Genesis (The Exodus Trilogy) Read Online Free PDF Page B

looked like frosted glass that let in daylight. And along every wall, there were some torches that gave the cavern a warm glow.
    Then she noticed the murals. Every wall was covered in them, detailed scenes depicting these creatures along with various beasts and natural scenery. Although worn, they were colorful and vivid. She felt her jaw dropping as she noticed one scene in particular. A creature looking similar to Jujjj, only with more gray in its fur, stood greeting another creature that looked very different from the ones surrounding her. It was humanoid.
    Nick GILBERT
     
    He was dying. He had a vague recollection that he’d once believed death was like moving through a tunnel, and he’d expected to be moving toward the light. But everything was black. There was no pain. But that didn’t surprise him. Pain was for the living, and he was closer to death than to life. That much he knew. He wished he could see, though. It would be nice to say goodbye. To whom? Fear suddenly welled up in him. He didn’t remember. In fact, he didn’t remember who he was or what had happened. He tried to concentrate, and a face appeared vaguely in his mind, before it faded. A man. He was unable to hold a single thought for long; it was just bits and pieces of memories that came and went before he fully comprehended what they meant. A man, wearing a mask, was on his knees before a black-clad soldier. The soldier had no face, just a shiny black visor. A shot, and the man on his knees slumped over on his side. The same man, different time, happy, drunk? A friend. Three, no four men, with guns, trying to hold back a wave of enemies. It was the masked men again. Killing them all. Why?
    He tried to focus on his friend, but everything seemed to fade away before he could hold on. He realized he was flying—no, not flying. Floating. A voice in the distance said something he couldn’t understand. A woman. She sounded angry. He slipped out of consciousness again. He let go and dreamed of a green, lush garden. A pasture, with flowers he couldn’t name, every color more vibrant than should be possible. A man with a mask across his nose and mouth. A friendly face. Then snow fell, and what he thought was the most beautiful thing ever became a fairy tale picture of winter. Silence, the snow muffling every sound. A different face appeared again, vaguely familiar. He looked old. Tired. He shouted something, but it was impossible to hear. A flash, then another. Fear. War. He was a soldier. The realization came suddenly, like a flash of lightning. Then he was back in the darkness, floating. He began to realize he wasn’t dying at all. And he wasn’t floating anymore. Feeling began to return to him, and though the ground beneath him felt solid and secure, he realized he didn’t know his own name.
    His head had begun to throb. Faint at first, then more insistent. He felt dizzy and his stomach churned. He tried to lift his right hand to feel his head, but it was stuck in something. A cast. And it hurt something fierce! He winced. Then he tried his left arm. He was able to move it slightly, but something held it back, something cold at his wrist. He was cuffed to something. He didn’t try to loosen it any further. He needed to think. He was wounded, obviously. His arm and head hurt, and it felt worse with every second passing. He was a soldier. He’d had a friend who’d been killed. His name… He had it on the tip of his tongue. Pete. Who was Pete?
    “I am…” he began, but his head throbbed, and he trailed off. Whoever he was, he was a prisoner. But who had taken him? And why? He moved his lips, whispering silently. Who was he? A sound nearby, and light streamed in, blinding, searing light penetrating the darkness. Harsh words he didn’t understand. He closed his eyes. The sharp light made the pain in his head explode. His name… The woman’s voice made it hard to think, and then suddenly the door slammed shut. Darkness once again enveloped him.