Hello very sorry about the um lack of update? No excuses. Well, some but c'mon... Anyway. Here's the next chapter. I tried. Review please and constructive critisizem is welcome. Enjoy :P
Running his hands through his hair, he waited. He waited for his fingers to stop twitching with the thought of strangling the loud Aussie. Aster exclaimed something next to him and Jack was jarred as the car popped over the slightly-higher-than-the-ground driveway.
"Oops", he said with a sheepish grin as he pulled up to the house.
Jack gave him a mock glare"If I spend any more quality time with you, I think I might throttle you."
"You're no snowberry either." Aster laughed,"I'll put your stuff up then?" he asked uneasily.
"Please." he said, getting out of the car.
"I'll be back in a few hours." Jack said.
Aster looked at him sideways while carrying the bags,"I'm exhausted so I'll be turnin in early tonight."
They nodded to each other as they parted ways. But Jack gave him a befuddled look as Aster yelled over his shoulder,"KEY'S UNDER THE MATT!" and then looked around at the neighboring houses quite a bit away from them and again shouted,"NOT! I MEAN IT'S NOT UNDER THE MATT!"
Checking his compass, he tried not to double-over laughing at Aster's quirkiness. Southwest -Got it. Pocketing the device, he wandered. He had visited Aster a few times here before and they'd walked around a bit but nothing in depth. Plus, the less danger, the more he could joke around and trip Aster when he wasn't looking. Ah, fun times. For Jack.
While reminiscing of old times Jack felt the tinge of salty air sting his nose. He blinked at the natural beauty of the Pacific. Part of him wanted to jump in and stay but another, very different part of him wanted to join the clouds. To be able to see it everyday.
He stepped away before he grew too immersed. Jack walked farther away from the house near the top of the cliff. It was one among the few rich homes in the area. He treaded down the sloping side of the land and found something resembling a trail. Part of the land beside him continued to stay level while the path he chose was descending slowly.
As he went on it seemed to stop and then abruptly wrap around the wall. As Jack peeked around the corner of the ending wall he saw a valley. But not much of one.
The grass was thin and short. Little patches of it everywhere. Except in one spot where it was just light soil. Jack lightly stepped into valley.
It was honestly not very pleasant to look at, maybe even a bit creepy. It was only a little after four so the Sun was directly hitting the expanse of ground. Jack bottled about, giving things a once over to familiarize himself. Nearest to the back was the single circle of soil. He broke into a swift jogg and was going to stop at the edge. If there wasn't a rock just a centimeter too tall poking out of the ground.
Damn rocks. They're everywhere. Can't take two steps before you stub your toe. he thought as he got up from the ground.
Dusting off his pants he heard a slow ripping sound. Confused, he looked around, turned, checked his clothes, nothing. Then he looked down and barely had time to widen his eyes as the ground fell away from him.
He gripped the edge of the ground for about half a second before that too fell with him. A paniced scream erupted from his throat as he fell eight feet and hit the ground with a thud. A pained groan followed as he curled in on himself.
The stone floor was cool and…slimy.
Jack sprung to life with a jolt and an uneasy stomache. The smell of salt was distant. He leaned forward and immediately regretted it. With the way his head was pulsing and pounding he wouldn't be suprised to find out a night club had taken up residency in his brain.
He laid back down and collected himself. He saw the ground from where he fell and tensed. Looking around, everything was dark. The only light around was from where he fell and it was shining on him like a spotlight. Oh God. How many survival rules have I tossed aside today?
I'm in a dark slimy cave and I don't see a way out. I'm never going to get out of here. I AM GOING TO DIE.
Taking a deep breath he composed himself. C'mon Jackie. Wadda' ya' got?
I know what I don't have. Not my inhaler or any of my fucking equipment, that's for sure, he shuffled in his pockets. Mints. Pen. Paper. House keys. Compass...
Relief flooded Jack's mind as he pulled out the tool. A small flashlight and whistle were made into the compass. A moment before he blew into the whistle, he paused and went with his better judgment as he clicked the flashlight on.
He shined it on the ceiling and was relieved to find no bats. But then again why would there be bats this far out anyways? He pointed it to the back of the cave and saw a dirt wall roughly twenty feet back. Nothing in its corners, just an empty space. Tuning, his foot slid on the slippery stone and he landed on his side.
"How many times?" his voice echoed lightly.
Compass still clutched in hand he flicked on the flashlight, shining it in the dark.
One second.
One second of pure uncertainty. Then terror. A pale face, low brow, dark, dark eyes, and sharp teeth uncovered by lips pulled back in a snarl.
He jumped back, slipped, and kept pushing himself back until his back was pressed against the cold earth wall. He saw an arm brush by the pool of light and decided he didn't want to see anymore. He was shaking horribly while pulling his knees to his chest and throwing his arms over his head. Pulling himself as close together as he could, he waited.
Waited for whatever would come.