Follow the Voice

I jump up, breathing heavily. I look around my surroundings for anything that would be a danger to me. I swear the dream was so real. I thought those looking for me had entered the cave and taken me captive. I could feel the silver cuffs on my wrists and a knee in my back. I fully expected to be locked up when I opened my eyes.

The cave is still pretty dark, with a slight shine from a tiny opening at the top of the cave. The water is still moving, and it’s enticing me. My mouth is extremely dry, so I jump into the water and swim to the other side, where the small waterfall is. I drink my fill and paddle back to the other end.

Maybe I should just leave right now. I should go out there and try my luck with those looking for me. It may do me better to just be captured. I won’t have to live like an animal anymore. I can go where I can lay my head on something soft rather than a dirt floor.

The more I think about it, the more getting captured appeals to me. If I can surrender without being killed, I can return to the hospital and live there. I don’t know what I was thinking when I left, but it was a mistake. I was following this stupid urge, bringing me nothing good.

They’re getting closer. I look around the cave like a stupid person. I know there’s no one here but me. They will come into the cave; they will find you.

Hazel, is that you? There’s no response, and now I’m getting worried. I feel like I’m losing my mind, and that’s scarier than getting captured.

You have to leave. You need to get out of the cave.

“I already planned to get out of the cave. I’m going to go right out there and let them have me. This is crazy, and I’ve had enough adventures to last me a lifetime.”

Come to me…..I want you to come to me. Who the hell does this voice belong to? I’ve had enough of voices trying to run my life. I climb out of the water and look around the cave again. There’s nothing in here that’s mine. I should just get out of here while I can. If I allow them to come in here after me, I will most likely die. Please, come to me……

I don’t know what it is, but that urge is back. I can feel my body being taken over by the feeling that I have to follow this voice; I have to see what it leads to. This is what made me leave the hospital in the first place. This is what took me away from everything I know and everything I love. Here am I about to follow it again; I must be nuts. The problem is that I just can’t fight the urge. I can’t say no to the voice, no matter how badly I may want to.

I look around the cave, wondering how I’m supposed to escape. I feel that if I don’t follow the voice, my insides will explode. I jump back in the water and paddle around. I make my way back to the small waterfall and notice a breeze. I didn’t realize it before. A breeze means there is air in the cave. Air can’t just appear out of nowhere; that air has to be from outside. There has to be a way out of this cave, and it’s behind the waterfall. Yes, follow the air. It will lead you out.

I paddle through the waterfall and find a rock. I place my hands on the rock and feel the air on the edge of the stone. I move my hands around, trying to see if I can move the rock or something. A clattering sound makes me pause. I stop and try to strain my ears. It’s hard to hear anything over the movement of water. I think someone may be in the cave.

I continue to move my hands around the rock, and I feel it start to give. I continue to move it, and it slowly rolls to the side. There is a tiny opening behind the rock that leads to a tunnel. This is a weird ass cave, but if I want out, I guess I have to follow it. I quickly crawl into the tunnel and follow it. I have to rely on touch because it’s too dark to see anything. I wish for the end of the tunnel because it’s torture going through it. My knees and hands are being ripped to shreds by the rocks in the tunnel.

I don’t know how long or how far I travel. I’m tired and in pain, but I keep pushing. I push forward, and my knees hit something soft. I keep going, and I can feel leaves touching my bare body. I put my hand down, and I fall hard. I tumble forward and fall on my back. I look up at a canopy of trees. There is a little bit of light shining through. The animals are speaking along with the insects. I fight to get on my feet, and I look forward. I can see a glowing blue light in the distance.

Follow the light, and you will find me. I guess I’m pushing forward.

~Unknown~

I almost lost her, I know. I don’t know what made her change her mind, but I’m grateful she did. I need her here. I need her with me. The time will come to free me from this place in a few days. I can’t go unless I have my love. She’s so close, so very close.

I sit on my throne and place my leg over the arm of the chair. I’m not a patient man, but I’ve had no choice in the matter. I have to wait for her to come to me, and I only get one chance. Soon, Aida, soon we will be one. Soon, she will be here and will be mine. Soon, everything I’ve worked for will come to fruition.