46 Trapped

Mina felt intense fatigue. Although her lids were too heavy, she was conscious. She could feel her teeth chattering. It was as if she was inside a freezer. The coldness she felt seeped into her flesh. She wanted to call out for help but she couldn't move. She heard voices around her but she could barely make out the words as she struggled to find warmth.

Using all her willpower, Mina tried to move her hands to call out for help. She felt cold, sharp air moving around her body, making it hard even to breathe. With each second, the feeling became more intense. The air surrounding her became thicker. She could feel herself suffocating as she stood motionless.

'Will I die?'

After struggling against the unknown, Mina felt her mind lose the will to stay strong. Mina was about to let the coldness take over her when she felt the air grow thinner. There was no warmth but some of the coldness dissipated. Her mind became clearer again and she could hear receding footsteps.

With each step, she felt more comfortable.

With renewed vigor, Mina used all her willpower to call out for help. Finally, she felt her eyes open halfway and saw two figures leaving. As the first person made it out of the doorway, the one trailing behind him looked back at her. She saw the same blue eyes she did when she first woke up. Looking at him intently, as if to get the message across, she used all her remaining strength to call out to him.

"Help!"

Mina yelled the words with all her might but her cold lips barely moved. She did not make any sound. Not even a whisper. And with the last ounce of her strength, she was dragged back to nothingness again. This time, however, she lost all consciousness and felt her world go black.

*****

'I'm falling! Falling!'

Tarou tried to brace the fall with his paws but when the free fall stopped, he did not feel anything. His paws were still covering his eyes, afraid that something will go wrong.

Tarou stomped a paw and felt something solid. Sniffing while uncovering his eyes, the familiar scent of his favorite plant assaulted his senses. The dirt under his paws felt familiar and so did the scents.

"I'm back!" Tarou squeaked, jumping around. He felt the change in temperature and from the darkness surrounding him, it seems that hours have passed.

"That was creepy! What was that place!" the mouse mumbled through squeaks. Tarou was about to run towards the exit when he remembered something, and he paused mid-air. He looked around, more cautiously this time. He was about to sigh in relief when he noticed a large figure blocking the way.

Tarou inched closer and sniffed.

'Boss?'

'What is Boss doing here?'

Tarou could only shake his head while looking at the cat in front of him. From the animal's position on the ground, it was clear to see that the cat expended immense effort to enter the space.

'What happened?'

'It's not like Boss is a stupid...'

Tarou's thought process stopped suddenly and he used a paw to poke the cat in front of him. The animal did not move. He tried to use more force this time, but there was still no response. The grey mouse panicked, and he stomped around with both paws on his head.

Tarou eyed the cat's extended paw. When he placed both paws on the leg, he noticed the animal's temperature. The cat felt cold to the touch.

Running out of ideas, Tarou did the first thing that crossed his mind.

"Please, please don't kill me!" the mouse chanted as he bit the cat's paw as hard as he could. He could feel the deafening sound of his heartbeat as he did the daring feat but there was still no response.

Scared but still impatient, Tarou waited, expecting the cat to stir or make any movement but nothing happened.

"BOOOOSSSS!!!!!" Tarou called out while holding the cat's ear up. Losing all sense of fear, Tarou crawled under the cat and pounded just behind the cat's front leg.

"NOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Tarou could feel something clouding his vision as he continued to pound the cat. He didn't remember how long he assaulted the cat's body but he did not get any response. With a clearer mind, Tarou thought about his next move.

'Nightmare!'

Tarou could only shake his head. Looking at Boss who covered the entire opening, Tarou knew it would be impossible to get out to ask for help.

When he turned, a small opening on one side of the log caught his eye.

'If I gnaw everything off, it might work!'

Tarou mouse was about to start doing real work when he felt a gentle push.

As he felt the familiar falling sensation, Tarou could only wince.

"Ugh! Not again!"