Page 283 of Volik

Surely, this is something I should avoid.

An extra big raindrop hits the back of my head.

“Fuck it.” I give in to the insanity and step into the dark cave.

The quiet is instant. And without the wind, the cold is slightly better. But only slightly, because my jean shorts are sticking to my thighs and my thin long-sleeved shirt is plastered to my body. And even though all of this is freaking impossible my hair is wet and strands are stuck to my face and oh my gods I can’t.

Reaching up, I bundle my hair into a clumpy ponytail at the base of my neck and tug one of my stretchy bracelets off, using it as a makeshift hair tie. But my curls are too thick, and the bracelet isn’t meant for this, so once around is all I manage.

With my hair loosely contained, I drop my arms to my sides and sigh.

I should just stand here and wait for my brain to take me back to reality.

My feet step forward.

I should not walk deeper.

But my feet keep moving.

Great. I’m in control of nothing.

It’s like when I cut my thumb.

I didn’t mean to put my blood into my mouth. It just… happened.

I try to stop my next step. But I give up when my body doesn’t listen.

This isn’t real.

Who cares where I’m going.

My wet socks slap against the ground with each step.

You’re going insane, Rune. That’s where you’re going.

The passage is not wide, but the ceiling of the cave is high overhead making it feel less claustrophobic.

I keep going.

I shouldn’t be able to see in here.

It should be too dark.

But as I continue to walk deeper into the mountain, I can see just fine.

It looks like the cave might curve back out to an exit. But directly ahead of me…

I walk forward.

Toward the giant flat rock leaning against the wall.

It feels out of place.

I reach up and rub my palm over my chest.

I feel… weird.

A low vibration rolls through the floor, and I freeze.