I desperately clung to the outside of the cage. My muscles were screaming from overexertion.
'That doesn't make any sense. I barely did anything! I should be able to hold on longer than this.'
The train of thought was interrupted by another streak of pain. Fear washed over me as I nearly lost my grip. The mesh squealed with the sudden activity.
'What did I do last night?'
Just that brief slip had me gasping.
Using all the strength I could, I started climbing the mesh. I tried moving up like a spider, or a kid at the jungle gym. Until the edge that is.
Instead of an easy to climb edge at the top, there was a large wooden overhang made of the roof of the cage itself.
I knew I couldn't make up there without flying, let alone as exhausted as I was.
Looking around the edge of the cage, I managed to see a wire that was out of place.
I untied the ribbon I had around the waist of my dress and used it as a makeshift harness. I wrapped it around the wire and was able to take a breather.
I didn't wait around; however, as the ribbon wasn't the safest option in the book.
I looked for an opening because if the wire was loose, it had to go somewhere.
Lo and behold, I found a small hole the size of my finger that went all the way through.
I went for the dust in my bag... and came empty as I left it-
Another stab of pain shot through my skull.
'S**t. Wait that gives me an idea!'
I went over and looked at the wire I was hanging on. Running my hand on the broken edge.
I tried to tentatively cut my hand, but nothing happened. Tried a bit harder, still nothing
I took a deep breath and tried to calm my nerves.
Carefully placing part of my forearm that was near the elbow on the edge, I pulled my arm like someone yanking a bandage. Quick and painful.
I let out a hiss of pain as the wire broke my skin.
But my perseverance was rewarded, and I was left with a long shallow scratch with plenty of blood.
I dipped my fingers into the cut and started drawing the sigils around the hole.
I had to do it a few more times since my nerves were shot and wasted blood.
Eventually, I had the circle set up and started charging it with magic.
'perfect'
I thought as the circle pulled me through the hole. My body warping as I passed through.
Till I popped on the other side. I was scratched, bloody, and exhausted but I made it out alive.
I laughed like a maniac as I lied there, just happy to be alive.
When the laughter inevitably ended, I sat up.
'Oh no.'
As I sat there looking at everything from above I noticed that there were hundreds of metal cages.
And mine was the only one you could stand up on.