Something sharp was poking my back. I slowly sat up, removing a large stick out from under me. We were in the middle of a humid tropical rain forest. Why was the last level always in a dangerous place? At least it wasn't freezing cold like during the Inception job…
Arthur, Eames, and Strauss were already picking themselves up off the ground. They were all in similar outfits which consisted of beige slacks, a loose-fitted white t-shirt, and varying types of hats. I was in beige, loose-fitted shorts and a tight dark green tank top. It was already quite hot even thought it was only early morning and sweat already was starting to stick my tank top to my upper back. Eames hauled me onto my feet, none to graciously of course, and we started off into the dense foliage.
"So what's the plan?" I asked casually.
"Oh, nothing really, you and our darling Arthur go get the "information", all I get to do is blow up part of a mountain," he said sarcastically.
"Aww! Poor Eames! All he gets to do is blow up a freaking mountain!" I teased and pouted.
"Shut up, after I set the explosives, I'll meet you all at the cave," he said as he slashed away a low hanging branch with a long, sharp machete. Suddenly a black and green colored anaconda fell out of a high tree. I screamed as it slithered slowly toward me, hissing and flicking it's yellow tongue hungrily.
Arthur, who was walking behind me with Strauss, yanked me back away from the anaconda. With me safe, Eames brought out his gun and swiftly shot the anaconda before it could attack. We all let out a deep sigh of relief and continued on up the mountain to the nearby cave.
"That was close! You need to be more careful little girl," Strauss said and I had the deep urge to punch him in the face. I am not a little girl!
As leaves and sticks crunched underneath our hiking boots, we all remained silent. I took the time to look around at the majestic forest. The many different species of trees were amazing and they all soared high up into the gray, cloudy sky. The sounds of the forest were fascinating as well, with the sounds of insects and birds chirping happily and the occasional monkey screech. The smell on the other hand, was a different matter; it reeked of too moist soil and droppings. We were lucky that it was only drizzling, though, more rain would intensify the stench.
After a long period of walking, I spotted the large cave entrance which was shaped almost like a mouth screaming. It was very dark on the inside and off to the right of the cave was a small water fall that glistened in the low lighting. The dim lighting actually made the foliage pop with a bright green. All of the color illuminated the cave entrance, giving it an eerie air about it.
"Well my dear friends, this is the part I bid you goodbye. Though, unfortunately for you, I will be back," Eames said and winked. He ruffled my hair playfully and said, "See you later, love."
He detached from our little adventure group and went further up the mountain. Arthur, Strauss and I entered the cave entrance and sat down upon the cold, gray stone floor and wall of the cave. Arthur turned to Strauss and said, "This is where you must show us all of your personal information if you want to be protected from dream invasion. Are you willing to do this?"
Strauss looked as though he was fighting an inner battle and a pained look crossed his face before he answered reluctantly, "Yes, this seems to be the only way."
Arthur nodded curtly and said smoothly, "Alright, then we must begin. You need to open your mind and let it flow freely. You must let your secrets out. Nothing leaves this cave."
We held each others hands gingerly and closed our eyes tightly. We let the images flow freely through our minds, like water. Once the process started, it felt like a cool breeze encased our bodies. It was almost relaxing, but then the crude images started flashing quickly across our closed eyelids, like a movie set on fast forward.
A strong headache came on as the images became clearer: Strauss cheating on his wife with many mistresses, Strauss beating up his wife, leaving her with a black eye, Strauss's wife sobbing, cradling a broken arm from where Strauss pushed down a set of mahogany stairs, Strauss on a rampage, throwing priceless family photos across the room, having them shatter into a million tiny little pieces. I had the intense urge to open my eyes, but I knew that if I did the temporary link would break.
More images flooded in, this time with Strauss sexually harassing girls at a park, on a street, at one of his apartment complexes, Strauss screaming at his wife, calling her horrible things, Strauss calling his step son gay and a fagot, even though he was straight. The images started to fade slowly and before everything went black, I saw Strauss on even more rampages, his eyes burning intensely with pure rage and fury. The link broke and I abruptly dropped both of their hands. I turned my head away, disgusted at what I saw and I wouldn't bring myself to look at this monster.
Strauss looked ashamed and stuttered out, "I-I'm sorry for what I did. But that's the past now and I am trying to become a new man!" he hung his head.
"You can't become a new man if you're still doing all of those things," I spat menacingly.
Arthur leaned over and whispered in my ear, "Ariadne, detach yourself. This is business. Don't let it get personal." I gave him a reproachful glance before I turned my head to see Eames standing at the cave entrance.
"The explosives are set, I'm ready when you are," Eames said very business like.
Arthur, Strauss, and I got up and stood by the entrance of the cave with Eames, overlooking the beautiful rain forest. Without warning, a shot rang out. Out of the corner of my eye I saw a projection run off into the forest. Next to me, Arthur fell with a loud thud! Strauss retreated into the recesses of the cave while Eames helped me drag Arthur farther into the cave. I dropped to my knees next to him and searched delicately for a bullet wound. The bullet entered his chest about an inch above the heart. His white t-shirt was now soaked with his sticky, crimson blood. He coughed up blood as I applied pressure to the wound. With my hands now soaked in his blood, I checked his pulse: no response. He was dead. He was in Limbo.
"Arthur! No!" I screamed in agony as hot tears flowed down my cheeks.
AN: I'm sorry this took so long to write, I had a huge writers block :/ Next chapter should be out soon :D Thanks for reading, please review.