The cold, wet walls did not stop this brave, young girl from moving in deeper into the dark cave. Very deep and dark, she could barely make out any shape. She heard the echoes of rushing water beyond the cave. A stream, most likely.
She held up her lantern, adjusted the strap of the bulky leather bag on her right shoulder and pressed on, determination in her gait. She went a step at a time into the cave. The lantern was not bright enough to lighten her way, a speck of amber light in the thick darkness.
Silence. She could hear herself breathing, hoping that this sacrifice is worth it. Images of her weak, arthritic mother on her mat flashed through her mind. Anything to have her energetic mama back again. She shivered a little and walked on.
Hiss. She stopped as her heart skipped a beat. She listened, just to be sure she heard right. Then she heard the slithering sound of something followed by a scratch on the wall. She stayed rooted to the spot as goosebumps spread all over her skin.
Hiss. The scratching sound seem closer to her. She breathed faster. She had been adviced to close her eyes whenever she heard any strange sound in the cave.
Her curiosity got the better of her. She cracked an eye open… she stopped breathing for some seconds. What is this? She starred directly into a pair of glowing, emerald eyes. Her eyes widened a bit more to see clearly into the dark. It was a black furred cat, starring at her.
She blinked and it blinked too. "Meow! Young lady, what are your prayers?" She heard the cat say. Since when do cats talk like humans? Her scream got stuck in her throat as she lost consciousness, remembering too late the advice she was given by the village council leader.
I hope you enjoyed reading my piece. This short story is a five-minute freewrite inspired by the prompt "emerald eyes". Join @freewritehouse to receive daily prompts, hosted by @mariannewest.