Chapter 8: Grand Vizier's Garden Party Part II (Haunted labyrinth of flowers)
Arnold took his compass out and scanned the map Alright, let's see. I am right here he repeated in his head now I've got to go north… right this way….
Arnold cocked his head up and saw a mighty green wall made of leaves. Arnold gulped as he glared the strange spooky place. The leaves were sharp, with many colours, green, red, blue, violet, pink and even black. They seemed to move slowly on its own, something amazing and never seen before by Arnold.
He saw once again the map and read "Haunted labyrinth of flowers". The name did not sound friendly but Arnold's will was stronger.
"Alright, let's do this then" he said to himself with a confident look on his face.
He stepped right in front of the mystical wall, he searched for a way in, a door perhaps, but found nothing. Arnold kept searching until the leaves opened in a sudden move luring him the way to a cave.
The cavern was beautiful, it was made out of glorious flowers of all colours from top to bottom. The cave got darker as he slowly walked deeper in, strange sounds surrounded his ears. Arnold's eyes got used to the gloom and the way became a bit clear to his eyes. There were many tunnels, all filled with flowers and flora.
It was confusing, Arnold did not know where to go, the map did not lead the way. He took the left tunnel only to find more darkness and even more tunnels.
I'll go north all the way and soon I must be out of this place Arnold thought and took his compass out and had a great surprise. The compass did not work in that place, for it was spinning in all directions at a fast speed.
Where now?
A sudden hard crash sounded behind him scaring him. Arnold turned around but saw nothing but the great black, he was still as a statue, with a grim expression. The sound began to echo again, only this time, it got closer and closer, louder and louder. Panic overtook Arnold as he fled. The noise was like some kind of agonizing fiend, dragging itself through the tunnels.
"Auuuuugh!" Arnold heard right behind his ear, he felt how his back was stung by millions of tiny needles feeling a cold fear. Unable to see what was behind him, Arnold let out a girly scream. As he ran faster towards another tunnel, he smashed on a dead-end.
Arnold's head had hit hard on the cave, but immediately got on his feet and returned to the tunnel he was before. The monstrous sound had stopped, Arnold stood quietly still to listen if the fiend was around. Tension was killing him glaring at the dark alley. Since there wasn't any sign of the monster, he decided to walk again but stopped when the sound banged right in front of him. The fiend and Arnold did not seem to see each other, the gloom was too blinding for both, and they could only hear each other. Limping steps came from the monster's direction, Arnold slowly stepped backwards crushing the flowers. Everything was fine till he ran into a rock and collapsed on the ground.
"Aaauuugh!" the dimensionless thing roared while Arnold crawled backwards and on to his feet.
He ran as fast as he could in the narrow cave, he felt the monster right on his back and its moans heavier. He did not stop when a dim glimpse appeared at the far end.
"The exit!" he screamed getting closer and closer. Just before the end, the fiend bit Arnold's left upper arm. He yelled in agony but managed to escape alive. The light hit Arnold's face blinding his sight making him fall and roll down hill. Arnold hit rocks, branches, bushes, some more rocks and finally stopped. Arnold toddled through the long grass and found a tree to lean on.
The sky had a purplish colour, Arnold was astonished when he saw the beautiful place he ended up in. Enormous trees, lots of flowers everywhere and a crystal clear lake. Birds sang and butterflies flew all around. A burning ache on his left arm made Arnold stumble on his knees.
What the hell? he thought as he looked at his arm. It bled, a deep wound made his blood spurt out fast. Arnold held it tight, pressing it together to avoid losing blood. His shirt turned red and a red liquid filled Arnold's hand. Soon he became dizzy, then relaxed and finally he didn't seem to mind.
This place … sure is… bea… wonderful he thought and fainted.
Dreamscape
"Run, run!... Faster come on!" a man ran along two other shadows.
"Oh god!... Was that… Were they really eating…" a woman cried.
"Shut up! Shut up!"
"Aaaahh!" another man shouted in pain as he fell on the mud "I got hit! I got hit!"
The woman and man returned to save their fallen mate but the fallen quickly yelled.
"Don't! save yourselves! There is no hope for me anymore! Go! Now! Run! Go!"
"But.."
"Go! Now!" he furiously yelled. The couple fled as they were told by the other man, something or someone chased them.
"They are getting closer!" the female gasped.
"Don't look back and keep running! Come… Aaaah!" The male screamed.
"What hap… Aaagh!" she yelled too. Both of the persecuted were struck by some kind of dart.
"What the fuck is this?"
"Oh no, oh god no! Miles! We got hit! We won't make it! We're going to die!" her sorrow turned into tears.
"No! It's not time to give up! Come on! Run faster!"
They sped the way with all their energy reserved until they reached a secret place.
"Look! Look! A pyramid" The man pointed with his finger "We have to climb it! Please… come on! Don't give up on me Stella! Please!" The man said as he cried.
"I… can't go… on, I am too tired" her eyes slowly closed.
"Then I'll have to carry you!"