Chapter 100: A Stage of Denial (1/2)
Zinnia had been following the bright light for some time now. Guiding her through the endless abyss. However, the more she followed the light, the more something felt off. Sinister in fact. That warm feeling of love and affection had begun to drip away, leaving something far more unsettling. Although Zinnia felt like she should just stop, run away from the light and never return, she was still captivated by it and with her options being far. Few between this was her best bet. As she kept walking the silence of nothing was met with the crackling of leaves. Zinnia stopped looking down, finding she was walking on broken branches and leaves. She instantly snapped around, finding herself in a forest. One she had no recollection of.
The light had faded, and the empty feeling returned. That was until she felt something tug at her sleeve. ”Excuse me, miss?” Zinnia turned around, finding a little girl looking no older than six or seven wrapped in a blanket covering her body. She looked up at Zinnia with curious black eyes. She had dark skin and long black hair covering one of her eyes. ”Are you lost?”
Zinnia didn't know what to think. She was unsure if this had anything to do with the trials, but she was sure that defeating Alton would pass the second trial. The girl was trembling as Zinnia kneeled to her level. ”I think so, do you know where I am?”
The little girl giggled not taking Zinnia seriously. ”You're in my home.”
”This forest is your home?”
”Yup, yup. I haven't had visitors before. Not since that boy with the tattoos.”
”You mean Monty?” She asked.
”I think that was his name. What is your name, miss?”
”Zinnia. Zinnia Trost.”
”That's a pretty name miss.”
”Thank you. What's your name?”
”My name? I don't really have one. Although the others call me Inakarr.”
”Inakarr? That's a strange name.”
”It is, isn't it? I think it's Hindi. I don't really remember. I tend to forget things.”
”That's ok, Inakarr. Can you help me? I need to get back to my friends, but I'm trapped here, is there a way out?”
Inakarr looked up thinking. ”I think so, that nice boy was also trapped down here for a little while. I wrote it down in my diary. I'll show you, come with me.”
Inakarr took her hand tugging Zinnia with her. Although she still felt something odd, she chose not to question it. If it meant being able to get out, then she would take it. ”Inakarr, you say you live here? In the bunker?”
”Bunker? I don't live in a bunker. That doesn't make any sense.”
Zinnia began thinking about it more. What if this girl was the third trial? Unlike the other two Zinnia had no idea what the third trial would comprise of. It might sound a little crazy, but what if this girl was the third trial. ”Where are you taking me Inakarr?”
”To my super-secret special spot. One where the others can't find me.”
”Others? What others?”
”My family. I like hiding from them. They can be a bit mean sometimes. Especially big sis, her bandages scare me. But I refuse to show it. Inakarr is scared of nothing.” She said, acting brave nodding her head over and over. ”I heard what the others said, they don't think you will pass the trials. Your friends don't believe in you Zinnia. Don't worry, though. Inakarr believes in you miss.”
”You know about the trials?”
”Yup, yup. Many people visit Inakarr's home to face their fears. Deny their weaknesses. I let them come here as it's fun to watch.”
”You let them in here?”
”Years ago, a man found this place, I offered him a place to play with me. A place where he could give up his fears and weaknesses. He agreed and made the trials. I've met many people here. None are quite like you Zinnia!” Inakarr giggled stopping. She looked around shaking. ”We're here. My secret hideout, not even those two know about this place.”
Zinnia saw a small den buried into the ground. Inakarr rushed ahead, jumping into the little den throwing drawings and tiny teddies out. She eventually crawled out, holding a ripped and worn-down diary. Zinnia looked at each of the drawings seeing they were all ripped up or scribbled over. She picked one up frowning. ”Why do you do this to all your pictures?”
”They aren't very good. I'm never happy with them, so I start again.”
”They are good, especially for someone your age. Don't doubt yourself, Inakarr.”