Chapter 47. The Ascender

CYRUS

Specks of dust line the walls of my lungs, forcing out several hearty coughs from me as I find myself in a dark hollow, gasping for air. For about ten minutes, I slid through a hollow horn-shaped tunnel, sucked in by a strong unknown force after the ground suddenly drew me in.

I am very certain that Azeez and the other crew members will be desperately searching for me or perhaps digging the ground to no avail. I glance around and see nothing but absolute darkness. Using my hands, I begin to search and feel things. Maybe I will touch something familiar. However, only sand and rocks encompass me. My heart begins to race and fear grips my throat.

“Hello!” I groan, but my voice echoes severally as if the enclosure is talking back at me. Minutes begin to pass in the horrid quietness and drops of sweat begin to trickle down my brows and the nape of my neck.

“What have I done this time?” I shake my head, uttering a heartfelt soliloquy. “Every time I drift from