46 Trapped (1/2)

Mina felt intense fatigue. Although her lids were too heavy, she was conscious. She could feel her teeth chattering. It was as if she was inside a freezer. The coldness she felt seeped into her flesh. She wanted to call out for help but she couldn't move. She heard voices around her but she could barely make out the words as she struggled to find warmth.

Using all her willpower, Mina tried to move her hands to call out for help. She felt cold, sharp air moving around her body, making it hard even to breathe. With each second, the feeling became more intense. The air surrounding her became thicker. She could feel herself suffocating as she stood motionless.

'Will I die?'

After struggling against the unknown, Mina felt her mind lose the will to stay strong. Mina was about to let the coldness take over her when she felt the air grow thinner. There was no warmth but some of the coldness dissipated. Her mind became clearer again and she could hear receding footsteps.

With each step, she felt more comfortable.

With renewed vigor, Mina used all her willpower to call out for help. Finally, she felt her eyes open halfway and saw two figures leaving. As the first person made it out of the doorway, the one trailing behind him looked back at her. She saw the same blue eyes she did when she first woke up. Looking at him intently, as if to get the message across, she used all her remaining strength to call out to him.

”Help!”

Mina yelled the words with all her might but her cold lips barely moved. She did not make any sound. Not even a whisper. And with the last ounce of her strength, she was dragged back to nothingness again. This time, however, she lost all consciousness and felt her world go black.

*****

'I'm falling! Falling!'

Tarou tried to brace the fall with his paws but when the free fall stopped, he did not feel anything. His paws were still covering his eyes, afraid that something will go wrong.

Tarou stomped a paw and felt something solid. Sniffing while uncovering his eyes, the familiar scent of his favorite plant assaulted his senses. The dirt under his paws felt familiar and so did the scents.

”I'm back!” Tarou squeaked, jumping around. He felt the change in temperature and from the darkness surrounding him, it seems that hours have passed.

”That was creepy! What was that place!” the mouse mumbled through squeaks. Tarou was about to run towards the exit when he remembered something, and he paused mid-air. He looked around, more cautiously this time. He was about to sigh in relief when he noticed a large figure blocking the way.

Tarou inched closer and sniffed.

'Boss?'

'What is Boss doing here?'

Tarou could only shake his head while looking at the cat in front of him. From the animal's position on the ground, it was clear to see that the cat expended immense effort to enter the space.