Lost in the Derelict
“I want to turn back.”
The words kept tumbling around in my head. I’d led us here into the Derelict. Now, Flint and I had realized that it was the height of folly. Flint wanted to go back; it was my duty to get us out safely. But, I feared, there was no way of turning back now.
In the Derelict, we were cut off from the rest of our world. There was nothing here for either of us in this forsaken ruin. And if we didn’t make it out, we’d be a long time without food.
I gave a furtive glance and eyed a strange and grotesque berry-like organism growing by an iron gate. Though I had seen a few previously, even I wasn’t fool enough to try and eat it. I felt Flint move behind me.
“Don’t even think of eating it.”
“But-” Flint started, levity dancing in his eyes.
“Flint, no.”
“Amy?”
I turned and looked over my shoulder at Flint. “Yeah?”
“Are we lost?”
I stared at an achingly familiar wrought iron fate, “Not that I know of.”
“Meaning we’re lost.” Amended Flint, this time only with a small smile that didn’t really quite reach his eyes.
I sighed. “Yeah, we’re lost.” My shoulders slumped. I’d thought that maybe I’d be able to lead us out.
As I spoke, I tripped over a wire and fell face-first into the sludge that littered the bottom of the Derelict. I felt hopeless as I lay on the ground, too tired to push myself back up.
“Flint, I don’t think we’re making it out of here.”
“You promised that you’d keep me safe.” I could hear the accusation, the fear, and the pain in his voice.
“I know. And, I’ll do everything I can to get us out, to keep us safe. But I don’t know what I could-“
I paused and looked up; there were towering steel skyscrapers everywhere. And the entrance to one was just a couple dozen feet off to my left.
“Alright, Flint. I’ll see what I can do.”
I entered the building warily. After all, I did my best to skirt around the skyscrapers whenever possible. I could never be sure of the structural stability of the ruins. So, I tentatively stepped on one of the iron grate steps. There was absolutely no way I’d trust my life with a shaky elevator.
It was strenuous to climb the steps; many were missing. The entire climb was precarious. I looked down many times; many times did I contemplate and regret my choice to ascend the rickety stairwell. And yet I persisted.
Sweat beaded down my face. Near the top of what felt like forty stories, I felt as if I had to coerce my legs into continuing to climb. Once, I nearly fell, a loose and lopsided step falling as I stepped on it; I blanched. Another time, the stairs had been knocked sideways by a tipped beam. I barely had time to admire the twisted metal before I jumped. Though I landed on unsteady feet, I was safe.
When at the top, I sighed. This time it was of relief, not regret. I had managed to claw my way up. Then, I looked around me, horrified. There was no end to the sea of skyscrapers and ruins. Despite the ability to see for miles, I couldn’t see any way out. With a sickening lurch, I remembered an old saying of my grandfather: ‘The Derelict is like a snake; it is sly and conniving, and it traps and eats its victims whole.’
Now the Derelict had swallowed both me and Flint.
I then made my way back down the iron stairwell that was rife with missing steps. Once, near the bottom, I kicked something as I clambered down. The object skidded down a couple of steps.
I picked it up and held it in my hands. It was just a rusty knife. I pocketed it, planning on giving it to Flint later. After all, I didn’t trust him with my blaster. (Of which I only had one.) Flint could use the knife to defend himself. Flint wasn’t exactly competent with weaponry, but I decided that Flint could give an attacker Tetanus or something.
Eventually, I finished making my way down. My face was red, my eyes slightly puffy. Flint only had to look at my face to know that I saw nothing.
“So that’s it, then?” He asked.
I gave a wordless nod.
Flint turned, taciturn and gloomy; I similarly looked down. Things were looking grim. But then we saw the light.
