Somehow, by a miracle, I made it to my cell in one piece.
Barely. And nearly caught.
A guard was three steps away from catching me in a forbidden zone for slaves.
I lost control of my beating heart and rapid breathing.
I was three minutes away from a big yawn and loud sigh that would have betrayed me.
I forcibly held my breath till the oppressor moved, bored of his shift cycles.
Then I dashed and slipped into my cell like a thief being chased by police.
As usual, they were far gone.
Having dreams that might never happen with their weak mindsets.
Unless I got out. Came back strong enough to free their miserable asses.
I sat with my back to the wall. Going through and counting my crystals.
Well, it wasn't enough. Never enough.
I didn't have time to think about that now.
My mind went back to the room.
Back in there with her.
Her alluring presence that radiated like the sun.
It was my source of hope for a better future.
"Teach me."
She asked with ambition and fire in her eyes and mouth.
Like it was a devotion. A worship I must do. Like a life or death thing. Practically, my life depended on it.
My lips said yes, enchanted by her alluring beauty before I could stop myself.
I was also passionate about teaching cute girls with golden hair.
"Don't worry. Tomorrow night, we start, okay."
Then the bell rang.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
I got up by muscle memory.
Went for the tray I could see and started eating like I'd been hungry for years.
I could tell the difference. How different I felt right now.
I was more at peace. Things that worried me didn't worry me anymore.
The bread tasted the same, but I had gratitude.
I froze after catching myself laughing at life.
Sadly, I had to stop if I didn't want to get noticed.
This wicked world destroys anything giving lesser men joy.
The mines never changed.
Swing. Crack. Grab. Drop.
I'd gotten faster and a lot more efficient. Luckily for me, those dumbfucks never noticed. So I went along with my work easily.
I sneaked in some when no one was looking my way.
After a tireless, gruesome shift, I had nine.
And twenty-six in total.
Wasn't enough. Wasn't bad though. Had to manage.
Instantly, it was night. Time, motherfucker, is crazy.
I relaxed, acting as if I was asleep.
While waiting, scouting out the time the idiots changed their shifts so I could slip through easily.
Tonight was a lot different. Adventurous. Wild.
I had double risk. Either caught sneaking into the special quarter. Or caught stealing crystals.
She was important. So I went to her first.
The hallway was silent. I gently pushed the gates so as not to alert any guard.
She hadn't slept. Waiting for my visit.
"You came."
"Sorry I couldn't make it the other days. I was busy."
She sat up tight, looking at me, in my direction.
Her condition had gotten better. Less pale face. Less pale golden hair.
"Teach me," she said.
"I want to. But not tonight, okay."
"Seriously? Why not, ghost?"
"Tonight, we are planners and strategists, okay."
I sat facing her, taking her hand gently.
"Hope you remember the crystals I've been stealing?"
Her eyes shot out wild.
"You what?"
"It's okay. I've been smart about it. I need it for my evolution."
"I understand that. But the guards won't. If they catch you".
"Forget them. They won't."
"Wow. How are you so sure of yourself?"
I squeezed her hands.
"I've been a ghost for as long as I remember.
I triple check everything. Trust me, no one is pointing anything at a ghost they don't know exists."
She gave me the long look with her golden eyes.
"What about me? What happens if you get caught?"
"You worry too much. They won't, okay."
"You keep saying that. How can you be so sure?"
"It's true. And you know it. Stop being a worrying freak."
I was with her for an hour.
We discussed the entire plan. When I'd visit. How I'd visit.
Morse code only we understood. All the T's and C's of our escape.
She was worried, scared out of her mind. I could tell. But she was brave in the same amount.
I kissed her on the forehead before going.
She didn't resist.
She gladly took it in, as if she'd been waiting.
Next on my list was the treasure chest.
Same lock. Same room. Same lock and unlock methods.
The fire was low. The plates were empty this time. The chest sat where it was last time. Always.
The minute it was open, there was a flood of purple light.
I reached in.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Crystals went right into my pocket.
Then the annoying footsteps came again.
Outside in the hallway.
Getting way too close for my liking.
The chest was still open. I'd lost track of time. Pockets full of all types of crystals.
I quickly reset everything and got ready to exit.
Footsteps got louder. Or someone was impatient like me.
I dashed to the door, pressing myself against it.
An oppressor walked in.
I had mastered my breathing to the point I could pass as dead.
He got to the table and started cleaning out the raw bones and food remnants.
Then left like he had other important things to do.
I counted to one hundred before I dashed like wind.
Back in my cell, I counted.
34 crystals. I ate 22 tonight.
Ding.
[Progress on side quest: 129/500 Primordial Crystals.]
[Remaining time: 27 days.]
I swallowed one more crystal, enjoying every moment.
The warmth spread.
Tomorrow night, I have to teach her. And I have to steal again.
Way too much danger.
Two risks. Every fucking night. Just to get strong enough to escape.