Dust (Of Dust and Darkness) - By Devon Ashley Page 0,38
minute. Willow seems to be processing what I tell her, her eyes darting side to side, expressing the calculations she was reading in her head. She slowly begins to nod her head in agreement. “Yeah, it’s possible.”
“Willow, it’s more than possible. We know these spriggans don’t stay here at night. There’s no reason to since we can’t fly out of the pit to walk away anyway. There’s a world around us to hide in. All we have to do is run.”
“Run? Rosalie, most of these pixies don’t even understand the concept anymore. Sure, we could probably walk them out of here during the night if we could find a way out of the pit, but run? Any pixie not lucid at this point will still be a prisoner by morning’s light. And we can’t just leave them here to fend for themselves. They’ll die.”
She’s right. And I know it. That’s why my chest suddenly feels heavier. As much as I want to be free, I could never do it at their expense. “What if I just run? You stay here and keep the others alive. I’ll run and bring back help.”
“Rosalie, think about what you’re saying. Every day we have like ten spriggans in the area. You’re one pixie. Who can’t fly. You’ll never make it during the day. I’m fine if you want to find a way to escape but you need to do it during the cover of night. If they catch you they’ll throw you back in the hole for an extended period of time. Do you know what happens to those pixies?”
I shake my head.
“Of course you don’t. Because the pixies that come back refuse to speak of it. And you’ve never met one of those pixies because every single one of them committed suicide shortly after being released.”
Her eyes dart to the sky and mine soon follow. Spriggans are descending.
“I know I can make it. I can. And if I don’t, I know I’m strong enough to survive the hole.” She’s shaking her head at me, more forcefully with each additional word that flows from my mouth. “Willow, it’s worth the risk.”
Right then a spriggan attaches to my back and lifts me away. I see the concern on her face and I can read her silent words perfectly. Don’t. Don’t do it.
But I’ve already made up my mind. I believe with all my heart the risk is worth it and I’m strong enough to deal with the unknown if my attempt fails.
I’m the first pixie to fall in line and I keep my head down and my expression filled with defeat. I will not let on what I’m about to do. I will be a good, submissive pixie, numb and lifeless, my feet shuffling along the trail because I’m too tired to pick them up.
But I’m not tired. And I’m not lifeless. Adrenaline surges through my bloodstream, bringing a newfound life to every part of my body. I sense excitement in what I’m about to do. I sense confidence. I can do this. I will break free. And I will return with help to free the rest.
They will not keep my freedom.
As I near the cave, I don’t take my place at one of the tables inside. Instead I veer my lazy body off to the side, picking up a basket, continuing to shuffle my feet along. The spriggan leading us now stands guard at the entrance. The others are still hovering around, watching the line. The moment I clear the corner of the cave I take off, dropping the basket so I can pump my arms for more speed. I don’t know if there’s anyone chasing me. I’m sure they are, but by foot or by air, I can’t hear them either way.
I take a straight shot. I refuse to weave in and around the trees, knowing my best bet is to get to the forest as fast as possible to hide amongst the foliage. My legs are burning because I’m not used to doing anything but standing. My knees ache every time my foot pounds the ground and I feel my thigh muscles strain as I stretch to extend every stride to the max. I run and run and run, but all I see are dying trees and dried-out compacted dirt, the forest whipping past me in shades of the dullest tans and browns ever.
Suddenly, there’s a tingling sensation dancing along the hairs on my skin. My heart leaps with joy as I