Rescue Island Read Online Free

I'm saved!" I yell to the cat. I grab the ladder sections and place them up the wall, between Verve and me. I climb up, and I'm greeted by a wet lick to my blocky face.
    "I'm glad to see you too," I say. "Now, which way do we go? Should we continue down, into the darkness in search of string, or do we go back?" Verve gives me a quizzical look and tilts its head.
    I remember the danger of the situation, but this game is full of dangers. I don't like the idea of only doing things that are totally safe. Living on the edge of danger is so much more exciting, as long as I manage to survive.
    "Let's go for it. Let's get some string!"
    Planting a torch in the wall, we move down the ledge. It's like a spiral staircase, wandering down this dark hole into what looks like an expansive cavern below.
    "If I were a spider, this is where I would hang out," I say to Verve. I'm much more careful of mossy rocks now and place torches on the wall more frequently to keep the path lit.
    "We've been walking for a while."
    Verve purrs in response. The path ahead splits. One way continues down, deeper into the hole, and I assume it will eventually reach the bottom of the cavern. The other path leads into a small opening, cut into the wall next to the pathway. "Which way?" I ask Verve. It shies away from the opening.
    "You don't like that way, do you? Do you sense something? Danger? Well, that's what we're here for," I lead the way, into the opening. I walk in a few steps and plant a torch on the wall. The light only carries so far, but it's clear this is a large underground space. I hear water running somewhere in the distance. I turn to see if Verve has dared follow me. Verve is nowhere to be seen.
    Sluip! I turn back, what was that sound? I reach into my pocket and ready my sword. In the corner of my eye, I see a flash of red! Something passes between the torch and me, engulfing me in shadowy darkness. I feel the same thing I felt that first day on Spider Sands. Not the pain, but the fear I felt moments before the pain. The cold and tingling skin feeling of a physical body, but that doesn't make sense to my virtual, blocky body. I feel impending doom!
    The shadow is on top of me. I see light around it, forming the image of many legs protruding from a central body. A giant spider! Too late, I can't turn fast enough to strike! In a split second, my body tightens, bracing for the impact and pain.
    Hiss, thud! Verve catches the spider off guard, pouncing on it from the side. Verve and the spider are a tangled mess. The spider seems confused, as Verve prepares for another attack. Instinctively I swing my sword.  
    Sluip-ahhhh, the spider turns over, dead. Poof, it disappears, leaving string. I don't know if I'll ever get used to the creepy sounds spiders make.
    "Verve, you saved me. Thank you," I say, feeling mentally exhausted.
    Happy to have more string, Verve and I make our way out of the underground space back to the spiraling pathway. Looking up, I see the sky, way up there. From the change in shadows above, it looks as if the sun is nearing the western skyline. Time to leave, if we are going to make it home before it gets dark.
    As we carefully make our way to the surface, something bothers me. I can't shake this thought. Whenever danger is near I feel something. It's not something digital, like the pain of being attacked or the pain of drowning. It's something different. Something real . How is it I have these feelings in this digital body?  
    I don't understand. I can't remember specifics about my physical life, but I do know these feelings are from the physical world. These are not feelings that belong in this virtual world.
    Reaching the surface I look around, orienting myself. It's funny how disorienting it is being underground. I turn to Verve. "Verve, where are you?" I call. I hear a rustling from the jungle trees. Verve walks out into the open. A small ocelot follows.
    "Verve, you're a mother," I say. "Come here, kitty."
    Purreow, and it