Within ethereal realms, indivisible love is cast, and our's indeed was pure enough to be deemed so; even heavenly intervention could not wrench our bond apart, or ourselves outgrow. Yet, that all-consuming darkness looming overhead, filled me with terror - surely this was hell, and I, dead. Acting regardless, as one does in dreams, I tore Alice free from the black hand's grip, and managed to drag her a few feet away. In response, several arms lunged out of the dark, grabbing her ankles. Fresh blood oozed from the wounds created by their sharp, transparent fingernails.

Distraught, her eyes flickered urgently between myself and the moving darkness, imploring me to save her. Burying whatever frightened thoughts arose, and ignoring the figures forming behind those arms, I focused solely on hauling her to safety. All to no avail. Were it possible to stand perhaps I might have stood a chance, but in this position I could only hold on tightly.

One of the figures appeared suddenly beside us, taking hold of Alice's wrist. Unable to resist looking, I glanced up at the creature, noticing immediately that it was noseless. Paying no further attention to its' bald head, tiny ears, or plain, wispy body, I stared deep into its' eyes - wondering whether they were actually there. With one step backwards it disappeared almost completely, leaving only its' hand and the extra pulling force.

Gradually we began to slide along, being dragged slowly at first, and then hastily in some unknown direction. Eerie giggling, child-like, echoed out of distant recesses, steadily increasing in volume. Convinced of deaths inevitability, I came to peace with the fact we would die together; under the circumstances, what more could I ask for? Keeping my arms wrapped around her waist, I began whispering into her ear, proclaiming my eternal love, whilst promising to find her within the next life.

Stabbing pains erupted in my ankles, as something latched onto them - whom or what did so I can not say, for my legs were out of eyesight. With a jolt we stopped. Both sides were pulling in opposite directions, seemingly caring only about carrying away their victims. My hold, having shifted up to her armpits, was finally jerked free, and I clutched her shoulder clumsily, slipping down to her elbow. Those terror-filled eyes were fixated on mine, and mine, likely the same, remained on hers, as another jolt drew me down to her wrist.

One can reasonably postulate that the true measure of strength, is in how tight a person holds onto their loved ones, therefore it can be said, that I am weak man. For I could no longer keep hold of her hand. With a few heaves they tore me loose, and she was borne off into the dark; her bright eyes fading last. Shouting felt futile, so instead I wriggled my legs and kicked out at whomever had hold of my ankles. But it was of no more use then a toddler squirming in their parents grip, their energy quickly depleting without the slightest ground gained.

Bang! ... Bang! In that moment, when two shots spilt the darkness, I saw one of the creatures scurry around a corner, and the grim, terrified face of Harris. 

"Is that you there lad?" He asked hesitantly, reloading his shotgun, and limping forward. His hardened expression, which, after kicking my foot slackened somewhat, re-intensified, and lifting me onto my feet he spoke in a frenzied manner, "They're everywhere - they live in the grey light. But they are nothing. They are not real - not physically like us. No. They were going to give to me too their god... I know that - I heard their whispers!" Then he shouted, "I hear you whispering - I know what you're planning!"

"Harris, maybe I should hold onto the shotgun," I offered cautiously, "you seem a bit shaky."

"Doesn't matter," he replied, leaning close and whispering, "the bullets don't hurt them, they're just scared of the light - it's too bright."

"Fine," I spoke calmly, trying to ease him, "but they have Alice, and have just - two moments ago - dragged her off in that direction. I am going after her, and you are welcome to join, but if you choose to go a different way, please leave me with the shotgun - it is my one chance of rescuing her from their grips."

"You two strangers met an old drunk man in the pub, and offered to help him retrieve his dog." Harris answered with a whisper, "How could I refuse to help you in your mission?"

"Thanks."

Hobbling along hurriedly, side-by-side, we did not bother discussing what was happening, or whom those dark entities were - my initial thought was mole-people. Harris was constantly glancing around himself and occasionally bumping against my shoulder. I, plagued with worry, which increased with every step, picked up the pace, unintentionally forcing him to match my strides. Although, honestly, I would not have cared had I known, for she was far more important.

