AUTHORS NOTE: This is my first story WOOHOO! I enjoy writing about things that usually aren't in reality. As I played this game I came up with this idea. I figured laras personal thoughts would be interesting to write about. I DO NOT OWN THE GAME!

After Escaping the Cave of The Unknown

I walked for miles hoping to take shelter from this storm. I came across a cave-like structure underneath a cliff. I was cold, tired, in pain, and worst of all...alone. My body shivered as I felt these cold chills slowly creep down my spine. I examined my shelter and found an empty fire pit. I desperately looked around for small twigs and burnable materials to make a kindling. I then placed them into the fire pit and got out the box of matches that I snagged from the abandoned camp of my fellow survivors. My stomach ached and my hands started to shake uncontrollably. There was only 1 match left. If I screwed this up I would be rubbing 2 sticks together in an attempt for a flame. I gulped as I quickly swiped the match across the box and started the flame. I threw the entire match into the pit and watched the flame rise. I sat down near the fire fiddling with the walkie-talkie trying to get a signal and reach somebody...anybody. "Hello is anybody there" I asked into the device only to hear static answer back. I put the walkie-talkie down and tried to grasp on everything that has happened. It all happened so quickly it felt like a nightmare. The ship sinking...my teammates struggling to regroup...and me escaping a prison that I ended up in. I closed my eyes taking a deep breath. My thoughts where everywhere but I knew it was my fault we were in this situation. On the ship all our hopes and dreams as well as funds were running low. We had little to no chance of reviving them. I offered a fresh new idea with a plan...and the captain told us we were sticking with it. I always had a feeling that when things were at their worst, you had only one shot to make it right again. You had one chance to reclaim yourself and fix your mistake. I figured we had nothing to lose and it was hopeless following in other peoples footsteps. Deep down in my gut I knew if we followed the old paths that lead to nothing, we wouldn't find anything and lose everything. Perhaps...perhaps it was a mistake. I shouldn't have believed my instincts and my gut feelings. I'm still young and fresh out of college...what was I thinking trying to guide this expedition? I'm such a fool for thinking I could lead us to something big and worth the fight and the risks. To think if we would've just listened to Dr. Whitman none of this would've happened. And now the crew and I are separated and worst of all stranded in the middle of the dragons triangle. A place in which no man would dare step foot or boat in. Just as the tears began to pour from my face I heard a familiar voice on the walkie-talkie...it was Roth! "Can anybody hear me" his husky voice said in a tired tone. "Roth it's me Lara" I quickly answered. "Lara glad to hear your alright. Where are you? Are you ok?" "Roth...it was horrible...I woke up in a dark cave. I saw a dead body Roth and this crazy man...he tried to keep me there" I managed to sniffle. "Lara...that must've been hard." "Roth this is ALL my fault if I hadn't-" "Lara listen to me closely, this isn't your fault. We all agreed to endure this together and we will pull through together. You told me during one of our mountain climbs that all we had to do was keep moving. You have to do this Lara. You're a Croft after all. The rest of the crew is regrouping at my location." "Come get me Roth" I said whipping my tears away. "I can't Lara I have to wait for the others. You have the courage and strength to make it here yourself girl. I know you can do it." After those last words, the static came back. I whipped my tears away again. I stood up as the sun finally arose from behind the mountains. Roth was right. I know now I can't just sit here and weep. I have to get up and keep moving. If we're going to make it off this place alive, we can't just sit around and wait for rescue. I looked at the fire once more. Allowing its warmth and flames to fuel my strength. I was going to need it for this trip. I grabbed the bow and quiver and headed down the mountain trail leading me to a forest where the empty cabin stood. As I walked, I heard singing. It was peaceful but at the same time disturbing. Nobody else was in the area except for me. I followed the voice into the empty cabin. I slowly crept toward a opening inside. It was a secret passageway that lead to god knows where. The door slammed behind me and I ran over and attempted to pry it open with my bare hands. No luck whatsoever and I grabbed a a nearby torch and headed down the ladder. This is where my journey begins.