The cave. Moss grew on its walls. Puddles shone with reflections through the dark. The light grew dimmer with each step. It seemed like the habitat of a ghost - and not the friendly Casper-type for sure.
Bernis had joined 'friends' - who considered him as an acquaintance - on a journey to prove his manhood.
He was quite petite for his age - twenty-three years old to be exact. Back in the day, visitors used to accuse his siblings of stealing his food. He hated those comments. With a single look at his petite frame, and his huge eyes that sparkled every time any sort of emotion overwhelmed them, you could say he was eighteen, give or take a couple of years.
The journey he'd started with some amount of bravery to prove himself was now the cause of his paining fingers. He'd gnawed his fingernails down to the quick. He expected the challenge to involve a lot of weight lifting, athletic activities, activities meant to prove his strength, but he was wrong. His aching muscles cursed at him for training so hard in preparation for the challenge.
Bernis' petite frame trembled, not only from the cold, but also from the scary environment topped by his friends' scares. A single "boo" from his friend was enough to send his trembling hands to the core of his chest for warmth. Otherwise, his fingers would freeze. Bernis trailed behind. He considered it safer to be closer to the exit to avoid first contact with anything deadly.
One of his friends, Luka, also trailed behind; walking alongside Bernis, afraid to be alone. Luka's legs were jelly, his facial muscles tense. His eyes moved around in search of danger; open and nor blinking. From within his skull, the whites of his eyes screamed a cry for help.
Bernis wondered why Luka had previously joined the bullies in mocking him. The man seemed more terrified than he was.
A sudden change in atmosphere made Bernis' heart stop. It suddenly smelt like terror. The air felt like it was being sucked out and getting replaced by a vacuum. The aura surrounding them commanded a flight response. Whatever was lurking could only be fought off with the wish to die. None of them were ready to leave the world, especially not in a cave. What a non-manly way to go.