Pandora's Box

Chapter 34

Alexander’s Point of View

After hours of working with these electrical wires, I released a breath of relief, after I saw all of it ready to be put outside.

I volunteered and Echo is with me.

I did not allow my sister to go outside when it is so dangerous.

So, here is the equipment that we will use outside. A headlamp, so no more hassle on holding a flashlight, and some tools that will help us to put those wires outside. My sis hugged me as if this will be the last time that we will meet.

Just to give her assurance, I hugged her as tight as possible that I could think of.

I was her only treasure, and she’s my treasure too. Her feeling resonates with me.

I won’t allow her to worry for me.

Echo tapped my shoulder, and I looked at her and she made a clicking sound.

Meaning that it’s time for us to go outside and put all those, wires.

I took a deep breath.

The memory that I faced death flashes inside my mind.

This is it, another chance to face my fears. But I still feel like that I am a child, here trying to impress my parents by doing something brave.

I took multiple deep breathes...

I am nervous.

I can feel my hands is starting to get sweaty.

I can feel my hands shaking.

But for me this is a chance, and since Echo and sis don’t want to inform others about what’s happening here. Technically speaking, there is no choice...

I was the only choice.

And if there are other choices, then I will never be the choice. First of all, my sister won’t allow me to do this.

Because she knows that I am...

I bit my lower lip.

Afraid.

My feet are heavy, and as I take every step, I can hear my heart beating. So loudly... It was beating fast too.

I took multiple deep breathe again.

Echo led the way.

I followed her.

She opened the entrance door and now we speculated that the creature, trying to get in is gone because it was thirty minutes ago, when it stopped. We gave a time allowance just to make sure.

She opened the door. By placing her hand on the scanner. The scanner glowed green, meaning that it was unlocked.

It slowly opened and as I watch it opens.

Wooh...

Echo looks at me and I think that she noticed that I am extremely nervous. She gave me a wink and a smile which seem like that she does not fear anything.

That gave me some confidence. Heads up, I followed her outside.

“Why are you scared?” she asked me while giggling. I think me being scared is not funny.

I just shrugged my shoulder, why should I tell her? I mean I am really afraid but I know that I am not supposed to tell anybody how I feel.

It’s my choice if I want to tell them or not.

She did not mutter a single word; she just walks outside. We turned on our headlamps, and it emits a bright light. This is very useful because the place here is very dark. I don’t know what to say.

I just looked around. The rock formation was okay, but not clean.

They just dug here to give an open space, for the construction of this facility to go through. That is something that I should not talk about. I guess?

But yeah, this is something that I can make use of.

Familiarizing with the place, especially that is so dark here will help us a lot.

I mean if something happened, something dangerous that will require us to escape their grasp would be super helpful I mean.

I guess?

I am being so pessimistic right now.

“Hey,” I heard echoes voice and I snapped back to reality.

Then I saw her waving her hand in front of me. I just smiled at her.

“Sorry,” I told her.

“You are scared,” she told me and that was not a question. It doesn’t sound like one. “You want to go back inside? I can handle this alone,” she told me.

For some reason, my pride was dented when she told me that. I won’t allow her or them to have what they want. I will do, what I want.

“No,” I told her with full conviction in my voice. She scanned my face, trying to find, even a little bit of fear on my face. But sorry you won’t find any fear.

In all honesty, I was just lying to myself.

Ugh!

I need to do this. If I stay afraid then nothing will change.

What if Jen is in great danger? Then I am there by her side. What will I do?

Will I be petrified in fear while I watch her face her dea-

No... just imagining it, wants me to explode in anger.

That’s why I am here. To face my fears. To move my feet when faced with the most terrifying dangers of all time.

In the end, I just wanted to save Jen when something is trying to kill her.

The last time she was the one who saved me, and my pride was crushed. I mean, I was the one trying to impress her.

I was the one trying to protect her.

But why was the table turned upside down?

I wanted to be the one that will protect her.

But I was the one, who was petrified in fear. I was the one who stood there and did nothing as I watch death swing his scythe towards my neck. Then there she is. She pushed me aside. She did push me aside and save me when I should be the one doing that to her.

Maybe this is my redemption.

A redemption that I am looking for.

It’s okay that she does not know at least I saved her. That’s how I feel about this, so don’t think ill of me.

I just watched her looking around circling the place. Maybe this is the third time that she completely circled the area.

“Saw something?” I asked her and when she looked at me, her eyes widened and her body was petrified. Is that fear in her face?

Why?

For some reason, I can feel fear creeping into my chest. Just give me a reason to be afraid.

She pointed behind me.

I can feel my cold sweat dripping down my body.

I closed my eyes, as I breathe heavily.

When I opened my eyes again, she was near me.

I yelped and jumped back then I fall on the ground with my butt, and the next thing I heard was her bursting out of laughter. I looked at her.

“Really?” I asked her.

“Yes, really,” she told me. “Go back, I can handle this,” she added while pointing to the half-open entrance.

My eyes twitched because I am sure that should close after we stepped outside.

“Why is that open?” I asked her.

“Don’t change the to-,“ she didn’t finish her statement when she saw the door half-open. She used both of her hands to cover her mouth. “Oh my god!” she yelled in panic.

She run towards the shelter and I did too after I stood up. I followed her inside. Then we saw the two just sipping their coffee.

We worried at nothing...

We both catch our breath because earlier, we thought that there is something that got inside here and will put them in danger. I am just glad that there is nothing to fear.

Then I looked at her and smiled because it means that we should continue our task outside.

“You stay here,” she told me while pointing to the ground.

“What?” I asked her.  

“I said you will stay here,” she repeated herself.

“Why?”

“You are afraid, dude,” she told me.

“But I can handle it,” I told her.

“No, you can-“

But before she finishes her statement, I lunged at her and hold her hand and we are close to each other now. I can feel her warm breath.

Thankfully, Jen is not here to see, because we stepped outside after making sure that everything is fine.

“Please,” I told her. I guess this is my way to show her that I am courageous to take risks, and I don’t want Jen having the wrong idea about us.

Her eyes widened, it’s clear that she is startled, but how am I supposed to shut her up?

This is my way of doing that.

“This is very important to me, so please...” I begged her. “I want to do something useful for one,” I told her again and she just looks at me and nodded. Good...

Then I released her.

She is catching her breath.

“Sorry,” I apologized I must have invaded her personal space. “I will not do it again,” I added. Then she slapped my arm real hard, and she walked away.

She was upset about my actions. I am sorry about that.

Ouch.

It hurts.

I followed immediately.

Echo’s Point of View

What was he thinking?

That dude almost gave me a heart attack. My heart is racing, why? He is sexually harassing me! I need to call the police.

I regret not letting him come. I am so pissed right now, and I don’t want to see even a single strand of his hair.

But he is there, still following me. I can feel it. As if nothing happened.  But I don’t have the strength and confidence anymore to face him. It was already drained. All drained up.

Dude...

I am so frustrated right now.

I want to slap his face. I already slapped his arm.

Ugh!

I just want this to end fast.

Jennifer’s Point of View

“Well, that was weird,” I told Dr. Sarah but she seems nervous too just like the other two earlier. “Why are you all nervous, over an open door?” I asked her. She looked at me.

“N- nothing,” she answered my question then she took another sip on the coffee.

“Then there is nothing to worry about,” I told her.

“Can you check the door for me?” she asked.

“Sure,” I accepted without second thoughts.

I stood up and I went to the door just to check if its close.

“Well, it’s close,” I told myself.

Then I turned around and heard a scream. I ran as fast as I could.