93 Mass Grave (1/2)

I slided down into a pitch black hole. My ankles were hurting because of the fall. During the short fall, I had spent a lot of effort in order not to accidentally hit myself with the pickaxe. It was truly amazing that I was still alive, while it was so easy and simple to die...

I had no idea where I was. The only source of light was the hole above me which had sent me down here. I could only see one or two meters ahead at best. I had a wall near me, but there was nothing else to see. I raised the pickaxe and hit the sides of the hole to enlarge it; this way, I could see more easily. As I hit the pickaxe, small rocks and pieces of cement started falling from above. I immediately regretted my desicion. A small rock hit my right shoulder and bounced off.

”I swear, this building defies the laws of physics.” I said. My voice echoed a few times. I wasn't expecting that.

”Hello!” I said, and listened to the echoes again. It was clear that there was a large emptiness in front of me.

”Is there anyone down here?” I said. My voice echoed and faded out again. It was the only thing I could hear. I gathered my courage and stepped forward into the darkness. Listening to my own steps, I walked a few meters ahead and suddenly hit my head.

”Ouch.”

There was something in front of me. I hesitantly inspected it with my hand, and I realised it was a door after I found the doorknob. I turned the knob and the door silently opened. However, just afterwards, it got stuck. I couldn't push it further, and the gap wasn't enough for me to get through. I thought the pickaxe could be useful.

”The pickaxe!” I said loudly. It wasn't in my hand. ”I must have forgotten it back where I fell.” I thought. I wasn't going to try to go back.

I got away and pushed the door with my foot. After a short struggle, I could manage to push the door further. I got past the door, navigating in the dark with the help of my hands.

It suddenly got cold. This was usually a sign of the presence of The Community.

”Not you again!” I said and stopped where I was. I waited for a minute or two, but nothing happened.

”Perhaps it really is just cold in here...” I said and kept walking slowly. As I progressed further, it began smelling really bad. Trying to breathe through my mouth, I continued.

Suddenly, I heard a faint voice in the hallway and froze in terror.

”Stop torturing us!”

Scared, I began looking around in panic even though I couldn't see anything in the dark. My breathing got a lot heavier.

”Set us free!”

Interestingly, those words ringed a bell. I may have heard these exact words somewhere before, but my memories weren't clear enough.