A Brief Reprieve

The cave was a welcome relief from the horrors of Temptation Forest. The only sound was their ragged breathing and the distant rustling of leaves, as if the forest still searched for them.

Elara slumped against the rocky wall, stretching her aching legs. “I hate this place.”

Darius groaned as he dropped beside her. “I really hate this place.” He rubbed his shoulder where a thorned vine had nearly torn his arm off hours earlier. “Never trusting a plant again.”

Elara chuckled, the sound light despite their exhaustion. “I’d say that’s a solid rule to live by.”

Silence settled between them, but for the first time since their escape, it wasn’t a tense, desperate silence. It was a relieved one. They had made it; at least for now.

Darius exhaled, staring up at the jagged ceiling. Then, out of nowhere, he asked, “What is your favorite book?”

Elara blinked at him. “What?”

He turned his head to look at her. “Your favorite book. If we’re going to be stuck here for a while, we might as well talk about something not life threatening.”

Elara smirked, shaking her head. “That’s what you want to ask me? After everything we just went through?”

Darius shrugged. “Hey, near death experiences make me reflective.”

She thought for a moment, then smiled. “The Ballad of Eliza Gray. It’s an old story about a warrior who gives up everything for the people she loves.”

Darius nodded. “Sounds fitting.”

Elara tilted her head. “And yours?”

Darius grinned. “The Rogue and the Crown. It’s about a thief who accidentally becomes king.”

Elara snorted. “Why am I not surprised?”

Darius chuckled, but before he could respond, a distant sound echoed from the cave’s entrance.

Something was out there.

Their brief reprieve was over.

Written for: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge" 
Prompt Words: “What's your favorite book?”
Word Count: 294