I CHASE STARS TO FIND FLASHLIGHTS

The hum of old generators reverberates with a low growl in the darkness of the caverns. Stale lights of the shelter cast a dim glow over damp stone. Amelia sits at the edge of the light, staring into the dark tunnel ahead.

“Are you ready to go?” A tall man with dark hair stands behind her.

“You think we’ll make it this time, Matt?” asks Amelia.

“Only if you’re ready to.”

Amelia rises to her feet, grabbing her backpack. “I hope the stories were true.”

“Only one way to find out.”

After a shaky breath, Amelia steps into the darkness of the tunnel. Matt shines a flashlight ahead, and blue reflects in her eyes.

With the hum of the generators behind them, their ears ring from the silence. The tunnels widen and narrow, dipping into freezing waters before climbing again.

“I don’t know if I can do this.” Amelia’s breath is heavy as she reaches for the wall, steadying herself. Static fills her vision. “We should turn back.”

“Breathe, Amelia. We’re doing just fine. I’m here this time,” says Matt. His arms wrap around her, holding her tight.

Warmth envelops her body.

“The chasm is just ahead. Catch your breath and get your gear ready.”

Flashlight ahead, Matt continues through the tunnel, illuminating a steep cliff in the path. The ceiling glows with bioluminescence. Old anchors line the walls—rusted metal and tattered ropes like relics from the elders’ time.

“Think these will hold? They’ve been here for years,” asks Amelia.

“Stay here. I’ll go across first. If any of the anchors give way, I don’t want you on it.”

“That’s a stupid idea, Matt. If the anchor breaks, you’ll fall to your death.”

“Better than losing you just to find the surface.” Matt’s eyes darken. “If I can’t get you there safe, there’s no point. If I fall, you turn back. You got it?”

Amelia tightens her grip around the straps of her backpack. Blue shimmers from her iris. Something in her hardens as she reaches for the harness in her backpack. “We go together, Matt, or we don’t go at all.”

Before he can protest, Amelia clips the harness to the first bolt and ascends the jagged stone wall, fingers searching for handholds. With shaky hands and steady feet, she inches her way to the next tie-in.

“Damn it, Amelia.”

Matt connects his own harness, attaches the flashlight to a carabiner, and follows her. Heavy breathing and crumbling stone echoes as they climb.

Amelia, limbs burning from exertion, reaches the other side and unhooks from the rusted metal. Matt closes the gap, but his anchor loosens, causing him to scramble for a handhold. His body scrapes against the wall, and the carabiner snaps, dropping the flashlight into the dark pit below.

Matt’s eyes widen. In the dark Amelia’s eyes radiate iridescent blue.

“Amelia, your eyes.”

“I can see. I can guide you, I think.”

Matt follows each command without hesitation. His eyes trained on the shining blue of hers. Her hand soft on his skin as she pulls him in. Ragged breath echoes in the cave.

“How can you see?” asks Matt.

“I wish I knew. Hang onto me.”

Her hand warms in his, her breath steady under scuffing footsteps. Blue eyes guide him. A breeze leaves cool kisses over their skin, and Amelia stops in her tracks, Matt bumping into her.

Amelia’s breath hitches, a whimper leaving her throat. “Dead end.”

“Amelia…”

A stream of tears flows from her eyes.

Matt glances down at her, the blue in her eyes burn like fire.

Dorian Grey (Wells) is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Full Sail University, specializing in contemporary narrative design across literary and visual media. Through hands-on coursework in audio drama production, flash fiction composition, and multimedia storytelling, Wells has cultivated proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud applications, written character development, and environmental design for various entertainment platforms. Focused on assembling a robust professional portfolio, Wells continues to advance expertise in transmedia storytelling and project-based creative collaboration. Motivated by a passion for story-driven books and video games, Wells is dedicated to producing original content that inspires audiences through both written and immersive visual experiences.