Total pages in book: 169
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 156210 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 781(@200wpm)___ 625(@250wpm)___ 521(@300wpm)
What. The. Hell.
Then a screeching that almost deafens me echoes above. I know bat cries when I hear them, and there must be hundreds of them here. I crouch in terror when the calls get closer along with the thunderous flap of hundreds of wings.
Like a wave, they swish through the air above me. All I can do is wait, as a few fly close enough to push off my tiara. It lands in the rising water, and I desperately pat the ground under the surface, but just as I think I’ve found it, a strong wave takes it away. The pull of the cold water is so intense it forces me to my knees, but at least it seems all the bats are gone now, and I can continue my trek to the beach.
Maybe it is best that I don’t linger. What could I possibly do with the tiara back in the real world? If I tried to sell it, surely I’d get reported for theft and get in all sorts of trouble, because it’s not like regular people keep such items in the attic.
As I walk through the water now spilling into my boots and soaking my feet, my thoughts return to the way Kyranis smiled at me this morning and how excited he seemed about my presence. No guy ever gave me this much attention, but I don’t know the culture of this place, and he’s the literal ruler. No one can guarantee he wasn’t being nice for the sake of winning me over. Once we married, I’d be tied to him, and how could I be sure of my safety then, especially in the light of what Vinia told me?
A desperate squeaking stops me in my tracks and forces my thoughts into the present. I want to trudge forward and out of the caves, but the pull on my heart is instant. That did not sound like an angry bat. It was a cry for help.
But how am I supposed to help any other creature if I drown? The first rule of helping others is to make sure you’re secure first. So, with my heart in my throat, I rush forward. Once I know how far I am from the exit, I’ll be able to decide—
The bat squeaks again, and I turn around without thinking. I can’t just leave it there. It might have gotten injured by a falling rock. And I could save it if it’s close.
A wave pushes at the sides of my knees, but I keep myself steady and raise the lantern, scanning the nearby rocks as I follow the distressed squeaks. With the light shaking in my hand, it's difficult to spot anything, but in the end, I find a little critter wriggling in the water in a pathetic attempt to climb out.
The animal is… vaguely similar to a bat, even though its purple fur is nothing short of extraordinary.
It’s also much larger than any bat I’ve seen in person, and in truth looks more like a rabbit with demon wings. It has big yellow eyes, long ears and a bit of youthful chub. Can it still be a pup?
“It’s okay, little guy. I’ve been helped tonight too. I’m not leaving you behind.”
With my heart in my throat, I extend my hand, palm up, ready for a potential bite. But it whines, looks into my eyes and licks my finger with its warm tongue. I sigh in relief and try to assess what’s wrong with it as quickly as possible. Its wing is bent out of shape, most likely broken.
The fuck can I do in this situation?
“Oh, baby…” I coo to it, bringing the lantern closer with a sinking feeling.
Should I… take it?
A wave hits my thighs, once more reminding me that I’m running out of time. I rip my cape off and take in the trembling creature. It’s not trying to run or attack me, as if it understands I’m the only one who would hear its plea for help. For all I know, this baby could be venomous, but I couldn’t look at my face in the mirror if I left it to die.
I open the silver rib cage, take it off, then cover my hands with the fine fabric of the cloak. I pick up the bat and wrap it, both for its comfort and to protect myself from its sharp claws. I’m still hesitant about my next move, but when the wave reaches my groin, I throw caution to the wind. I wrap the cape over my other arm and swaddle the bat against my side. Tucked inside the cocoon, it calms down rather fast.
I can’t believe I’m doing this, that I’ve lost so much time, but when I feel the tiny body shiver against me, I know going back for it was the right thing to do, but I shouldn’t waste a moment longer.