Aidan brushed past me and without a backwards glance opened our final Challenge and stepped through.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Behind us the final door slammed shut, frightening ebony birds.
Glancing over my shoulder I watched the black door fade at the edge of the swamp. Vines as thick as my legs wound their way around ancient trees. Lush wide-leafed plants came up to our waists, blocking our feet from view.
I breathed in the pungent, stale air, testing to see if the swamp were truly real. This was it. This was what the doppelgängers warned us about.
I looked to Aidan, but he kept his face turned away.
The river in front of us was mostly still water, littered with algae and glistening driftwood.
Aidan pointed across the river. It was as lush with vegetation as our own.
Not seeing anything, I whispered, “What is it?”
Waving at me to keep quiet, I noticed the movement on the opposite riverbank. If it hadn’t moved, I’d have never seen it there. The crocodile or maybe it was an alligator—I’d never know—slid on its belly through the muck and into the dark water. As its tail submerged, the beast barely cast a ripple before disappearing under the glassy surface.
Even with the reptile under water, I had the unnerving sensation that we were being watched.
Worry wrinkled Aidan’s eyebrows. “Nora, we’re in a swamp.”
“He’s just trying to psych us out.” I tried to sound brave, though one glance at Aidan proved I was unconvincing.
Licking his lips Aidan said. “This is our last chance to be honest with each other, you know.”
Stopping me cold, the words left me blinking at him. “I’ve told you everything I can,” I said, waiting for the anger.
Instead he crossed his arms. “Have you?”
“Yeah, have you?”
Snorting, Aidan’s arms dropped to his sides and he stepped by me, making a point not to look at me. The mud sloshed around his sneakers and he grimaced. “What do you think about the poem?” He asked softly.
“I don’t know yet.” I said. To prove my bravado I stepped up beside him. My sneakers disappeared beneath squishy, dense mud. I could feel the cool slop against my ankles. Waving my arms for balance I took my next step and my next until I reached semi-solid ground where the plants didn’t hide my feet. Mud caked my shoes and socks and I wiggled my toes, they were still dry but not for long. The humidity was enough to stick my clothes to my body even standing still.
Getting ahead of Aidan, I tried to shake off the excess mud from my shoes. Mostly, it just made a bigger mess, splattering mud up my bare legs.
Aidan took two large steps and came up beside me, touching one of the twisted trees for support as he wavered in the slippery mud.
Trying to watch my feet and the marsh at the same time, I noticed an eerie dark cloud creeping in on the other side of the river.
Aidan must have noticed it at the same time. “I don’t think we want to be caught in that when we cross.”
“Why are we crossing the river?” I asked, taking another sloppy step.
He pointed to something dark just ahead of us along our shoreline.
Frozen in the eerily calm waters a dead log had been pushed onto the bank.
Squinting, I realized it wasn’t just a log, but it had been hollowed out, like a man-made boat. How had he seen it right away? From here I’d have never picked it out of the swamp. “Might as well check it out,” I agreed, keeping my voice low.
Aidan glanced at me and held out his hand. I paused, unsure if it were sincere or not. He had made a point of avoiding me most of the game, though to be fair, he hadn’t once left me behind. I thought of how he saved me from the witch’s house and ran with me through the museum. It was just the two of us now.
With a small smile, I grabbed his hand and together we stumbled along the river bank.
The mud slid under our feet threatening to sling our legs out from under us.
The water slapped against the shore and Aidan hissed for me to stop, his body stiffening in mid-step.
Struggling to stay upright, I almost slipped. Leaning forward, I had to keep my hands straight out, still clutching to Aidan for support. Wobbling on shaky legs, I froze as best as I could, my body shaped in a L just to keep from falling.
Searching the swamp for whatever could have spooked Aidan I eased my spine straight.
The waters had calmed since my lurching stop, leaving the eerie silence.
I squeezed Aidan’s hand to get his attention and raised my eyebrows to form the question.
