15. Camille

FIFTEEN

Today is the day I will finally be free again. The day I've been dreaming of for far too long. Nothing can change my mind at this point. This is the right thing to do.

I feel bad looking Mazituz in the face, knowing what I plan to do as soon as the right moment presents itself. But I have no choice. I'm living this life for me, and no one else. I must make the choice that is best for me despite who it might hurt.

"Any plans for the day?" I ask him.

He thinks for a moment, surveying his lair.

"I have to get you more food. I gave you the last of it for breakfast earlier. Would you like to come with me? I'll be scavenging for my own nutrients as well."

Trying to control the wild beating of my heart, I pretend to think about this. I never came up with a definitive plan, but this could be the perfect opportunity if I play this right.

"Actually, is it okay if I stay here? I'm feeling quite tired today. I didn't get much sleep last night."

"Why not? Is everything okay?"

"Everything's fine. I just woke up a couple of times throughout the night, that's all."

He nods, deeming this a sufficient answer. I hold my breath, waiting for him to ask me to come anyway.

"You can stay here. I shouldn't be too long."

Thank the gods. I breathe a slow sigh of relief, trying not to be too obvious. If he suspects anything, I can say good-bye to my freedom.

"I really like those fruits you've been getting," I tell him.

"I'll get more. They're not hard to steal. Hopefully, I can find some more variety for you, though. I know you're used to a much different diet than what you've been having."

"It's okay, I don't mind," I lie.

It becomes hard to swallow as I picture him showing up with the fruits I asked for, only to find me gone. The thought is almost enough to make me reconsider doing this to him. Almost.

"Still, I will look."

"I appreciate it." I smile at him.

He really is so considerate of me, always making sure I'm okay, making sure that I've had enough to eat. How could I give this up?

Because you don't belong here.

I know it's true, and yet it still hurts.

"Are you okay?" he asks, concern filling his eyes.

"Yeah, like I said, I'm just tired."

"You should rest while I'm gone. No one ever comes down here, so you'll be safe if you decide to sleep."

"I think I will." I nod.

An hour later, Mazituz sets off.

As soon as he's gone, I begin counting the seconds until I think it's safe for me to leave. The last thing I want is to bump into him as I'm running away. I can only imagine the anger that would follow, directed right at me.

Once I'm sure he's long gone, I rise from the bed, surveying the room around me. I never thought I'd feel like this, but I'm actually going to miss this cave. The soft, comforting bed of moss. The rich, earthy scent of the underground mixed with that of Mazituz.

I'll especially miss his collection of glowing stones and those beautiful pearls. Something about them is so special, and I know I'll never be able to look at something similar without thinking of him.

With one last look behind me, I leave the safety of his lair in search of a way back to my true home. Not that I actually have a home up there, but I'll deal with that when the time comes. Right now, I just need to focus on getting out.

I try my best to take the correct turns, trying to remember all the paths he's shown me since he first took me. My memory guides me past the bioluminescent markers and glowing crystals, each one a beacon in the darkness, a countdown to my potential escape.

It doesn't take long for the doubt to creep in as the familiar pathways seem to twist and turn unfamiliarly. It takes me a long time to admit to myself that I'm lost, but I don't let this stop me. No matter what, I will keep going. I will find my way out.

As I walk, I use my growing need to see the sun to drive me forward. I can no longer live not knowing if it's night or day, trusting Mazituz to tell me when to sleep and when to wake.

I need to feel the wind against my face. The rain falling on my skin. Nothing in this world can replace that feeling.

But the longer I walk, the more lost I become, the caverns turning into a never-ending maze with no clear way out. I try to hold it together, but I realize that I'm completely clueless. The darkness seems to eat me up, suffocating me, a creeping unease settling over me.

I stop for a moment, leaning against a wall as I try to calm my breathing. Panic will not help me here. I need to keep my wits and use them to my advantage. Closing my eyes, I rack my brain for something, anything, that can help me.

A low growl reverberates through the air, coming from a dark corner to my left, the sound foreign and threatening. I freeze, my breathing becoming increasingly shallow, my senses on high alert.

Shadows move at the edge of my vision, and I dare a look, glimpsing a monstrous figure emerging from the dark corner. No, not just one. Multiple figures, their forms hulking and misshapen, their eyes reflecting what is clearly malevolent intent.

Something whispers at me from the depths of my brain, reminding me that I need to move. To run.

I take off, propelling myself forward as fast as I can manage. The repeated turns of the tunnel do not work in my favor, and my feet begin to slip on the damp floor.

The sound of the creatures' pursuit fuels my desperate flight, but it does nothing to stop gravity. Coming across a particularly wet spot, I lose my footing, crashing into the ground.

"Fuck!"

Not wasting any time, I scramble back to my feet, sobs beginning to form in my throat.

"Leave me alone!" I shout as I fight to regain the momentum I just lost by falling.

I stumble over jagged rocks as the sound of the monsters' hisses becomes much too close for my comfort. My mind is now a whirlwind of fear and regret for leaving Mazituz's side.

You should have never left.

It's best if I'm honest with myself, seeing as how I may not survive more than a few minutes from now and the truth is that I knew this would happen. I knew this would go poorly for me, and I should have trusted my gut before letting my longing get the best of me.

Why did I think I'd be able to pull this off? I'm a human girl with no real sense of direction down here and no way to protect myself. The right answer was staring at me in the face the whole time, and I blatantly ignored it.

I hear them getting closer. I can practically feel them at my back. A claw grazes my arm, causing intense pain to course through me as my scream pierces the air around me. Blood trickles down my arm as I struggle to run faster than my legs can carry me.

I round a corner, coming across two separate tunnels. They're about two seconds behind me, and I need to make this decision quickly. I opt for the narrower of the two, hoping this will slow my pursuers.

My gamble pays off as I get further in, peeking behind me and spotting the creatures as they struggle to follow me. But this win won't last for long, and I need to use every second of the temporary advantage.

I dart left and right, my movements frenetic as I rely on pure instinct to survive. My heart is a drumbeat in my chest, the chase using every bit of adrenaline remaining in me.

I won't be able to keep this up much longer. My legs have long since grown tired, and it won't be long until they completely give out. I have zero chance of getting out of this alive, and I'm beginning to accept that.

Nothing can save me now. Mazituz isn't here this time to be my hero.

Immediately after this thought, almost on cue, I hear the unmistakable roar of the creature I've grown to see as my protector. The creature I should have trusted more, appreciated more.

His roar thunders through the cavern once again, so loud that it shakes the walls around me, and all I can do is hope that he's semi-close to me.

One last burst of adrenaline courses through me. Mazituz is my only hope, and the thought of him rescuing me a second time is the only thing driving my shaky legs forward. His arrival is my only chance at survival, but he may be too late. The creatures are gaining on me once more, reaching for me.

"Mazituz!" I shriek.

My scream turns into a sob, tears streaming down my face, blurring my eyes, and making it that much harder for me to find my way.

I'm going to die today. After everything I've survived, this will be my downfall. My whole life, all the suffering, it was all for nothing. My dreams of finding a better life for myself will now be snuffed out because of my own naivety.

I deserve whatever is coming. It's the only way for me to accept my fate.

I only hope that Mazituz can forgive me when he arrives too late.