Free Surviving the Improbable Quest by Anderson Atlas

looks back and sees the dark forest and the river, knowing the guards are there even though he cannot see them. In the dark of the forest there is something lurking. Allan can feel it there. Something watches him. Hopefully, he’ll be safe in the city.
    Trickling water and the raucous noise of the crickets hides the sound of his subtle movements. After the tunnel, the river splits into two directions. Tall, stone buildings border the river and block any view into the city. They are even taller than the wall. Steep stairways are built into the sides and snake from doorway to doorway like veins feeding organs.
    Allan pulls himself out of the river. There are no bushes or grasses here, instead there are large, rough-cut stone pieces covering all the land between the water and the buildings. He drags himself to a dark spot under the nearest stairway then pulls his feet under the stairs so he’s completely hidden in the shadow. It’s too dark to go find help. He’ll have to wait until daylight. Plus, that ‘X’ mark scared him. He can’t fight Jibbawk, that’s for sure. Any creature that wants him can take him.
    A noise startles him. His eyes search the darkness frantically. What is that noise? He’s never been so scared in all his life. He doesn’t want to die, and he sure doesn’t want some creepy creature to devour him like the bird-guard devoured the rodent.
    A mouse, or what looks like a mouse, forages on nearby moss. It carefully comes up to the stairway as though it can see Allan. It must have decided Allan is no threat because it grabs a hanging plant by Allan’s leg, rips off a leaf and munches happily.
    “Shoo,” Allan hisses. The creature is small, but Allan doesn’t want any odd creatures in this world near him. His instinct is right. The mouse hisses, exposing sharp fangs, and spikes pop from its fur like cactus needles. Allan freezes. The little thing looks as ferocious as a dragon. It relaxes its spikes and continues to munch on the plant. After a time, it meanders away. 
    Allan remains as still as possible for the rest of the night. The darkness seems to last a lifetime, and the noises in the night are strange. His eyes remain like sliced cucumbers. If he blinks, he’ll miss something and be something’s snack.   
     

 
    Chapter 10
    Fur and Frowns
     
    Eventually, daylight comes. A clamoring of machines and a hammering in the distance jumpstart Allan’s heart. Gears grind on metal and a burnt smell lingers in the air. Humidity and warmth remind Allan of the beach. He stretches his arms and yawns. Daylight sets Allan at ease, though the day is not that bright. What’s important is the shadows have been beaten back, so if there is something out there stalking him he can see it coming.
    There’s a crash and someone yells, “Ah! You can’t do anything right. How do you even dress yourself?” The voice sounds squawky.
    Allan pokes his head out from under the stairway. A string of moss gets in his face and tickles his nose and makes him sneeze. Did anyone hear me? He remains still, listening to the sounds. No one comes looking and the strange banging sounds continue. Allan rips down the moss that assaulted his nose. There’s more moss and tree roots growing from every crack in the stonework. The walkway between him and the river is slick with moisture. It’s not a river on this side of the wall, but a canal.
    Allan’s stomach rumbles, but he hasn’t forgotten his mission. He needs to find someone sympathetic. Whatever kind of world the mountains hide, with all these strange creatures that speak about strange laws and strange horrors, it must contain someone with a heart. Surely someone here can look beyond Allan’s apparent monetary value and lead him back to his world. Maybe they’ll have some breakfast, too.
    Allan peaks out from under the stairs then drags his body to the edge of the building. The river turns again, creating a new canal that heads into the city. Narrow walkways on