21: Creative Visualization
Jewel exhaled softly, in a controlled fashion, letting the air leave her lungs bit by bit, in an ever – constant amount as she carefully inched towards the corner that she and her two crewmates were hiding behind, taking care not to make a single additional sound.
This was the WORST idea.
She was going to kill Sydney, she swore, if they made it out of this alive.
After all, it had been the privateer's idea, in the first place, to barge in here without adequate preparation – and although Jewel had objected, saying that they were not trained enough, not supplied enough, not ready enough, Sydney had still gone through with the overly – ambitious task, determined to prove to the Resistance how much she was truly capable of.
And now that she, Sydney, and Samantha were within the tunnels of the Ancient Ruins themselves, Jewel had concluded that nothing could have been more wrong.
It was the third day since they had last seen daylight, and the crew of the Grand Fife had grown tired and desperate – the fact that they were hopelessly outnumbered by the sheer amount of clockworks that had been placed within the tunnels did not aid their situation in any way.
Forget the mission, Sydney had eventually, but dejectedly said – as now, they needed to focus on escaping this place alive.
However, this had been easier said than done – they had decided upon this right when they were within the very center of the labyrinth, right where the pathways and twists and turns were the most complex and confusing.
Not to mention that every inch of the place had seemed to be crawling with clockworks – none of which would have the slightest ounce of mercy upon the three women, if they were to be discovered.
Just look around the corner, Sydney had said, it's quick and simple, and we'll be able to tell if this way is safe or not!
Again, easier said than done – now that she was pressed up against the wall without sound, without a trace of existence, Jewel had never been more terrified in her entire life.
Much to her dismay, she quickly found that upon the realization of her own terror, thoughts of surrender began to leak in as well, and she tried her very best to beat them out, yet, they seemed strangely evasive.
Turn away.
It's a bad idea –
Don't DO it!
Jewel gave a pleading glance to Sydney and Samantha, but was only met with silent motions of encouragement for her to continue.
And so there is no choice.
Shaking her head as if this would clear these intrusive, obscuring thoughts, the small – framed swashbuckler steeled herself, curling her fists in an attempt to build up every ounce of courage within her tiny body. It really was ridiculous, she thought, the terror that had overcome her over such a small action – yet, this did not serve to diminish its effect on her in any way.
You are silent –
You are nonexistent –
You're an expert at this, Jewel – you've GOT this – they're counting on you, and you're not going to let them down, are you?
And quickly sticking her head around the corner in one quick move, Jewel scanned the area before pulling back briefly, her face having turned as white as that of a ghost, or some other phantasmal spectre as she silently but visibly gulped air, the insane amount of courage and risk that it had caused her having mentally exhausted her.
"We…we're clear. Let's go."
Yeah, this theme was somewhat difficult to work with, mainly because people don't see it a whole lot/people don't know the definition, so I had to make it explicitly clear in the actual writing what the definition is - apparently it's like those mental words of encouragement that athletes tell themselves before races or something of that type.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed, and be sure to leave a review!
- Severina