'My head is breaking?! Is the hit it took now the final straw for my head to break?!'
Clearing his thoughts of these absurd notions, Ling stopped his rolling, 'If it was not my head, where did that sound come from?'
A moment earlier, his head bumped into something hard so it was more likely it was that breaking instead of his head.
'My head is so strong now!'
Crack... cr-crack...
The cracking sounds continued, making Ling aware of his current surroundings. Still feeling the pain in his head, he took a few more minutes to stay still and wait for his power to heal while he tried to feel the difference around him. The ground was much warmer even compared to the slope where he fell in. There was a warm air blowing from somewhere which made the air slightly hot but it was still colder compared to what Ling was used to.
When he felt that he could finally sit up steadily, he turned to find the rock he bumped into. Perhaps his eyes got used to the dark, he did not have to look for long. There was only one object in this dome-like space which was still exhibiting some cracking sounds.
The rock was not far from him either so he was able to look at it closely by only moving a little. Instead of the usual rough surface of the walls and ground here, this rock looked smooth and round. The only blemish marring this rock was the cracks that kept appearing in its surface. In a few seconds, the cracking stopped and no sound could be heard inside the cave aside from the boy's breathing and the warm air blowing from somewhere.
Even more curious now, Ling moved near the rock to touch it. He was surprised since the rock was really different than usual, warmer compared to the other rocks here. The warmth
As his eyes got more used to the dark, he saw that the rock was surrounded by an intense red 'haze'. Ling realized that the human-like 'mist' he felt earlier was coming from this rock.
'Is there a human inside this? Then, it will be too small! This rock looks like it will reach just my waist!'
Ling was disappointed. When he thought further of his current situation, he became scared and wanted to cry. The air inside was still slightly colder than he was used to and it was impossible for him to climb back up from where he fell.
Although he can see slightly better now, the room was still dark and he could not see anything when he looked up.
As he moved closer to the rock to at least keep himself warm, a tear fell from his eye, followed by more tears. If he could not find an exit by himself, would the villagers and his father still be able to find him especially since he fell into this hole? Should he not have moved from the previous place before? The hole where he fell from would actually not fit any adult he knew so how will he exut from here?
Despite these thoughts, Ling tried to silently cry while also controlling his exuded 'mist' so as not to disturb if there were other dangerous creatures inside the cave, but he still hiccuped when crying.
'I don't want to go on an adventure anymore!'
Hugging the rock now to comfort himself with its warmth, the little boy stopped his sniffing suddenly when he felt the rock move. The movement was soon followed by the previous cracking sounds.
Cr-crack... Crack...
Aside from the cracking, he could also hear a beat from the rock he was hugging. The drum was getting louder, fascinating Ling with the lively sound. However, he suddenly realized that this might not be good, 'What if another dangerous creature came out of this rock?!'
Feeling apprehensive, Ling slowly stood up and moved back, away from the rock, ready to run or fight whatever came out of it if he has to. He turned his back to the previous hole, at least he knew the warm bodies up there did not harm him compared to this unknown.
Just when Ling was paying attention to the rock's movements, the shaking suddenly stopped. A breath later, something poked out a piece of the crack surface. Ling followed with his eyes when the shell dropped but this piece was soon followed by another piece and another.
By now, Ling knew it was an egg though of what, he didn't know. There was no egg this big in the village or a family would be willing to share some since they would not be able to finish eating one.
Finally, the hole in the egg was big enough for something to come out. Even though it was still dark, the 'haze' surrounding the egg was lit up, illuminating the figure slowly coming out of the shell.
A thin sliver of a wing was the first to come out, followed by a long snout with white air blowing out of its nose. Once more than half of the body was out, the figure tumbled down from the shell, making Ling snicker but he stopped and held his breath to keep quiet.
Hearing this, the figure righted itself and shook slightly, then turned its head to Ling's direction. The red eyes of the creature stared at the hazel ones of the little boy.