Page 16 of Moist!
chapter five
Hours later, I've been abandoned in one of the alcoves that's more bedroom than cave. A strip of what smells like leather cuts off my view of the rest of the space. Saxon and Ronan vanished into the cavern with the pool after Atlas, promising to be back soon. At first, I didn't mind.
I took a nap on an incredibly comfortable mattress.
Why they need a bed, I don't know. Hell, I'm not even sure how they got a frame and mattress down here.
Once I woke up, it didn't take long before I was snooping.
I don't know whose room this is, but they like to draw based on sketch pad and art supplies everywhere.
I wasn't about to peek inside the book, which left nothing for me to do.
It's the only reason I'm back at the pool.
Saxon told me I shouldn't touch anything, but I can't help myself.
So far nothing has killed me. I've squished at least three types of mushrooms and skirted the rocks holding back the water a dozen times.
It would be incredibly foolish to get in.
Saxon's skin can probably handle it if there’s acid in here or something.
He seemed more concerned with the animals inside.
I lean my hip against the small wall and peer into the darkness.
It's slightly terrifying. A nervous giggle leaves me when I imagine falling in.
I know how to swim, but something could latch onto my ankle and drag me into the void.
Hopefully I'd drown long before it devoured me.
A chill snakes down my spine, and I grip the edge tightly as I lean over more.
A bright purple light appears from the depths, swirling around with a sparkly tail trailing after it.
I tilt my head and narrow my eyes. It's probably some random sea creature I've never heard of before.
Maybe it's a mythical creature. If there are gargoyles, there must be other types of beings out there.
I wonder if they know mermaids, or vampires, or unicorns.
I was always fascinated with mythology when I was younger.
My father would scoff, calling me fanciful.
My mother didn't care as long as I could get to the library on my own.
The closer the creature gets to the surface, the more I attempt to figure out what it is.
It's not until my nose touches the water, I realize I'm on my tiptoes.
My heels slam back onto the ground and the air whooshes out of me.
Identifying it isn't worth getting wet. I shuffle back, still tracking the light swimming toward me.
It's mesmerizing in an ethereal way. My vision blurs and my mouth parts.
I sway, trying to break the spell I'm under. Light bursts from the water, washing out everything else. Slippery tentacles wrap around my wrists, my arms, my waist, and drag me over the lip. I don't even have time to scream before I break the surface and darkness envelops me in its cold embrace.