Hello everyone, I believe this chapter will be just in Mulan's POV. Just thought I should tell everyone. After all Shang needs some time to cope with the fact his most trusted soldier is actually a woman.
As soon as the man left I started brainstorming. The only way I was going to get out of here was to dress up as a man. Again. However they would be expecting that, grrr. Why can't things ever be simple? I mean, how hard is it for people to just let a defenseless woman go? Not that I was defenseless, far from it. Not that anyone knew that.
I still wasn't sure what they were playing at, putting me in the room with everyone. Maybe that's their tactic? Put every women in there with them and see who cracks? Ancestors how I wish I could actually escape and not be in a room that anyone could show up in.
"I can't be here anymore." I say to the empty room. "Mama and Baba are probably sick with worry, and Ping..." I just shook my head. "No I won't go there." I don't know why but talking aloud seemed to help me. At least give me an objective to complete. "Now.. If I were an escape route where would I be?" I mused. Glancing quickly around the room again I saw nothing, except the way to the dark caves, guess that's the only way.
I quickly changed into a much less muted colour and walked out and into the darkness. Putting my hand on the left wall I walked deeper into the caverns. The old scrapes on my hand complained but I paid no attention to them. If I wanted to get out of here alive then I would need to be quick and quiet. Not to mention hidden.
Soon the caves split into two different caves. I made a split decision, the one closest to me was lit, the one across from me was dark. Darkness was key to this operation. Hopefully I wouldn't be killed by that though.
I kept to the shadows on the far side until I got to the dark cavern. I continued walking only this time with my hand pressed on the right side. Walking for almost an hour in the same direction I had almost given up hope, except for the fact that it was going downhill.
My breath hitched as I felt something cold, slimy, and wet. I glance at my fingertips. It's too dark to see anything, I grimace as I lift my hand to my nose, sniffing at the pungent smell of rusted metal and salt. I rub my fingers together mixing the gooey mixture together. The sides of the blood has slightly crusted over, creating a horrible feeling.
"This was semi-recent." I whisper. I crouch down and let my fingers trace the wall. The smell of rotting blood is stronger the closer I got to the ground. I run my fingers over the floor, feeling the odd shaped rocks that obviously were covered in blood. It almost seemed as if the person had been dragged along the ground. Not a cheery thought at all.
Standing up I continue walking, dragging my hand behind me on the wall, leaving a smeared trail of blood along after me. I felt numb, not even the sound of rushing water could have woken me up from my thoughts. I continued walking, the incline becoming deeper and deeper as I continued down.
I swore as my foot hit a dead end. I move my hand over the rock in front of me. Nothing. Not even a knob to let me know that it's a secret entrance. I push my head against it, shuffling forward. All of my weight on the wall, my foot hits a particularly big rock. My body flush against the wall was the only warning I had before it disappeared, moving to the side, throwing me to the ground like I was a common woman.
"Uhhh." I groan as my head bounces against the ground not once, not twice, but three times. I push myself back up and look around, taking everything in at a calculated glance. The cave seemed to glow green and if that wasn't strange enough a strange slapping sound could be heard at different intervals. I take a hesitant step forward and then another.
After about twenty paces from the wall, a grating sound informed me that it closed. I continued walking and stopped. My foot sank and a squishing sound could be heard. I cringe, freeze, and look around. When it seems nothing was different I continued walking. Straight into a river.
Gasping as the cold water hits my face I lose precious air. I kick up to the surface and take a deep breath before being pulled under. I try to break free but I just sink even more. I can't think, I can't move, I can't breathe. The last thought I had was 'I'm sorry.'
Don't shoot me? I know... Cliffhanger, I'm sorry also I'm sorry it's short. I really need to work on the lengths don't I? I will try to update soon. Next time in Shang's point of view. I think there is only going to be like... Five more chapters at the most. If there ends up being more I blame Mushu for it.