[i]What a strange boy.[/i] Aislin chuckled, only clueing in seconds later that Jaska never followed her down the steps. He grabbed the stone along the ceiling, crawling along like spider-man. Aislin's stomach twisted briefly, knowing if he fell that would mean bad news. The ceiling only inclined down the path, increasing the drop by a couple more feet. But Jaska had done this for years, maybe she was just paranoid. 

They continued down one of the paths, Aislin going at a slow enough pace for Jaska to keep up comfortably. The path twisted along, the stone lined in worn curves alongside. It looked similar to a chasm, and Aislin considered the possibility of water eroding the cave walls. Then she remembered the island was artificial, and a pout crossed her lips. The chasm opened up to a circular clearing with more holes twisting into the darkness. A draft blew up from their left, giving Aislin a clear scent of water. [b]"Mmmm..."[/b] She breathed contently. 

Jaska's voice cracked the stillness. [i]"Someone's here!"[/i]

Aislin wheeled around, eyes searching the darkness. Of course, she couldn't see anything, and her eyes glanced up to Jaska who -- [i]Oh God, no![/i] -- just snapped his handhold, quickly falling. Aislin only blinked her eyes and it was over, the thud of his small body hitting the stone floor her only cue. 

[b]"Jaska!"[/b] Aislin ran to where he fell, collapsing on her knees. [b]"Jaska, kiddie, look at me, honey."[/b] She glanced him over with panicked eyes, gasping when she saw the stalagmite sticking out of his side. Tears streamed down his face as he clutched it, screaming. 

[b]"Oh fuck."[/b] Aislin swore under her breath. [i]This is bad.[/i] Steps behind her stole Aisln's gaze, and she saw a blue, shimmery lady walk deeper into the caves. If this were X-Men Aislin might have accepted what she saw a little better, but there weren't suppose to be hermits living in the school's jungle. Period. 

Aislin bit her lip, turning back to Jaska. He stopped screaming, only whimpers escaping his lips. Meaning to comfort, she put a hand on his forehead to only yank it off, shaking it vigorously in the cool cave air. Her palm seared with pain, she was sure it was burned. In the semi-darkness she couldn't tell how bad the burn was, but touching it left a distinct feeling of melted flesh. It was moments later when his eyes began to dimly glow, and Aislin knew something was very wrong. Jaska trembled, barely giving Aislin enough time to crawl back before he began thrashing out with red-hot limbs. 

Jaska returned her panicked stare, pointing to the stairs. [i]"R-run! I... Can.... can't... control it!"[/i]

[b]"I won't leave you here!"[/b] Aislin said defiantly, despite the fear in her voice. Rising to her feet, Aislin stared at him with the most torn eyes. She had no idea if this was some kind of death process or what, but she couldn't just leave him here like this. God, he had family here! Jaska was her responsibility, she had to do what she could. 

He looked less and less human as the little beast child thrashed on the floor. The stink of boiling copper filled the cave, and Aislin had the urge to throw up. She could hear blood sizzling, and a terrible shiver made her knees weak. [b]"Fuck, Jaska. I'm sorry."[/b]

Aislin made record timing out of the cave, tripping over her own feet as she tumbled into the jungle clearing. Swaying shakily to her feet once more, Aislin cupped her hands around her mouth and screamed in a broken, desperate voice. [b]"Heeeelp! Oh God, help please!"[/b]

Haggard, heavy breathing emanated from the cave's gaping darkness, and Aislin turned to face the entrance. Her feet slowly backed up as the jungle floor beneath her rippled and swirled out several meters. Whatever was in the cave now sounded monstrous and terrifying, but Aislin prayed to God it wasn't the kiddie. She could barely defend herself as it was, how could she hurt him? No, she would run. Flight was more her style anyway.

Her voice barely a whisper, Aislin peered into the darkness with frightened eyes.

[b]"...Jaska?"[/b]