in my chest. If only there was a way to transmit that knowledge into the hearts and minds of all people. I then looked at the boys. Well, aren't I doing that just now? What better role models for the future generation than the fearsome Sytlla and the prudent Serje?
I raised a finger to halt the childish protest. "Boys. I did promise to finish the story. But what else did I promise?" They looked at me, sorrowful and confused. How could they forget? Were they that enamored with the tale? "Muffins!"
Their expressions changed faster than a morning's tide. The tears vanished faster than I thought possible as they started jumping around the study.
"Careful you don't knock something over!" I yelled but to no avail.
The devils went straight to the little kitchen area behind the stairs. I could hear the pounding on the table before I even reached the room. Ah, youth.
They were excited with good reason - I made the best muffins in the village. The hot pastries were soon out of the oven and into the kids' mouths. I took one for posterity. Just one. I need to look after my figure, you understand. I always give the rest away to the nearby orphanage.
"Sir?" Myka prodded, his mouth half full. "Why did Serje keep the Eye?"
"Ahh, and astute question. One that I won't reveal until the time is right."
Myke looked annoyed but kept stuffing his face.
"I bet it has something to do with love," Tyke added.
"What does that mean?" Myke scoffed.
"Pops told me this morning that Sylla's and Serje's love is their greatest strength!" Tyke announced proudly. "Serje doesn't want the awesome power of the Eye to harm Sylla."
"You don't even know what the Eye does." Myka went back to eating his muffin.
"Well, Tyke. I won't spoil the story. But your father was right. Their love and trust in one another was their greatest advantage."
"See?" Tyke smirked and Myke, who in turn shrugged.
"Sir? Can we continue with the story here?" Myke asked with the most polite expression I'd seen. Little weasel.
"Yeah!" Tyke agreed, pieces of muffin escaping his mouth.
I shrugged. "We will return to the study soon, however. My back cannot stand sitting on these chairs for too long."
They cheered and tried recollecting where we were.
The cavern was unlike anything the duo had ever seen. And the people around them, as white as snow, were also very peculiar to them. As Serje and Sylla were to the people.
Neither knew how crucial the other were to their survival.
🔴 Read the TWIN Anthology; a collection of unrelated stories with the same cast of characters.
🔵 Obligatory shout-out to the 🍕PIZZA🍕 gang, 🤙 gang. 🤙
Cover image source.
I hope you are having a fantastic day! And if not, don't threat! The sun always rises.