by Amal, C. O.
She giggled. “Joe, you really don’t know anything do you? If I have all the powers I need I wouldn’t have called you in the first place. My kind are being hunted down.” She said. Sadness loomed in her voice.
“So there are more things like you here?” I asked.
“Not here. They are far away in other planets.” She said.
Suddenly light start to pour in from all the place. I had to close my eyes due to the high intensity of the light.
“Joe, wake up.” Maria’s voice can be heard from somewhere. “Joe?”
“Keep heading south.” Evelyn’s voice can be heard faintly.
I opened my eyes and found myself in the living room of the house we slept through the night. Maria was shaking me hard.
“How many times do I have to call you? Do you need an alarm clock to tell you it is morning? What the hell is happening with you?” Maria asked a series of questions.
I massaged the back of my head and stood up. “Another dream about the sanctuary.”
“Why you’re the only one seeing these dreams?” Maria asked.
“Does it matter?” I asked. “We all are going the same way.”
“Well I am curious. So what does the dream say about this sanctuary?” Maria asked.
“We have to keep heading south.” I said. “Where is everybody?” I looked around.
“Hello? Unlike you they are already up and are currently waiting for you outside.” She said.
“Okay. Then let’s move out.” I said.
Maria nodded. We slowly exited the house and found others standing near the side of the long road. It was mostly night when we came to the safety of the house and now the road can be seen more clearly. There are rusted cars there and there and yellow and brown leaves are everywhere on the road.
“Did you had any dreams about sanctuary?” Luc asked.
“Yes. Didn’t you?” I asked.
“No. No one but you had the dreams. So what does it say?” Luc asked.
“We should keep going south.” I said.
“Okay. Then move out.” Danny said.
Everyone nodded. We slowly continued our journey. Hanna and Maria held their hands each other and Hanna began to sing a song.
Wind, wind, swing me in to the sky
Rain, rain wet me from the sky
In this day, under the shining sun,
Kiss me on the cheek.
In this day, under the shining sun,
Fall from the sky like fireworks.
Wind, wind, swing me in to the sky
Rain, rain wet me from the sky.
We all sung Hanna’s song a few times. We enjoyed our walk. A cool breeze flew through our fingers cooling us down.
Suddenly a shriek came from behind us. We all turned back and saw what it is. Three big wolfish dogs are running towards us. We all froze for a moment with panic. The wolfish dogs are running with their mouth open, showing the sharp teeth.
“Run!” Somehow I managed to say.
We bolted into a run through the wrecked road.
Chapter 10
A.D. 2087, Path to Sanctuary
We all ran at the maximum speed we have mustered. Before long we saw a big wall and there is a metallic gate in the centre of the wall.
We rushed towards the gate and as soon as we reached there we started climbing through the gate. Maria helped Hanna climb up and then she climbed. Me and Luc first reached the other side of the gate.
“Hanna, jump! I will catch you.” I said.
Hanna quickly jumped into my hands from the top of the gate. Jacobson, Sophie, Maria and Danny safely started to climb down. Lara is pretty slow. She barely reached the top of the gate.
Suddenly the screech of the dogs came from near the gate.
“Lara, hurry.” I yelled.
Suddenly it happened. One wolfish dog jumped onto Lara and clawed her back. Lara fell down from the gate. She was nearly on top of the gate but sadly the dog caught her.
Maria held her hand across Hanna’s eyes since showing whatever going to happen next to a young little girl is very dangerous.
“Lara?” Danny began to thrash the metal gate screaming out loud. “Let her go you bitches.”
Lara is in pain now. She finally stood up and began to climb again but one wolfish dog came from the side and bit her in the head. The dog is actually tall as a grown man.
Me and Luc released our arrows from our bows through the gaps on the gate. Arrows hit the dogs in the chest but the dog who bit in Lara’s head crushed her head. Arrows are ineffective against these creatures. Blood and brain matter sprayed everywhere. Some of the blood sprayed on top of Danny who is still crying and thrashing at the gate.
One dog bit on Lara’s limp leg and dragged her away from the scene. Other two dogs stared at us growling for some time. Then they also left the scene. Me and Jacobson quickly went near Danny and placed our hands on his shoulders.
“Come on Danny, we still are not safe.” Jacobson said.
“My freaking wife is dead and you’re telling me to continue the journey?” Danny stormed at Jacobson.
“Come on Danny, you know better than this. We need to reach sanctuary or we all are gonna die like this. Do you want that?” I asked.
