Chapter 22 - Light dims too easily

I could see myself falling to my death a thousand times… The rigid path could not be walked without hands to balance oneself, that's for sure. Having to go down was like a mix of mountain climbing and tip toeing!

'There's no way this is the path! How did the others bring their harvest with them then?!'

Something felt amiss. Either that or I was just trying to find an excuse to not continue mountain climbing my way to the lower area. Trying to figure out just what seemed wrong, I realized that it was me. Sutow had been the only one in this place, and he also hadn't brought anything with him after discovering this place.

'Damn it! This means that I am taking the right path! There is no easier path!' 

'Sigh…' I felt physically and mentally exhausted. 'Well, I guess this is the only possible way down. This is a rocky cave and tunnels area after all.'

'Unless I have some dynamite! Hehehe…' 

I quickly gave up on this fantasy. It's something that I can not even dream to obtain, as it is impossible!

*Boom*

A sudden noise almost as loud as a firework interrupted my thoughts, and my stability! An explosion seemed to have occurred while I was climbing down with the help of tiny gaps on the wall, and because it just happened to be at such a bad timing, the trembling that came along with the noise caused me to lose my grip and footing on the rock!

Not only me, but everyone that were with me were in this type of unlucky position. We all fell down as a result, some of us on our back, others on their arm.

"Ah!"

Simultaneous wails of pain sounded through the area. A broken bone in the back or the arm, or both! Although the height wasn't more than six meters, it was enough to send our teeth and bones breaking!

Our pained wails naturally drew the attention of those that we had been trying to get to. However, it didn't make a difference whether they heard us or not, as they could only be mere spectators before our injured selves.

Tears disturbed my vision, as the sight of concerned looks all around me looked blurry and wet. I was screaming from the pain in my back and left leg! This scenario, it reminded me of the day I had my bones crushed by weights! For a second, the feeling of death overwhelmed me again. I knew I was going to die, in a similar fate as in the gym too. No, even worse perhaps, as I had no choice but to slowly await my death this time.

'But I don't want to die…' I cried inside my mind.

I felt dread taking over me. This time, my death would be even more gruesome, as it would take forever before I die from either blood loss or starvation.

'Starvation!'

At this moment, I became aware of the slowly increasing hunger in my stomach. I had not felt the sense of hunger earlier because of the excessive pain that I had been in, and because my hunger was still growing with the state of my wellbeing. It seems that the closer I am to death, the hungrier I become…

At this moment, I remembered what I am! I am no longer a normal human from earth! I no longer have to call or wait for help whenever I'm in trouble! 

I've got super powers damn it!

The smell of crushed insects under my back became evident as my hunger increased. It was time for me to eat and recover from these injuries of mine!

Horror struck me when I realized that I couldn't move my body. It seems that not only my back and legs, but my arms too are suffering from injuries! I couldn't move my body further than an inch because of this, and wasn't able to eat as a result. I could do nothing but await my death…

I had completely given up. My eyes were empty as I stared at the faraway darkness of the cave in front of me. But that's when I started hearing songs of hope, in the midst of having given up. A familiar sound of a certain person sobbing, the noise melted in my ears as hope began to awaken inside my heart. I realized, I was not alone this time, moments before my death.

I slowly tilted my head to look at the face of Hazel that I had familiarized all too well already. Hazel, the girl who still cries, even though I had told her to stop crying. But I was glad to hear her cry at that moment however, because that cry is what made me realize that I was not alone. I had succeeded in avoiding one mistake that I had made on earth. Making sure that I do not die alone…

"Food…" I muttered as I stared at Hazel straight in the eye.

This scenery, it was the same as the time I first met Hazel, but with the difference of us having switched roles. I was the one suffering this time, making unfamiliar looking mouth gestures, while being not too far from death.

Fortunately, Hazel was quick to understand me and quick to not hesitate. Perhaps it's because the situation reminded her of the time we first met too, that she knew immediately what I needed. 

"Quick, find the scattered insects! Anything, as long as it can be eaten and as long as you can bring it quick!" Hazel looked at me straight in the eye with a look of hope and worry, as she yelled loud enough for the others to hear clear enough.

Everyone scattered to find food, and only Hazel was left to attend me. Still looking at me straight in the eye, she told me, "I'm going to save you, just like you saved me. I promise!"

Hearing her words, I smiled inwardly. She really was a little angel.. So bright and sweet. A soothing light to the darkness that I am forced to live in in this life.