He hesitated, opening his mouth as if to explain, but cast one last look around the swamp before mouthing, “Sorry.”
Releasing my hand he trudged toward the shore, staying just within the jungle’s canopy.
I started to follow when he turned back around and motioned me to stop, eyes wide and warning.
I started to shake my head when he motioned me to stay put with both hands. Eyes narrowing at him, I frowned and he rolled his eyes before motioning me to stay again. He paused, waiting for me to protest and when I didn’t, he eased toward the shoreline and out into the open.
He might think he was hiding me, but I didn’t want to separate. With us this close to a success, Damien was sure to have a surprise pop out somewhere and I wasn’t about to let Aidan out of my sight, even if he thought it best.
Facing his back, I shuffled forward, keeping a safe distance. Stopping just outside the thick brush, I could see my feet. Mud had given an extra sole to my shoes and my legs noticed the additional weight.
The little boat was just a few feet out in the water. The problem was, it was in the water, away from the shore.
Aidan hobbled into the shallow water, testing each step and taking his time.
Drawing in air, I prepared myself to scream a warning if I saw anything. The sickening feeling of being watched hadn’t lifted and I didn’t doubt that something was hiding just beyond our sight.
Aidan was up to his mid-calf when he was able to reach the hollowed out log. Fingers curling around the edge, he strained to grab it, pulling it closer. It didn’t sink as it skidded across the smooth surface toward Aidan.
A small break at least.
Glancing over his shoulder Aidan saw me at the tree line and frowned. He pointed at me as if it were an adequate a threat.
I wiggled my fingers in a sarcastic wave until he turned to drag the wooden boat closer to the muddy shore. Aidan’s efforts cast ripples outward, slopping the green and brown debris onto the shoreline.
The boat scraped bottom, sounding volcanic compared to the swamp’s eerie silence.
Standing when it was done, Aidan allowed himself a smile that was genuine.
Smiling back, I lifted one foot, hearing the mud’s suction against the ground. Looking down I noticed a movement behind me and jerked my head up. Aidan had noticed it too and his smile wiped clean.
“Move!” He mouthed, pale eyes wide.
I picked up my foot to step closer, ducking instinctively when I realized it was lodged in the mud.
Looking down, I tried to move again but my left foot was stuck. Twisting, I attempted to reach for a branch or vine above, but found nothing in my reach. Stepping forward, I pulled, feeling my swollen knee twinge.
Desperate, I stretched fingers to Aidan and whispered shrilly, “Pull.”
Aidan pointed behind me, though he inched closer, careful not to get stuck in the mucky shore.
I leaned as far forward as I dared. I could feel the heat of those eyes. As I dared to look over my shoulder, every hair on my body bristled.
Three pairs of deep-red, glowing eyes peered from the brush and they were focused on me. One of them blinked slowly, seeming lethargic and bored, as if it had all the time in the world.
Fighting the urge to scream, I snapped my gaze back to Aidan warning him.
“Can you slip out of your shoe?” Aidan asked in a whisper. His arms stretched out to
catch me, but he was a foot out of my reach.
And run without a shoe? In the middle of the jungle? I hated the idea and wiggled a little more. I was altogether stuck.
Waving him closer, I hissed. “Just pull on me first.”
Glancing at the eyes behind me, Aidan licked his lips.
The hesitation stopped my heart.
I watched his eyes harden and he took a step back, looking over his shoulder at the boat then across the still river. I saw it at the same time.
Nestled just within the trees was the shiny, black door. The top wasn’t hidden, though vegetation crowded near the base, like a protective barrier.
It had never appeared so early before, but then it hadn’t been offered anything before either. It was our way home and Aidan had the boat. He could leave me behind if he wanted.
My arms started to ache and I lowered them, feeling the balance of his decision thicken the air.
Twisting my foot, I could tell I could slip out of it, but something stopped me. I wanted to see what he would do. Sacrifice me, like Damien suggested, or help me across the river?
