Moonvale - Leaving the Forest Behind
Smoke.
So much smoke.
It burns my eyes and throat.
Tears run down my ash and debris stained cheeks.
Sweat runs in rivulets from my timples until it finds the corners of my lips, coating my tongue in salt, adding to the flavor of the dampend hem of my torn t-shirt.
I'd had only seconds to drench the edges in the remains of my water before smoke filled my lungs. Not the best option for a resporator, but it was all I could think of at the time.
Navigating the darkness this far below the surface was hard enough on its own. I felt as if I was decending past madness and straight into hell on the way here.
And that was BEFORE that idiot decided to set the whole place ablaze.
Now? It's hotter than the very bottom circle of hell, and just as intollerable. Darkness stretches on and on in front of me but behind?
Heat licks the walls as the flames reach foward for any oxygen the damp, underground tunnels can provide as fuel.
"Fucksake. I thought I was doing them a favor but if I get myself killed down here..."
Their face flashes in front of my eyes, as if summond on the breeze.
I pause, flicking my flashlight left and right.
There shouldn't be any breeze. In fact...
I sweep my flashlight over the walls and ceiling until something catches my eye.
"You have got to be shitting me."
Either I missed that exit on the map somehow, or the blaze is causing more structural concern than I'd expected. Either way, it's a way out, and I'd be a dumbass not to take it.
I shift directions and take off in a sprint. Just as I hit my stride and explosion nearly knocks me off of my feet. Cinders float through the air catching my hoodie in several places. I try to shake out of it, but it tangles in my backpack.
I curse beneth by breath before finally squeezing through a damp, dark crevace in the earth. The clean air ignights the ash on my arm. In a panic, I shrug out of my backpack, shred my hoodie and mask and take off in a random direction.
Into the woods.
Away from the mines.
Away from them.