[ WP ] A mountaintop city resides in an otherwise featureless sea of clouds . Every evening at sunset , the city seals itself off from the outside world until morning . Your main character is stuck outside one night when the doors close .

`` OY! David! Throw me a knife, would ya? Got a good one over here!'' 
 
 
 I crouched down, feet splashing in the water as I eyed my prize. Two feet of feathery red tendril undulated just below the surface of the lake, swaying gently in the current. 
 
 David splashed down beside me, sheathed knife in hand. `` Whatcha got there? Ooooo, a big one! Mind if I take a chunk? It has to be at two kilos!'' 
 
 `` Ha! You wish mate! You know I need this money as much as you do! Got a kid on the way now, after all!'' I laughed. Flowreed was rare in the rest of the world - native only to the mountaintop lakes near the village - and for its medicinal properties, it was highly coveted. A plume this size would be worth quite a bit, enough to feed a small family for a month. 
 
 `` Yeah yeah James, I know. But he's gon na be such a little blighter, he wo n't eat much now will he?'' David laughed as well, offering the knife. `` Seriously though mate, congrats! Reed harvesting can be hit or miss at the best of times, its good to get a bit of luck now and again.'' 
 
 `` Still...'' he said, pulling the knife back. `` You should really carry your own knife. Never know when you will come across a windfall like this. Someone might try to... SNATCH it, you know what I mean?'' 
 
 I snatched at the blade, and he grinned and let me take it `` I DO have my own knife!'' I grinned, pointing to the sheath I had buckled across my chest. `` Would n't want it to go dull cutting through something this thick, now, would I?'' 
 
 David roared with laughter and shook his head. `` Cheeky blighter. Hey, me and the crew are gon na head back. Starting to get late, you know! Do n't want to be caught in the fog. I will let them know you are coming, takes a bit for them to get going so you should be alright to catch us up.'' 
 
 He scampered up the steep hillside, showering me with shale. 
 
 `` Make sure you get back inside before dark! Do n't want them to lock you out!'' 
 
 
 `` Will do mate. Make sure you kick their asses into gear, would n't want EVERYONE to get stuck out just because Old John is being an ass again!'' 
 
 David laughed again and clambered away towards where we had set up camp early that morning. Bending over, I splashed my way out to where the vine met the seabed and began the arduous process of sawing through its tough tendrils. 
 
 
 
 *** 
 
 Part 2 coming! I have n't even gotten to the good part yet! 

