Story: Underground Escape
Story by: Gail Nobles ©️2024
Art by: Gail Nobles
Boom Sound by: Gail Nobles
Tunnel and slam sound by: Pixaby.com

When Aneeyah got back to Marcus, she tried to encourage him to leave his place. They talked about it as they ate. She wasn't about to convince Marcus to leave until she told him about the dragon she saw. And before she could say it was dragonfly, Marcus knew who she was talking about because he had seen the dragon before. He became full before he could finish his meal. Marcus began to shake and tremble. He felt like he was going to get sick on the stomach feeling nervous. Aneeyah knew, and she tried to talk a little bit off the subject.

Aneeyah: So Marcus, what made you move way out here in the hills?

Marcus: I have no life in the city. It’s loud, and I get called on all the time. I was ahead of an army of men.

Suddenly, Marcus began to stop speaking.

Aneeyah: And what Marcus?

Marcus: Dragonfly turned them all against me and took over my army.

Aneeyah: Are you afraid of him Marcus?

Marcus looked at Aneeyah with dark circles around his eyes. Marcus: Why don't you fear him?


Aneeyah: He’s nothing Marcus. He’s nothing to fear. But I got a feeling he knows you're here. If you're running from him, I wouldn't stay here. He’s near.

Marcus knew of a secret that no one knew. Not even Dragonfly and all of the people that lived in the suburb of Diverse City. Aneeyah knew that living in the hills was great to live and hide. But Marcus knew there were underground worlds where he had never been and he dared to go. He was afraid to fully trust Aneeyah.

Before he could speak again, Aneeyah said: You have a lot of fear inside of you Marcus. Let go of that fear. Let me help you.

Marcus said: I should never trust a woman.

Aneeyah: I promise I will help you get away from that dragon. I know what it's like to fear something. When you're scared, you're just scared.

Marcus knew that there was one tunnel that connected from his house along the river to Aneeyah’s house. He told Aneeyah because he was feeling sick from fear, and he needed her help though he was about well. He was sick from a curse of the dragonfly.
Marcus took Aneeyah behind a secret wall and took her in his arms down into a humongous underground tunnel. And it was a four-way tunnel. It was very dark, and Marcus had to watch his steps going down.

And Aneeyah said: Marcus, mm-mm. Something ain't right.

The wings of Marcus began to light up, and he said: There is a way not right, but the tunnel in the middle leaves to where you live. One tunnel leads to Diverse City, and there is one very well known of robbers and thieves. You’ll be lucky to get through and lucky if you make it back. The fourth tunnel, I have never been through it.

Aneeyah: I suggest we take the way which leads to my place. Wait! We can't go to my place. Dragonfly knows where I live.

Marcus put Aneeyah down slowly and stood in the opening of the fourth tunnel. He hated going through tunnels. It was dark, and he did not know what was ahead waiting.

Aneeyah said: I have a place under the floor in my home. I can hide you there until you're fully well. And when Dragonfly comes to visit, he’!l never know you're there. There is a sofa. A place to lay your head or we could stay here behind the wall, but there's nowher to lay down when you're sick.

So Marcus agreed, and they went through the tunnel along the river which led to Aneeyah’s backyard. And there was an entrance that led them down into the ground. They were under the floor of her home, but just above the floor, they heard tables and chairs being knocked over and voices. Aneryah could see above her floor on her phone.

Marcus saw that it was some of his old army that worked with Dragonfly looking for him. Marcus began to shake nervously. He felt sick again.

Aneeyah got him to the sofa for him to sit down and she whispered: It will be OK. Trust me.

You’re listening to Artful: The Story of Bombylias by Gail Nobles copyright ©️ 2024. Today’s episode: Underground Escape.