Look What the Cat Dragged Out

Having shackled the girl’s feet and hands in iron, they felt fairly confidant that she was rendered helpless especially given her physical condition. Her back looked like ground up meat, bloody and red with bits of flesh hanging off, it was amazing that she could walk up right at all. Her matted hair hung limply around her young face that was now discolored and scabbed over. Looking down at her hands, the purple creature wondered how she was able to hold anything, much less a pick ax, for her they were covered in oozing blisters and raw flesh. Even her feet were a mess, they looked to have maybe been delicate and pretty at one time but now they were bruised and cut. The lizard/man was completely baffled as to why this woman was placed in the pit to begin with, never had he seen such a thing since he had been the Keeper of the Pit. After placing her in the lift, he watched as the human and the ork disappeared into the dark hole that would deliver them out of the despised pit.


* * * * *


Alex waited until they were sufficiently hidden in the darkness of the shaft before jumping into action. With one swift movement she wrapped the chain from her wrist shackling around the green creatures neck, holding the chain tight until the creature’s hands dropped and his head rolled to one side. Quickly she grabbed the keys from the guard’s belt and unlatched the heavy cuffs on her feet and wrists. Taking over the pulley, she continued the ascension out of the pit. She hoped against hope that the two-headed giant would not be at the top waiting on her.

As luck would have it, the top of the hole was completely abandoned. Pulling out the stone in her pocket she studied the new map, looking for the tunnel that Lith had told her to go to. Having pinpointed its location, she pocketed the rock and began working her way through the maze of tunnels.

She arrived at the designated spot with little incident. Standing in the shadows, she spotted a pair of emerald green eyes. Stepping out of hiding, she approached the whiskered face.

“So glad you could make it” purred the warm voice. “Are you ready to get out of this rat infested place?”

“More than ready.” Came Alex’s enthusiastic reply. She no longer cared how all of this was coming together or how these creatures knew about her, she just wanted out of the mountain.

Alex followed the orange and yellow striped tail as it maneuvered through a narrow tunnel that was made by some sort of burrowing animal. She crawled on her hands and knees through the winding passage some times having to scoot on her belly because the space was so small. She battled the fear of claustrophobia with thoughts of breathing in fresh air and seeing the sky once more. Again she wondered if it was night or day outside of the mountain.

After what felt like an eternity, they finally emerged out of a small rocky hole on the side of the mountain. Alex used her hands to shield her eyes from the sun’s painfully bright light. Her guide seemed to be understanding of her plight and gave her time to allow her eyes to adjust.

“Rest for a moment and breathe in the fresh air” purred her guide. And Alex did just that.

From their vantage point high up on the mountain she was able to look out past the forest. The view was breathtaking, never had she seen such a large town with buildings so high, they looked as though they could touch the sky. The streets were spotted with people and motor cars. Some of the homes looked big enough to hold the entire Confederate Army, yet on the other side of town were little tiny shacks that looked too run down to live in - such diversity in one place. Her attention shifted to the endless ocean that lied within walking distance of the town. The large mass of water went on as far as the eye could see, leaving Alex feeling small and insignificant. Along the shore and in the water were several boats, she was amazed by the number of sailing vessels in the area.

“How did we do all of this?” she asked with awe, not really expecting an answer.

“Come, Alexandra, we don't have much further"

Anxious to get some distance between her and the mountain, Alex quickly got to her feet and began following the striped fur ball down the mountain. She had assumed the descent would be fairly easy; however, the lack of shoes was a great hindrance. Not only were the tops of her feet bruised and cut but now the bottoms were too causing their progress to slow down. Her body screemed with protest of so much movement but she pushed the pain away by focussing on her freedom.

They were approaching the base of the mountain when a loud horn blew a long and hollow note.

“They know you are gone. We must get you away from here before nightfall.”

Gathering energy from deep within, they quickly made their way over the rocky terrain. Reaching the bottom with a few hours of daylight left Alex vowed to never step foot in the mountain again.

“Here, we will let your feet rest by the purple ‘unilimb tree' while I decide our next course of action."

Alex quietly followed, enjoying the sensation of the soft grass underneath her sore feet and the light breeze blowing on her face, a blissful medicine all in its own.