Thursday 22 January, X42

The Secret of the Cave

The small lumpy figure wanders through the cave like they've done so a thousand times before. The cave is familiar, the ground worn with their footsteps. Perhaps, Avi thinks, she's following this person to work, the cave a shortcut like the forest is to her.

For a second, as she watches the figure pull a chord in front of a mysterious door -- more mysteries -- Avi wonders if she might be intruding on this person's day, on their life, on their job. But that thought only lasts until the door opens, and the figure turns around, and...

"Who are you!" the figure screeches! "You're not supposed to be in here! I can't be seen with you! I can't do this again! Not after last time!"

Avi's thought that she might be intruding has turned into Avi's knowledge that she certainly appears to be doing so.


From the start...