Shadow of Makei

Ela

Ela

“What’s the matter, Sis?” Sarabi’s voice floated out of the darkness. “You scared?”

“Daddy told us not to go in there. And Barata says it’s haunted.”

“Oh gods, you believe that old story? They tell you that so you won’t go in. Don’t be a fool.” Still, Ela

“All right, you ASKED for it that time!” Ela

Sarabi ran on for awhile longer, the turned, gri

Instead, she saw only inky blackness. “La

A faint touch tickled the back of her neck and she screamed, whipping about and striking with her forepaws, feeling the impact as they struck a dark form behind her. A yelp of pain reached her ears, and she froze. “Ela

A choking sob sounded from the blackness. “Sassie, I can’t see anything, it’s so dark, I can’t find the way OUT!”

“Well, it’s right back....” She bumped into the wall. “I guess not.”

Sarabi knelt in the blackness and nuzzled her sister comfortingly. “Don’t worry, we’ll get out of here. Come on.” She felt carefully around in the dark, until her whiskers detected an opening. Moving slowly, so that Ela

“Look, Sassie, light! We’re saved!”

Sarabi peered ahead. Sure enough, a faint glow was detectable in the distance. “Thank Aiheu!”

“You said it!” Ela

“Wait up!” Sarabi slipped on the damp floor, picking herself up slowly. “La

She padded along the tu

Sarabi stood awestruck, unable to answer as she stared at the sight before them.

CHAPTER 15: DARK SECRETS

Ela

“Check this out!”

Ela

“Who cares?” Ela

It glanced off Sarabi’s shoulder and vanished into the pool with a sharp FZZZZT! sound.

Sarabi glanced curiously in the water, which lay undisturbed by the intrusion. “I don't see it. Where’d it go?” She leaned over the surface, her chin nearly touching the dark water.

“I don’t know.” Ela

Ela

Then suddenly, it DID move.

The lovely visage of Sarabi twisted and writhed in the pool’s surface, leering and gibbering silently at her, a vision from her worst nightmares. It raised a paw, as if beckoning her to jump in and join the fun, waving its paw.

Horrified, Ela

Sarabi blinked and looked at her. “What?”

“Get your paw out of there!” Ela

An implacable grip seized Sarabi’s paw and began to pull. She gaped down horrified, her claws extending uselessly as she began to slide across the cavern floor towards the edge. “LANNIE!! HELP ME!”

A strangled cry emerged from Ela

Sarabi’s weight shifted as the grip on her paw vanished, sending her flying back to land on Ela

Presently, they saw light ahead again, and slowed. Ela

The two burst forth from the cave mouth into the warm sunlight, breathing great lungfuls of sweet sava

“Uff! Cool it, kids! Where have you two been? I’ve been calling you for an eternity!”

“Uhh...we were just playing.” Sarabi dredged up a grin with an effort. “Right, La

“Sure!”

“Well, next time, you come right away when I call you. We’re getting ready to go hunting, and I want you two to come along.”

“Yes ma’am.” The two sat quietly until Avina had left. “What happened, Sassie?”

“I don't know. All I know is I never want to go in THERE again!”

“Me neither. I won’t tell if you won’t.” Ela