A figure shrouded in darkness dashed passed an alley into what looked like an abandoned building. The strange person wore ratty grey boots that looked slightly too small, sweatpants with grease and bleach stains, and a black oversized hoodie with several
holes.
This sadly dressed person removed their hood. Underneath was a grimy man. He was deeply malnourished his cheeks sunken in and yet handsomeness didn't look too far off. The man if that's truly what you could call him walked around this abandoned room that looked like an old hotel lobby. Eventually, he found a wood pallet. As he moved it he revealed a tight craggy opening into the earth. He slide into the gap and climbed down. Aided by his skinny stature he made fast work of the passage.
As he reached a floor he walked through what appeared to be a natural cavern. He continued walking in the dark not so much as reaching for the walls. He's traveled this path many times as he didn't even need light to traverse this route. Eventually, From further into the cavern a light blue started to reveal itself after around 20 minutes of walking. he stepped into this Massive cavernous opening.
This cavern radiated this blue light. It had this salty stale air and yet the man breathed in as if breathing the most refreshing tropical air. The cavern had luminescent mushrooms growing across the walls. There was an assortment of all different types of colors.
The cavern reminded one of a lost oasis. Kept in secret and allowed to grow more beautiful in time however, the centerpiece of this cavern has yet to be revealed. As he walked further in he saw serene waters glowing in a beautiful pond. The pond was crystal clear with light radiating from all the underwater fauna glowing brightly. Not a single ripple could be seen disturbing the surface.
There were a few fish each glistening with a silver reflection as if they were crafted from purest minerals. The figure walked to the edge of the water and leaned over as he stared into his reflection. He stared deeply into his reflected eyes and for the first time in many days he spoke "Sion what are you doing with your life."
Sion stared deeply into his reflection. His eyes were a cloudy grey that matched his ash-grey hair. With brown skin and a sharp jawline, he was unaware of the potential he had from his looks alone. This cavern was one of the few places he could go to escape my reality.
It has always been daunting but he's had many years to accept it. Sion has been alone with not much to my name since he was 7. From bouncing between adoption homes to living in alleys scrounging in bakery dumpsters. "It's been 10 years and you still haven't done anything with your life," Sion said as he ran his hand through the reflection. Feeling the soothing coolness from the water seemingly brought some clarity to his mind
"Imagine this. A dirty 17-year-old found in an unknown cavern. Talking to himself like he's some crackhead or something."
Sion stood up and walked towards a clearer patch of ground a few feet up. "This area really has the best view," Sion said with an exhale. "If only Maia could view this with me. Shit, I'd be happy even if that old goon could see this with me. Maybe then this life wouldn't be so lonely."
Sion looked towards the ceiling of the cave and gazed at the starry sky-like view. "Haa this is better than the stars themselves. At least there aren't any snakes down here to ruin it"
Sion's parents passed while sleeping from a sickness nobody identified. With no relatives, he bounced from adoption home to adoption home but none fit him. Some were even abusive. Sion barely experienced schooling and even when he did many people bullied him. Often because he had looks that many found envious. He eventually found his home on the streets but, that came with its own issues. Sion had little street knowledge.
Fortunately, he met someone kind enough to show him what street life meant.