No more then five minutes could have passed, and already we had walked into a dead-end; anxiety swept through me, and I persuaded him, and myself, that we must have missed a turning. So we spun around, and both keeping a hand on the opposite wall, walked back the way we came. Until Harris kicked a shotgun shell, revealing we were where he had come to my rescue. Blaming him entirely, I declared frustratedly that we would re-trace our steps, this time with our hands' on the other wall - believing whole-heartedly that I would discover a turning he failed to notice.

Again we reached the dead-end, and were baffled to where they could have gone. When Harris, glancing up, realised there was no ceiling; above our heads a tunnel ran vertical, though we could not see where it went, nor would we be able to ascend. Dismayed, I flopped down onto my knees, hung my head, and stared blankly at the ground, trying to concoct some great scheme. Yet all I could think about was her, and how much I wished she were by my side.

"These tunnels slope up and down," Harris declared reassuringly, placing a hand on my shoulder, "I came further down after I escaped from their clutches. We can find another way up there, don't worry."

Despondent, I nodded in agreement, picked myself up, and we headed back the way we came.

* * *

Time, immeasurable, passed uneventfully for a long while, whilst we trekked through the dark maze of tunnels. No sounds other the Harris' heavy breathing, and our footsteps could be heard. And nothing could be seen moving. Even that rancid stench seemed to dwindle in foulness. Then, strangely, when we passed bye a turning, the same as any other, Harris froze and bowed his head.

"What-"

"Shush," Harris firmly interrupted, and went back to listening. "Lets go this way," he declared confidently after a few minutes, "I'm sure it's the right way."

"I don't know," I replied dubious of his actions, "I am pretty sure those things dragged me and Alice from this direction."

With a fake chuckle he responded cooly, "Don't be silly, I think you're getting confused down here, come on let's go." Then in a whisper, "Now! They are coming, I can hear their whispers - let's go!"

"If anyone is loosing it, then it is you." I stated in annoyance, "Talking about hearing voices, and acting peculiar. I have too much to worry about without you adding on more."

"What you are you talking about lad, lets just keep going." And then in a whisper again, "We have to go now, or it will be too late. Now!"

"Enough is enough, I am going to go this way," I asserted frustratedly, turning around, "and if you insist on parting then at least leave me the-"

Out of the dark darted two arms, reaching for my throat; the shotguns' barrel rested swiftly on my shoulder and fired. Ignoring the loud ringing in my ear, I watched as the bullet sunk smoothly into the creatures jet-black skin, seemingly having no effect. It, and the multitudes stood behind, fled simply from the flash of light. 

Harris's lips moved hectically, though I could not hear whatever he was saying. Grabbing my arm, he began pulling me down the tunnel he had originally proposed taking, his voice louder now then the ringing. Hearing the gentle padding of those barefoot creatures returning, I needed no further prompting.

Deluges of devouring darkness swept over the walls behind, obscuring everything, and only postponed by the shots Harris fired. Sporadic in nature, it - or they - would slow, and we would gain ground, feeling finally at a safe distance, before surging forth once more. Croaky voices frequently echoed out of that mass, some attempting to entice us with loved ones, others telling of their horrid plans to skin us alive, eat our flesh, drain our blood, and gift the remains to their gods. Our path, ever varying, appeared hopelessly endless - we would certainly tire soon and be captured.

"Take the next right," Harris shouted decisively, "and keep running!"

Considering he had yet to be wrong about anything, I obeyed his command, turning right and jogging hastily. Startled by the sounds of gunshots, I glanced over my shoulder, to see Harris still standing at the corner; firing both shots, reloading and repeating. All-the-while chuckling to himself and declaring, with absolute confidence, that they were not going to get what they wanted. "For your too slow!" He finally exclaimed, dropping his shotgun and following.

Facing forward, I did not let my inability to see two feet ahead hinder my speed, resulting in me charging head first into the sunken wall of another dead end. Shockingly the thin layer of stone gave way, and I came crashing through into another set of caves - yet the lack of light here was exactly that, and not some foul black air. The wall were smooth-

Small pieces of rubble fell from above, distracting me from my observations of this new place, so I look up to discover the cause. When a large stone struck my head, and the opening I had made caved in, enveloping me in darkness.