“I just need a little time.” Danny went to a side and cried like a baby.
“Give him some time.” I said.
“There may be more of those things here too. We can’t stay in the open.” Jacobson said with worry.
“We will continue our journey but he needs a little time to settle things down.” I said looking at Danny.
Suddenly growl came from the forest beyond the gates from where we have escaped a little while ago.
“Come on Danny, we need to go.” I called Danny.
Danny is still crying. Jacobson quickly went near Danny and he forced him to move. We all continued walking. Sharp growls and shrieks came from behind us. We didn’t mind it. Panic is already in our core but we actually don’t have time to fear anymore. This is how the world have become now. If you hesitate lives will be lost. It’s survival of the strongest now.
“What happened to Miss Lara?” Hanna asked Maria.
“She is in a better place now. Don’t talk about it okay.” Maria said don’t wanting to scare the little girl.
Hanna already lost too much. First her daddy, now her friend, but the little girl doesn’t know that. She is still young, not a type of person for this new world. One day or another she needs to know the truth but not today.
The road we are now walking is very open and only a few trees have grown through the road. Of course there are lot of trees on the sides but the road is mostly clear of leaves and vehicles.
Before long the sun moved to its highest position in the sky. We ate the fruits in our bag to extinguish our hunger. On the way we saw many houses which are claimed by trees and shrubs. Most houses are a wreck. In the war the crazies burned down most houses.
During the war most people hid in their homes, but the crazies got inside most of the houses and killed normal people for no reason. Millions of innocent children and women died in the first days of the war. Military tried to control the situation but the crazies were even inside military.
Most of the world were destroyed in the war and one day all of a sudden forest began to grow everywhere. In the beginning there wasn’t much trees, most places were covered in large multi-story buildings. Within one year forest covered the entire world. With the presence of large forests wild animals began to thrive, but unlike these wolfish dogs most wild animals will run away if human presence is detected.
We don’t know from where these wolfish dogs are coming from, it must not be a good place. I hope these things will kill all the crazies so that we have a chance to live here.
A moment later we entered into an old city named Miller field. There are many multi-story buildings here but a green coloured flora is growing everywhere on the buildings, not to mention the unholy growth of vines.
&
nbsp; When we got thirsty we drank water from out bottles and whenever hunger sets in, we ate the fruits. In the afternoon all our food supply got expended. We need to find food or we will never going to reach the sanctuary.
We slowly paced through the dark road.
Part 3 – Danger Everywhere
*****
Chapter 11
A.D. 2087, Path to Sanctuary
We aren’t anywhere near a promising place. And we are hungry.
“We need to find food fast or this little girl is gonna die.” Jacobson said pointing at the tired form of Hanna.
Hanna is really tired after our long walk. In fact we all are tired.
“You know, we are trying our best.” I said.
“How about meat? There will be plenty of deer or rabbits around here.” Sophie said.
We reached near the wreckage of a city centre. We all stopped and examined things. I saw a big field with large grass in the north direction.
“Okay, me and Jacob will go and look for something to eat from that field. Luc will protect you guys.” I sighed deeply and said.
“Okay. We will wait here in that old building.” Luc said pointing at a building which looks survived the war.
“We can also stay here for the night.” Sophie said.
“Okay.” I said.
“Be safe.” Maria said.
“You too.” I said to Maria.
Me and Jacobson slowly started our walk towards the green field. The surrounding looks extremely quiet. Not a soul to be seen. Not even a bird.
A few moments later we reached near the green field. We are welcomed by the chirping of birds. I sighed and entered into the field with my bow and arrow. Jacobson followed right behind me.
“Apple tree!” Suddenly Jacobson said pointing at our left side.
I looked in the direction Jacobson pointed and saw what he had said. It is a big tree with large canopy. We rushed toward the tree. Sadly all the branches are far away from our hand’s reach.
“I will climb and collect apples. You go ahead and find some meat.” Jacobson said.
“Okay. Will you be okay alone?” I asked.
“Yeah.” Jacobson said.
I slowly marched towards the centre of the green field. Not far away I saw a herd of deer grazing through the land. Near the herd of deer I spotted white rabbits in their burrow. There is in fact several rabbits there and there.
I took aim at a nearest rabbit and waited for the perfect opportunity. Then I saw something else. I went a little farther into the green field to look what it is. I think I saw a body! A human body! A moment later I saw it clearly. It’s a body of a girl. I slowly approached. Now I can clearly see it. Suddenly the body moved. The girl is alive but she is restrained. I looked around but saw no one else.
