ELOISE POV—
After having my... episode, yes, I would call it an episode. I am telling you; I am not weird. Turning away from the now burning forest, I found the same burning forest in front of me. Hmmm, is it some kind of reflection? But, if it was, then my mirror image should be also present there. Maybe this is some kind of illusion. No, this is not the case. This is some kind of veil which reflects the original or the new image of the existing thing. I am not someone who existed here from the very start. My existence is like a foreign object to this plane. So, this veil will not reflect my image. This means that I or any of my body could enter into this. Though I might be wrong, yet I am willing to take the risk. It's the only way.
Placing my hand on the veil, I pushed my hand into it. The result was just as I thought. My hand went through the veil. Seeing this, I pushed my entire body into the veil. Oh, now I am inside a cave. The walls of the cave were acting like mirrors that resulted in the formation of multiple images of mine. The veil was acting like a separation between the forest and the cave. Was there a veil in between the desert and the forest? The roof was shaped like a concave mirror.
I touched the wall of cave and then, tried to push my hand into it. My hand didn't go into the wall as it was firm and smooth. I started walking deeper into the cave. After walking for a few minutes, I found myself in a dilemma.
The road was diverging into three ways— left, right and straight. Which one to choose? Ah, fuck it! I am taking the straight one. Don't think anything illogical, I took this road only because I am straight. Let me tell you one thing, I am not homophobic. Although I want to be, but I don't want to get cancelled.
Choosing the straight one, I entered into it. The air was smelling sweet. What changed was the images on the wall and the roof. This time there were no images that of a plane mirror. The images were of uneven shapes like parabolic, elliptical, wavy, etc.
There was not mirror on the roof whereas the roof has now a creamy appearance. Before this, there was not the slightest change in the any laws of basic physics in this cave. Unless, this is some kind of a danger sign.
The cave started to shake, causing me to fall on my bottom. Fuck! I knew it! I tried to stand on my knees for me to fall again repeatedly. Just as I was going to curse out aloud, the shaking stopped.
'Congratulations on choosing the correct way. You are indeed quite intelligent; I have never seen someone to choose the straight way. Almost everyone had always chose the left one or the right one. You are first one to choose the straight one,' said a heavy voice.
Looking around me in search of the owner of the voice, yet I found no one. It might this cave's conscience or I have finally gone mad. For my peace of mind, I believe the former is correct.
Also, no, you are wrong. I chose this only because my criteria for selection was based on my sexuality. I guess being a straight has its perks. Then, again how the fuck did no one ever choose this path? At least some one must have.
I was thinking why there was nothing weird happening with me, just for this voice to interrupt my thought process. Boom! Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, men and women, and others. We have a very esteemed guest with us. His name is The Voice.
One thing that anybody with a normal IQ and I mean, you can too. Be good, read your books, solve and puzzles and eat your veggies. You can do it too. I know being a teenager and all is messy and taxing, but you need to be realistic. Always reading smutty and harem genre books won't help you get sex or a harem. I also know that reading these things help you to get inner peace and satisfaction, not in a spiritual way but horny way. You are not the Batman or the Ironman. Heck, you are not even the Hawkeye. I am the protagonist, you are not. So, leave that to me. I am the one who can do the impossible, not you.
Ok, back to the main point. Hearing words of The Voice, I can safely conclude that there were people before me, who had attempted this quest and they failed.
I asked, 'Are you the conscience of this cave? A will of some kind? Or perhaps a spirit?'
It replied, 'Yes, indeed I am. You are the first one to identify my identity.' Stop with your crap of first one. I don't have any interest of being the first in anything. So, save your crap for yourself and also, its getting cliché.
'You are annoying. You told me that there were people before me, who took the quest. Where are they?' Honestly, I think they are dead.
It laughed loudly, as if I have told some kind of joke. Its laughing sent shivers down my spine. A psychopath, that's what I am dealing with.
It said, 'Dead! They are all dead. Every single one of them, died in this place. Tortured and brutally killed, all inside of me. Are you afraid?'
I was a bit afraid. For the first time in my entire life, I have never faced an opponent whom I cannot see. Yet, I am excited, very excited.
Calming down my nerves, I said, 'No, I am excited, very much excited to defeat you.'
'Hahaha, I have heard this line so many times. But nobody was able to keep true to their words. You are different but your words, these words are... boring. Please don't be boring. I am in a dire situation. I need some entertainment. I don't care about quantity; I only care about quality. Give me a fantastic performance before you die,' said The Voice with evilness lacing its tone.
Great! Just fucking great! I am dealing with a psychopath. This is what I was lacking in my life. Thank you, God, for giving this wonderful opportunity.