Chapter 97：Tired and Hungry

I rub my eyes as I pause to take a break. I look around and find Chip watching the large door. The creatures were back and banging on the door. Do they ever get tired?? I find myself pausing though when I look back to the door.

Those creatures were strong... some even pretty big, so how is it that none of them had broken the door down? It was made of old wood... I get up and walk over to the large door and place my hand on it. I jump back when something hits the door causing it to shake.

I look around the door as I think back to the email that was sent by the hacker... he had sent symbols for them to place around the base to keep the creatures out. That must mean that this place too has symbols keeping the monsters out.

From what I've read, some of them that have been infected can still keep their humanity while others lose it completely, turning into nightmarish monsters. It depended on the individual and their strength and determination to fight against the virus.

I guess that's what Alec was talking about when he said only the strongest would come over to find an equally strong host. Without that, they would both lose themselves to the virus. It kind of made sense but that would also mean that the 'beast' were once the people who lived here...

This was starting to make sense... even among the people from Everlise, they had people who wanted to open the door to another world and leave... not everyone was good and righteous. Some were selfish and didn't care if others were hurt while the other fought to keep them safe.

It seems like no matter the race, no matter the world... there are always those who are out to hurt others. Bad apples... I wonder who had a contract with Alec? Was he just Alec or was it Alec and the one who came from this world? I've seen him before in Alec's eyes...

"You need to drink Maya," Chip says with concern. I give him a small smile and lick my dry lips. I only take a few sips before I put it back down. Chip frowns and says "You need to drink more." I shake my head and say "I don't know how much longer we'll be here. I need to ration them as much as possible. Don't worry Chip I won't die."

Chip looks unconvinced but he decides to drop it and walk back over to the door. I continue reading and what I find has me smiling like a crazy person. It was a summoning for water! Could this work? I stand up and walk over to the other wall by the door. The wall around the door was clear leaving me room to draw.

I unwrapped my hand and squeezed as hard as I can to draw out blood. Chip jumps up looking at me like I've lost it. "Maya! What are you doing?" Chip comes over to stop me put I put my other hand up telling him to wait.

I cover my finger in the blood and write the symbol on the wall and again watch as it begins to glow. Chip's eyes grew large at the sight and suddenly water comes flying out of the wall. I get pushed back and stumble when the water hits me but I don't care.

I laugh in excitement like a madwoman as I begin scooping up the water with my good hand and drinking it. It tasted heavenly.... I lean back and begin rolling around in the refreshing clean water! This is wonderful!! "Uh, Maya... Maybe you should turn it off now..." Chip says looking at the water quickly filling the temple.

I stop and look around with shock... it was filling up really fast... I stand up and notice it's already coming up to my knees and growing. "Uh... that's a good idea but I don't really know how..." I say looking back to the wall as I try to read faster.

How do I make it stop? The last time I used it to summon Chip it immediately stopped after... "Maya... faster!" Chip says with worry. I bite my lips when I feel the water at my hips. "Chip I'm trying but I really don't know how to stop it!" I start power reading feeling like my poor brain wants to cry with all the information I had been cramming in it.

I've always been a fast learner and picked things up with ease but this felt a bit different. It was as if it was tattooing itself on my brain. Once I read it, it was forever there. I felt the water on my waist as Chip walks over to me in panic.

"Am I waterproof?" Chip asks with worry and I quickly say "Of course you are. You'll be fine I promise." Chip nods his head and slightly relaxes as I continue reading. Suddenly Chip begins to panic again. "Maya! I don't know how to swim! I never downloaded the software for swimming!"

I blink several times in shock before I turn to see him trying to stand on his back paws. "Chip... you're an AI... you can learn to do it yourself but before that... you don't need to breathe...." I say in a calm confused voice. Chip blinks several times before saying "Of course... I was just worried I may have to save you..."