Missing Trilogy Book 1: Finding Home

by Bigsisnat533

Trapped. Shay and Vella are trapped in a world that isn't theirs. Not only that, but this other world is at war. And Shay and Vella are caught in the middle of it, when all they want to do is go home and assure their families that they aren't dead. They can't do that until the war is over, so what is there to do? - A story re-told from another perspective (and then some).

1. Fallen

Falling. He was falling. Shay, ex-resident of "space", was falling into the abyss, presumably to his death. A giant, robotic hand reached out to catch him, but it missed. He was vaguely aware of his parents calling his name, yelling out to him, and yet he couldn't tell. Everything had this haze about it-as if it were all a dream. Things became darker until he couldn't see. Darkness enveloped him down in the gorge.

Vella, ex-maiden and slayer of Mog Chothra, who was standing next to Shay's mom atop the rapidly melting ships, watched in horror as he disappeared into the darkness. Both of Shay's parents screamed his name. She ignored it. The only thing that was dying today was Mog Chothra. Looking around for something to tie herself to, Vella saw one of the yarn arms sticking out from a hole in the ship's exterior.

"How long are these things?" she asked, tying it around her waist and testing to make sure it was tied securely.

Shay's mom looked at Vella for a moment, not quite registering the question. She shook her head as if to clear it. "They're very long. And they're also slightly stretchy. Why?"

"I'll explain later. Just keep an eye on it, and if and when I tug on it a few times, pull me back up."

With not a moment to spare, she jumped headfirst into the gorge. A few people yelled out to her, but she didn't care. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she could see Shay ahead of her. His hands were all scraped up; he must've tried to grab some of the rocky overhangs in the gorge. That had slowed his fall a little bit, and Vella adjusted herself in an attempt to fall faster. She could see him and he could see her.

The two continued falling into the gorge and seconds started turning into minutes. They started to grow nearer each other and Vella extended her hand and yelled, "Take my hand!"

Shay reached for her hand. Their fingertips just barely brushed together. The two reached as far as they could, as far as their bodies would let them. Milliseconds passed. The two were able to join hands. Vella attempted to pull on the arm tied around her waist before she grabbed Shay's other hand. Moments turned into hours.

Both Vella and Shay's parents saw the movement of the arm that they'd been so carefully watching, grabbed it, and tried to pull the two back up. All they got was nothing. Vella pulled Shay into a sort of hug as they hit the bottom.