Standing straight, I tried to look confident though I felt like a fish out of water. I wondered if he’d look back before walking to the boat.
I looked over at the red eyes; they were still there, waiting.
Would the sacrifice be like Neive’s? A quick death or did Damien have other plans? I thought of his obsidian eyes watching me over Aidan’s shoulder in the dream. She was never good at being a sacrifice.
Without warning Aidan turned and jumped at me.
Startled, I strangled a yelp and almost moved to fend him off when he grabbed both my wrists and jerked back.
Catching his eyes, I felt relief flooding me all at once and I grabbed his wrists in return.
Wriggling my foot to free it from the sneaker, I felt my heel inch free.
Aidan’s shout shattered the silence. He was looking past me.
Ducking, I felt a wind rush past my head as if something had swung at me. With one final yank, my foot was free.
Aidan grabbed my arm and propelled both of us into the shallow water beside the boat.
Staggering with him, I looked over my shoulder but nothing was there.
The brush was silent, not a single leaf had been disturbed. Whatever Aidan saw had vanished, though I doubted it was gone. I still felt those weighty eyes.
Despite the stillness, we scrambled for the boat. Sweat bubbled Aidan’s brow, wetting the blood and making it appear slick. It must have stung.
The boat, having been carved and gutted from a large tree, was dark, maybe rotting. Holding onto the vessel with cramped fingers, I heard Aidan whisper to jump in.
Without waiting, I awkwardly lifted a leg and rolled into the small log, nearly tipping it over when a stick jabbed into my back. Sitting up, I noticed the twisted deadwood paddles on the bottom. Struggling for balance, I snatched one. The dry, grey wood dug slivers into my palms as I shoved it into the muddy shore at the same time that Aidan pushed.
The boat scraped the bottom for what felt like forever. I kept my eyes on the brush, shoving the paddle deep into the muck.
Aidan dug his heels into the shoreline, his face strained and red, until the boat broke free of the bottom and floated.
With one final push, Aidan leapt into the boat with me. The entire wooden vessel rocked, water sloshing over the edges. Biting back the yelp I gripped the edge with my free hand.
Rustling from the brush alerted us to movement, but neither of us stopped what we were doing. I tossed Aidan a paddle when I felt confident in my balance.
Together, we began to push through the brown water as fast and as hard as we could. Farther down the shoreline, past a fallen tree, I heard the distinct splashes. Something was joining us.
Half way out into the river Aidan dropped his paddle across his lap, heaving. Twisting his neck to see the shore, he asked. “Any of them follow?”
I stopped paddling, allowing the boat to drift in the still waters. “I think they jumped in over there.” I pointed toward the fallen log where I heard the splashes. “What were they anyway?”
Aidan shook his head. “I have no idea, I just saw a figure. Almost seemed human, but it was dark.”
Catching my breath, I muttered, “Thanks for not leaving me.”
Aidan tried to smile, then without looking at me, nodded.
I wanted to ask him why he didn’t, but decided against it. Together, we searched the mire for any signs of what might be hunting us. The brush behind us was silent; not even crickets or frogs graced the swamp.
Aidan let his breath out in a whoosh. “Let’s get out of here.”
Gripping my paddle, the splinters prickled my palm as I dug through the water. Pushing off in long, smooth strokes I felt the muscles in my shoulders ache. Aidan quickly followed my lead, making the motion easier.
On my fifth stroke the paddle abruptly stuck on something. The bottom already? Automatically, I jerked at it, but it stayed in place. Nothing scraped the bottom of the boat and I shook the paddle with both hands, rocking the boat beyond Aidan’s comfort and he hissed at me.
Gripping the upright deadwood, I eased the boat’s sway. The paddle was really stuck, but on what?
Leaning forward I decided to give it one last yank. As if expecting it, the paddle ripped from my hands in a blur, stabbing slivers into my skin and disappearing beneath the water.
Gasping, I cradled my flaming hands to my chest.
I didn’t want to look at them.
