20 Episode 4: The Nether (3)

The bright yet warm afternoon shone down on us as we walked down the streets heading towards our destination. There were many citizens wandering around and children playing like before. It was really fascinating to see how much everyone had adapted - just this morning, they were about to give up on hope.

I looked towards Rose. Her right hand was holding her timid head as she slowly blinked.

"Are you alright, Rose?" I asked. "You didn't get to rest much this morning."

"I'm alright..." Rose replied. "Is this a good idea though? Isn't it... dangerous to wander around?"

"It'll be fine, don't worry too much."

"Hmm... okay."

I pointed towards a bench. "Should we take a break over there?"

"Come on... let's just get there ASAP!" Sam exclaimed annoyingly.

"Now, now, Sam. Rose's not feeling too good, let's take a break."

"Tch!" Sam fiercely turned around, took out his phone, and wandered around taking some pictures.

"Let's go, Rose. Sam won't be wandering far from us."

"Mhm," she replied.

She took a seat on the bench and laid her hands on her lap. A brief moment later, she took off her bag and elegantly rested it on top as she tilted her head slightly downwards while playing with her fingers; her slight fringe gently fluttered side to side. Her smooth, coffee-coloured hair glossed in the afternoon light as the ends waved slightly in the warm wind.

She placed her hand near her chest gently touching the necklace she was wearing. The silver, small chains - of the necklace - shined in the light blinding me a little. I hovered the back of my hands blocking the reflection. Slowly, I lowered it and I saw the shape of the necklace.

Slightly curved on the right side with a straight edge on the left; it resembled the character 'R'. The area, of the shape, was engraved with a red ruby-like gem as small, silver crystals encompass the perimeter of it.

"'R'...?" I thought to myself. "'R' for Rose, probably."

But then, she tightened her grip and I could faintly see another shape behind it. It wasn't clear; I couldn't make out what it was. The necklace must have meant a lot to her.

Her gentle, bright smile caught my attention as I admired from a close distance. Her delicate, ethereal beauty sparkled, capturing my vision. I felt a warm, yet familiar, feeling as her pink, vibrant lips moved as if she was whispering to herself. The placid, adorable sight left an imprint in me as my heart skipped a beat.

I turned around and started looking for Sam. A slight heatwave passed through my head; I was burning up.

"...Ray..." I heard. "..."

"Hmm?" I turned around and looked back towards her. I couldn't make out what she was saying - it sounded like mumbles to me - so I slowly approached her, puzzled.

"...d....mber....? ...ime...."

I could only hear fragmented syllables as if her voice was intentionally muffled and reduced every now and then; It was as if there was an invisible, thick wall blocking her soft sound.

"....."

"Rose?" I reached out my hand a little but stopped.

Her eyes sparkled slightly as teardrops fell down her puffy cheeks. She was smiling and chuckling, yet she was crying.

"...I was happy back then." *BOOM*

*BOOM*

*BOOM*

A huge shockwave blew towards me, from my back, as the fine dust started to fill the sky. In the distance, people started screaming as they hurried their way towards us and away from the explosion.

Rose shot up and quickly put her bag back on.

"Sam!!!" I shouted while looking left and right.

"Oi, down here."

I looked down and Sam was standing there.

"Did I overlook him? I thought he wandered off..." I thought to myself. Sam's expression was calm as usual; he didn't seem surprised.

"Let's go, Sam!" I told him and we ran towards Rose. I took her soft hand and we headed away from the explosion.

In front of us, a few groups of soldiers - holding guns - paced past us.

I turned my head around while continue running. "Is there some sort of attack?" I mumbled.

"Of course, now let's get going," Sam replied.

"..." I looked down at Sam. "Hey!"

Somehow, Sam took my phone and unlocked it. He was looking at a photo on my phone; it was the map.

Sam smirked. "Hmph, hmph, we're almost there."

* * *

It didn't take long before we reached our destination. The place stood in front of us. The dark blue walls stretched high up touching the ceiling. It wrapped around a large area surrounding 'The Nether'.

I walked up to the wall and knocked on it; it gave a vibrant ringing sound like it was made from metal.

Sam looked at the map; he headed off walking - into the distance - along the side of the walls. We silently followed behind him as I observed it. There were no windows, no doors, no entrances. How would we be able to get in?

Suddenly, the dark-brown floor lit up. It formed two light blue, parallel lines that encompass the entirety of 'The Nether'.

"What the hell is this," Sam quietly said.

Looking at him, I wondered, "He's usually calm? What's gotten into him?"

"Why..." Sam continued. "Why do they have the same technology as us?"

"What?" I questioned him.

He ignored me and ran forward.

"Rose! Let's go!" I said as I reached out grabbing hold of Rose's hand; we ran after him.

* * *

He dashed ahead of us; I could barely catch up while holding on to Rose.

"What's going on?" Rose asked.

"I'm not too sure either," I replied as I turned my head facing Rose. "He probably figured something out. Let's catch up quickly and find out what he is up to."

"Mhm."

"Oh! By the way, are you feeling better now?"

"Yeah, I'm better now."

"Okay, great!"

"Yup."

We continued running but then Rose slightly tugged my hand.

"Watch out!" she shouted.

I turned my head back and halted; I almost bumped into Sam. Rose continued to catch her breath as I looked at Sam.

"Hey, Sam."

"Wait."

"...?" I looked at him, I was confused.

A moment later, an open surface showed up on the walls as a piece of it slid up into itself revealing two bright displays.

"What is this?" I asked rhetorically.

"QDVS" Sam replied.

"Oh." My expression changed as I looked down at Sam. "Wait, huh??? What do you mean? Do you know what this is? Sam?"

He continued staring at the display.

"Sam!"

Continuing to ignore me, he walked up and look at the display.

"This is bad," Sam said. He turned his head left and right, then up and down. "Ray, pick me up, quick!"

"What...?"

"I'll explain everything, come over here for a moment."

"Okay..."

I approached him and looked at the display. The screen was glowing bright blue as some patterns were being displayed.

Sam lifted his shaking hand as he slowly placed it on to the display.

"...this... will it work...?" Sam muttered to himself.

Rose approached us a little, but suddenly, the ground shook fiercely. Walls erected and blocked our path out; we were stuck in the place.

I looked around as the walls continued to stretch towards the sky but then, like before, panels on the walls shifted into itself revealing something. Guns, or rather, turrets. They immediately aimed towards the area we were standing.

"What the-?" I began to say, "Sam...?"

"Shit!" he shouted. "The chip's been altered!"

"Now's not the time Sam!" I turned my head towards Rose. "Rose! Come here, quick!"

She paced forward, but suddenly, she tripped and reached out her hand towards me. I quickly let go of Sam. He freefell towards the ground as I lunge forward at Rose, my hand reaching out.

"Rose!!!" I shouted.

The ground continued to shake fiercely and I stumbled sideways. My hand couldn't reach hers; I fell to the ground face first. I turned my head, looking to my right side. I watched as she tried her best to stay up on her feet but nonetheless, gravity pulled her down like a magnetic and she fell forward.

"..."

"Deactivated. Welcome to The Nether."