Book.1 - Part3. - Shattered Horizons

"Sometimes I awaken from deep states of sleep without remembering I ever went to sleep. It is as if my body abruptly shuts down, like an unplugged computer. It is in those times that my deepest most replenishing rest is accomplished, as my soul takes a break and my heart slows. For a brief time there is no sound that can break the silence in my mind and is no force can shake my body hard enough to prompt a frenzied awakening. I only awaken when my body has had just enough of what it needs to start going again. After those kinds of fits of sleep I always arise with a numb feeling in my face and I am confused for a brief moment, having no idea of where I am or how I got there, and then all at once it comes rushing back to me, the present, and in that moment the realization of how much rest I really haven't gotten simply hurts... but, life goes on."

When I awoke the night was lit alive by two moons that sat next to each other like giant eyeballs. My pulse rifle was completely charged and my body was crusted in dried blood. Everything was stale and still very quiet, except for the faint dripping of water I could hear coming from deep within the cave. I stared out of the tiny entrance into the night's planet filled sky. I thought of my family, they were so far out of my reach. I prayed I would see them again. I had to, I would not give up. I would not let this place end me. Frustrated, my soul wrenched, I cried of blasphemy to the heavens for putting me here. I knew deep down the fault was only within myself, but I wouldn't admit it. Not then.

It wasn't until I sat up and looked deep into the darkness where the dripping was coming from that I saw the eyes.
Hoping that they hadn't noticed me, I instantly stilled. I didn't even grab for my gun. I held my breath. Whatever it was, it seemed to have been staring in my direction long before I realized it was there. I hoped there was a chance it hadn't seen me at all, perhaps it couldn't see me.

I was wrong.

The eyes were a deep red, and like burgundy diamonds they glistened in the night's natural light. I remained there trembling against the wall yet making no sudden movements. I was terrified and I was ready.

It took no time for it to be upon me, erecting its long slender head from the darkness. Thick saliva dripped heavily from exposed holes on the sides of its mouth. The globs of the reddish mucus smacked loudly on the rocky moist cave floor. It stared intrinsically into my eyes, as if searching for the life strings to my soul.

Its nostrils flared and exhaled a smell of raw death. Its limbless body swayed slowly back and forth as if struggling to maintain balance of its oversized head. Its plated skin shimmered hypnotizing colors. My heart accelerated terribly fast. I shook with fear - never had I experienced something so hideous, yet beautiful at the same time. What I could see of its body was long, heavy, and blatantly powerful. I clung to the depths of my soul trying not to lose my mind, determined to keep my sanity. It could have wrapped me within its grip and squeezed the life from me with ease, devouring my existence, but the beast only stared. It just wavered there only inches from my face, instilling utter dominance.

When it licked me, its slithering tongue was hard and wet but felt unbelievably soothing. The pain in my wounds began to dull and dissolve. Tension in my shoulders disappeared and suddenly the shaking ceased. I didn't understand what this monstrosity had done to me, but I knew it was not right.

Just then a beeping green light reflected in my eyes and when I glanced over, so did the beast.

I didn't exactly know why I activated it. Why I detached the grenade from behind my back and rolled it forth. Perhaps it was the fear of the unknown, an embedded weakness rooted deeply into the very foundation of my human condition. A preservation mechanism. Or simply my undeniable will to survive and the belief that I would one day return to my family. I couldn't take any chances. The creature had not yet presented any harm, in fact it seemed to help me, but it also exuded dominance. It was a presence of undeniable power that could too easily destroy me if it so chose. In this world I had to maintain the upper hand. I could not allow myself to fall.

The light on the fragment grenade switched to yellow and then accelerated.  There were only seconds for me to gain escape. It was in that moment, while the creature was distracted by the flashing lights that I slammed my recto-saber into its neck. The monster looked at me for just a moment, as if confused by my actions. Then it dropped silently contorting uncontrollably. With angst I pulled my saber free from its knotting body, grabbed my pulse rifle and fled. The monster contracted, hissing a morbid scream and then with all its might it struck for me.

But it was too late.

The explosion was loud and powerful, it sent an array of shrapnel and sharp rock flying everywhere. The monster caught the bulk of it. Its lifeless body crashed down onto the soiled dirt floor. The blast threw me to the ground. The thunderous sound rocked the hidden caverns, erupting my compromised sanctuary into an almost certain death trap. The exit was so close, I could see the dark horizon from where I lay, and then the ceiling came down.

When the giant boulders settled into place I could taste the layer of dust that was thrust upon me, but I couldn't see anything, not even my hands when I placed them directly in front of face. There was no way out. The cave had turned a pitch black tomb ...

To be continued.