Aidan had stopped paddling, his eyes round. We watched where my paddle had been, waiting for it to resurface. The ripple of water was the only evidence it had ever been there.
Looking to the opposite shore I could see we were almost there. The black clouds overhead had grown thicker, creeping along the riverbank, edging over the water.
Bubbling water had me following Aidan’s gaze to the disturbed surface next to our boat. Ripples swirled out as if something had surfaced before I had a chance to look, but Aidan had seen. Tilting up my chin I started to ask when something on his face stopped me cold.
Aidan swallowed hard, his electric eyes snapping to me. “Nora, I think I should tell you something.”
“I don’t think this is the best time, Aidan.” My gaze swept the surface of the murky waters, feeling apprehensive about what he may have seen.
Something slapped against the side of the boat. The force rocked us back and forth. Snatching the sides I tried to stay centered and balanced, gritting my teeth.
Aidan’s paddle was half-in and half-out of the boat, the handle on the floor and the paddle dripping on glassy water.
“No, I think I should tell you now,” Aidan gulped as the boat settled again. “It’s about what Damien said.”
“What?” I snapped.
Out of the corner of my vision there was movement. As if electrocuted, I shouted. “Paddle, Aidan!”
Before the words left my lips, a hand broke the swampy surface and latched onto the edge of the boat.
Skeletal fingers flexed and tightened their grip, revealing tendons and stark, white bone. It was a human hand once. But now it was grey with green algae.
The terror tore through my throat and I screamed.
A second hand breached the surface and slapped the side of our wooden craft. The boat rocked dangerously. Each swing was harder and stronger than the last. We could hear the thuds beneath our feet; mocking us with a rapping knuckles.
I held on, intensifying the fiery pain of the cuts in my hands. If this kept up we were going to flip. I didn’t want to imagine what was waiting for us in the caliginous water below.
Aidan started to paddle, trying to veer us closer to the shore. His electric, blue eyes shone, hardly blinking with each paddle slap that spraying water in all directions.
Another rotted hand curled around my fingers gripped the edge of the boat.
I screamed, nauseated by the slimy thing and jerked back. I kept both h
ands close, trying to balance by locking my knees together and pressing my feet to either side of the shallow log.
A thump from below lifted the boat out of the water. I felt it rise and drop with my stomach and tried to lean the opposite way so not to flip us.
Before the boat landed Aidan’s startled shout was cut off by a splash.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
The boat slapped back into the water, jostling my insides.
I shifted my weight to prevent myself from pitching overboard, all the while staring at the empty spot at the head of the boat.
The decaying hand had disappeared and all the knocking below ceased, which scared me more. Splashing to my right made my heart stop and I almost didn’t turn my head.
Peeking over the edge of the boat, I felt a jolt of relief which flooded into a smile.
Aidan was still above the surface, treading water. He was several feet away, but he wasn’t gone. I gestured wildly until he met my eye.
Sputtering swamp water, he nodded, scanning the surface.
“Hurry,” I hissed, craning my neck to look for whatever haunted us below the surface.
For a few clumsy minutes, Aidan’s sloppy breast strokes didn’t seem to getting him anywhere. Each second that ticked by was an invitation and I sat up taller in the boat, readying myself to pull him in. Don’t separate, don’t separate, I repeated in my head until the breast strokes evened out, growing longer and smoother. He didn’t dare duck his head under the muddy surface.
I held out my hand, ushering him closer, afraid to speak and disturb the quiet.
Aidan hesitated in mid-stroke, sinking in his panic. Spitting out swampy water, he gagged. “Something touched my leg.”
Shaking my head, I waved my hands for him to hurry. I couldn’t swing the boat around without a paddle and I didn’t dare put my hand in the murky water.
Swimming again, Aidan drew closer when his breath sharpened and he stopped swimming again.
I gritted my teeth in irritation. Pressing my chest to the edge of the craft I strained for him. He was almost in arm’s reach, just a few more strokes and…
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