Malki’s Choice

I crept on bleeding knees a thousand meters under the shining meadow, the path wending downward between crystalline structures of every shape and size. My eyes were finally adjusted now, after an hour of walking past green and blue crystals. Soon, I began to crouch and then crawl as the cavern diminished into ever smaller arteries and the colors changed to russet and violet. My mind wandered as I moved forward and the space became cooler, pondering Helel’s suggestion. It was an idea harmless on its face, benign and guileless, yet infinitely attractive in a way I had never contemplated.

“Why are you here, Malki?” I muttered to myself. “Can’t just enjoy the Maker’s sunshine?” The thought occurred to me, Is curiosity a sin?

Even in the silence, the whisper from my conscience was small, and yet…I knew, and I continued on. Ahead as the path curved to the left I heard a faint whistle, a moaning entirely foreign to my blessed ears. At the bend a breeze gently ruffled my hair and robe, and I saw a deeper hue of red in the gems that lined the walls. Maybe Helel was right after all.

I remember how he had stated quite emphatically that this place was different, a way to the outside. I remember thinking that nobody would want to see the outside Father’s realm. There simply is no better place. Yet, Helel said this path was kept from us for dark reasons. I had to know for myself.

The walls soon opened up like an embrace and those ruby crystals beckoned with a welcoming light. I rose to my feet and my robes flapped wildly now, my hair violently whipping my face. Palm on the wall, I staggered closer to the shrieking void in the cave floor. My sash pulled away from me and was quickly sucked into the vacuum.

It was just as Helel said. Father had lied…hadn’t he? I turned to look back at the narrow cleft I had emerged from. Then I gazed down at my knees covered in drying blood and remembered the chill of the tunnels. I had to see.

Bending, I reached to touch the void and the wind pulled me inward and through into a dark blue sky. The air buffeted and a white, sizzling glow surrounded me as I fell crackling toward the earth.

I had escaped.