Chloe Mallory - Chapter 8

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The room was silent as the night passed. My head began to pulse heavily, and sweat built upon my head as I softly murmured in my sleep. Before I knew it, I’d awoken in a small and empty space. I felt the cold ground as a small light shone in the center of the room. It was similar to when I first met the fish, but it was slightly different. The light slowly took the shape of a small crab-like creature. Its eyes were large, they protruded from its red shell, and with purplish crystals growing upon its back. It was like something I’d never seen before.

I watched it slowly fall to the ground, standing on its legs before looking around. I slowly made my way towards it. I’d been curious about this little creature ever since the events with the fish; it had to be somewhat important for it to appear once again. Its small legs clattered against the floor, moving in various directions. It seemed unaware of where they’d wanted to go, pacing in place before turning to me. It stared for a moment before suddenly scurrying off into the dark, as its purple light glowed as it continued forward. I followed behind it, wondering what would cause it to run off so fast. My feet would cause an echo with each step. Wondering where it could be taking me in this rather desolate space.

I began to ponder the possibilities of where I could be. Was this a dream? I couldn’t tell, yet this space continued to expand with each step I took behind the peculiar hermit crab. It continued into the darkness, seemingly knowing its way down the path effortlessly. Before I knew it, the crab had stopped in front of what seemed to be another glowing figure in the sky. Its golden glow gave off the shape of a human, as it circulated itself in the center of the larger room. I stood in astonishment, seeing the figure up close. Why was it here? And why did this crab bring me to this place? I tried to question more things about what I was seeing, but a voice called out to me. Its voice was light, but it rang out the same as the fish from before.

“I see…you have soon to be acclimated to this body…”

“Your will is strong, though your body is weak.”

“Will you seek the answers, unknowing of your future?”

“Or will you fail to find what you’re looking for…?”

The words echoed within my mind, causing a heavy ringing to pulse within my head. It felt as if a giant weight had fallen upon my head, crushing it with the pressure of a large weight. I fell to my knees, feeling such pressure grow. I could barely contain my screams as I felt I’d been brought here to suffer from this pain. The crab sat still and watched as I agonized, watching through its big beady eyes. “Why are you…just standing there…help me…!” I struggled to speak, reaching out to the crab as it stared more and more. Why was this crab letting me go through this? Why is this figure hurting me? What did I do?

The pain continued as my eyes slowly began to fade, and I felt I’d soon pass out from the pain. The last thing I could see was the golden figure shining above; it was as if it’d been watching my every move before my body eventually gave out. Knocking me once again into a deep sleep from the pain. It was something I didn’t want to feel again. What did this all mean?