The Eventide Child Read Online Free PDF Page B

and louder.
    “I can’t...!”
    “You must!”
    She found the strength within herself to keep running, pushing through the streets. The beast behind unleashed another fearsome roar as more lava and fire spewed forth into the city. The screams of the people filled the air. The Legion commanders barked orders as Ballista fired their payload, sending giant bolts soaring through the air. Some of the massive bolts even had chains wrapped around them intended to snare a large target and bring it down. Many missed, though some hit their marks as a deafening screech reached Alexandra’s ears followed by more flaming rocks crashing into the walls of Tripolis.
    “We’re almost there!”
    Her father’s voice provided much needed encouragement to keep her running. The sky had grown black with ash falling for miles around. Thick plumes of black smoke bellowed into the air from the smoldering buildings that created black clouds which lay heavy over the city. Soon, Alexandra and her father found themselves flanked by a mighty crowd of people fleeing the city in a panic. The gate was open, as the escaping citizens before them found a way to jam the device.
    “F-father! There’s still people...”
    “Just keep running!”
    “We could go back for the cart and the donkey and help people!”
    Her father didn't counter her argument as a large flaming rock zipped behind her, only to explode on the high stone tower that mounted one of the city’s many Ballista.
    “COME ON!”
    She didn’t need any encouragement that time. The fear and adrenaline kept her running now as embers danced through the air and stone crumbled and collapsed to the ground below.
    You need only ask, child, and this can end. You could save them. You could save them all.
    The voice mocked her. Tempted her. It offered her promises of peace, glimpses of salvation to her mind and memories of a time long past. It also reminded her of her dream. The dream she decided to keep to herself. The dream which left a city in ruin. The dream in which she was consumed by darkness.
    Alexandra shook her head. Running. Always running. She never stopped running, chasing her father she clasped his hand with her smaller one.
    They’d cleared the city, cleared the refugee camp and still they ran. She could barely see as the ash choked the air around her, paining her to breathe. The fine dress Tullius had given her was thoroughly tarnished during her escape.
    Others fleeing bumped into her, jostling her around though she dared not release her father’s hand. The ground continued to tremble. A quick glance over her shoulder revealed only darkness, the ash dancing through the air like snow. The faint flickers of a distant light bursting through the darkness as the battle against the titanic beast raged on within the city.
    “Just like the dream," she whispered. The trembling of the earth grew closer.
    “Hurry!” her father cried. She knew how this dream ended. Darkness. A never-ending, all consuming darkness. She had seen it before, felt it before. She had lived this moment so many times throughout her life. A thousand times she lived this moment and it never changed. This would be the end for her.
    She tried to cry out. Tried to muster a reply to her father, but she found herself unable to put words to purpose. All she could do was run. Run and pray to whatever God might be listening that salvation would deliver them from this apocalyptic nightmare. The darkness gave chase, rushing toward them.
    “I’m scared!” she finally managed, though her voice was lost in the chaos of the battle. The noise grew louder and the people around her all clamored for reprieve. Some shouted final curses, others called to the Gods to save them, while others screamed for their Messiah as The darkness consumed them. She didn’t see what happened to those who fell into the fog, but she dared not stop long enough to find out.
    You were but a child in the dream. Do you remember? The whispering voice