I went near the girl and saw her clearly. She is in fact a young woman with long black hair. A cloth piece is tied around her head across the mouth which prevent her from speaking. Her hands and legs are restrained by thick ropes. Then she saw me. She violently shook her head trying to say something.
I slowly approached her and removed the cloth piece from her head.
“Help me! Please?” She pleaded.
“Who are you?” I asked.
“Those mad men will be back soon. They are right inside that forest. Please, I don’t want to die.” She said pointing at a forest using her head.
I looked at the forest she pointed at. Without thinking I took the knife from my waist line and cut away the restraints from her leg and hands. She slowly sat up looking everywhere. Then she bolted into a run.
“Run for your lives.” She said on the way.
“Well how about a thank you or your name?” I said myself.
I looked around and she disappeared from my view. From what she had said there may be those crazies around here. Better escape now. I quickly ran towards Jacobson. At the time I reached there, Jacobson already filled his back pack with apples.
“Why are you empty handed?” He asked.
“There are crazies here. We need to escape fast.” I said panting.
“Okay.” Jacobson said.
We quickly sprinted towards where we left our friends. A few moments later I saw Maria and Hanna outside in the open just outside the building we are supposed to spend the night. She saw us running and by the look of it she looks scared by our running.
“What happened?” Maria asked.
“I saved a woman who was restrained by the crazies. They were inside the forest. They may be now looking for her. We need to escape.” I said.
“But it’s already night. How can we travel in the night with those things outside?” Maria asked.
“I don’t know. We just have to find a way.” I said.
Danny and others came outside the building on hearing our conversation.
“If they are here, we need to run to wherever we can.” Luc said.
“Okay, we will move in our own way until it is pretty dark. They surely won’t look for us in the night.” Danny said.
“Right. We will go now.” I quickly began to lead everyone in the south direction.
“Ahh...” Suddenly a sharp pain coursed through the back of my head.
Something hit my head and I heard Maria’s scream. My world quickly went blank.
Chapter 12
A.D. 2087, Path to Sanctuary
I woke up with a sharp pain on the back of my head. The pain is coursing through my body. Someone had hit me in my head and whoever that is, the hit knocked me out completely. I slowly opened my eyes and I found myself tied to a wooden pole. There are firewood all around me.
I looked around and found Maria and Hanna on another wooden pole. A moment later I saw Luc and others on another pole. They all are tied to the poles and there are lot of firewood around them. It must be the crazies trying to burn us alive.
“Maria, are you alright?” I asked Maria.
“Do I look like I am alright?” Maria asked in a low voice. “There is pain all over my body. Those bitches hit me in the head with a baseball bat.”
“Oh shit, that’s bad. How is Hanna?” I asked.
“She is tired, mainly because of the lack of food.” Maria said. “What are they going to do to us?”
“I think they are going to burn us alive.” I said. It doesn’t matter whether I tell the truth or I lied. “I saw this before back at New Soberfield.”
“What? I don’t want to die Joe.” Maria began to cry.
“I see you’re awake.” A hoarse voice came from my back.
I turned my head and saw a tall man wearing torn shirt and jeans coming in my way.
“Let us go you bitches.” I said.
“Let you go?” He said. “Then how are we going to make the sacrifice to our god.”
“We will join you. Please let us go.” Maria pleaded.
“You can join us in heaven. Our god is very forgivable and a giver of life. And our god is real. You should be grateful that your life will be cured in our holy fire. All your sins will be forgiven.” He said. “All this time we believed in some shitty story about some crap man’s religious crap, but now god have come before us.”
“What god?” I asked.
“The god of all things you stupid prick. He showed himself to us. He appeared in front of us. He is magnificent and he will undo all the bad things happened to this place but first all pricks like you must cleanse in holy fire. His voice commanded us that.” He said.
“No god would say to kill his own people.” I said. “Your god must be a freak.”
“Who said you’re his people?” He said.
“You said yourself that he is the lord of all things. Then he must be the one who created all of us.” I said.
“You’re the cancerous cells in the human evolution. You should be burned alive and you will be.” He said.
“Please, at least let this little girl go.” Maria said.
“None shall escape the wrath of our god.” He said.
Sud
denly more crazies came out of the nearby buildings. Sun rose from the horizon and sunlight illuminated everything. A man came with an oil can and he started to pour oil all over the wood that surrounds us. More people with oil cans came and they all poured oil around Luc and others.