Return to Celio by Sasha Cain

struck a match, lit the torch mounted on the wall, and suddenly warm, soothing firelight bathed the walls of the tunnel.
    He turned to me, grinning. I hadn’t said a word. I don’t think I’d even taken a breath. Being back down here brought back the recent memory of my emotional meltdown when I thought Darrios wasn’t coming back.
    Darrios took a step toward me. “Maggie, are you all right? What is it? You’re as white as a sheet.”
    Despite my efforts to fight them, the tears began streaming down my face again. At least my body wasn’t racked with sobs as well.
    “I’m sorry, but I thought the viocomen got you. I was so frightened,” I sputtered.
    Darrios held me, gently patting my back. “Ssshhh, Maggie, it’s okay. Trust me...It’ll take a lot more than a viocomen to get me. I told you I’d be back. I’m fine, I promise.”
    I regained my composure, stepped away from Darrios, and cleared my throat.
    He smiled at me. “It’s okay. It’s a lot to swallow.”
    I nodded, afraid I might start crying again. My eyes adjusted to the light and I realized we were standing on a wooden platform suspended above the ground. A ladder led to a smaller platform and then another to the ground.
    Darrios climbed down, calling for me to follow.
    Cautiously taking hold of the ladder, I climbed down into the pit. As soon as my feet hit the ground, he grabbed my hand and we were running again. I stopped. “Wait, please,” I panted.
    “Maggie, we’re almost there. One more gate and we’re in. Is it your neck? I could carry you,” Darrios suggested.
    “No...You are not going to carry me. I just need to catch my breath. I’m okay.”
    My neck felt like it was on fire, but I didn’t see the point of whining about it. Turning a corner, we came upon what I thought was a child, until I got closer and heard him speak.
    The man was no more than three feet tall.
    “Code?” the man demanded.
    “Seventeen, clear water,” Darrios replied.
    The man grinned broadly. Darrios broke into a run and rushed him. “Burgess!” he shouted.
    The two men pushed each other, wrestling around a little, and then embraced.
    “Darrios, it’s good to see you. I was worried the way you left before. I thought one of those damned moltergs got you.”
    “Shit, Burgess, that’ll be the day. One of them getting me is about as likely as one of them getting to Inland.”
    “Who is your lovely friend?” Burgess asked, nodding toward me.
    Darrios smiled warmly at me. “This is Maggie. Maggie, this is my friend, Burgess.”
    Burgess extended his hand. I shook it. He motioned for us to follow, then he led us through the door. As soon as we passed through the entrance, it was obvious we’d entered yet another world.
    I gasped as I looked down at Inland. We had come through a door leading from a dark, damp underground tunnel to the bright and airy outdoors on the side of a mountain. I could see for miles. The sun shined brightly and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
    A lush, abundant carpet of emerald-green grass welcomed us and the flowers, that seemed to be everywhere, emitted a fragrance that wafted through the air like a soft breeze.
    Tall trees stood strong and stoic, with bushy tops of varying shades of green. I’d never seen anyplace so beautiful. In the distance, snow-capped mountains loomed majestically, overlooking the land, with rolling hills decorating their bases.
    Crystal clear streams flowed freely with cool, clean water emptying into a sparkling, azure lake. The pristine white beaches beckoned me to run barefoot in their soft powdery sand. The sight took my breath away.
    I didn’t want to leave this place. Standing there, taking in all of that beauty from one single spot amazed me. I would have been content to stay awhile.
    We said goodbye to Burgess, Darrios promising him they would get together soon, and we started on our way. I couldn’t stop staring down upon Inland. My eyes swept over every feature several times. I couldn’t