《Moonrise Over the Sky Cities》The Silver City - Part 5
Advertisement
That evening, Scarlett disappeared into the room Basil had arranged for her without having dinner and I heard nothing from her for the rest of the night. I guess she’d been tired. I wasn’t feeling very hungry either, but I forced down a hunk of bread and then lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. With my mind as troubled as it was, I doubted I’d get much sleep. Eventually thought, I drifted off…
***
I squinted in the glare of the afternoon sun, which hung overhead. It was bright against the blue of the open sky, and not a cloud could be seen as far as I looked. A light breeze wafted in over the crest of the green hill that rose behind me, sending grass flying into the air, only to drift down to the ground around me once more. I heard the sound of a children’s laughter, and the two girls bolted past me, their faces bright with cheer as they chased after each other. Their bare feet crunched the fresh shards of verdant beneath their dainty toes as they ran through the summer meadow.
I made my way after them and caught up when they collapsed in hysterics beneath a tree. I smiled. It made sense that Avi and Emilia would get along. They were a similar age, and they seemed to be able to talk for hours on end. I took a seat in the shade some distance from them and watched as they laughed together. The scene was so soothing. I sighed.
I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed in the fresh air. It was a perfect day. My skin still tingled with the heat of the sun, and the ground on which I sat was not even, but it didn’t bother me in the slightest.
Advertisement
A few moments later, I became aware of the silence around me. Huh? I opened my eyes. The sky above had darkened. It was red and filled with quickly growing, black clouds. As I turned my gaze downwards, I felt a stab of pain to my head. Blood. So much of it.
Avi and Emilia lay in a pool of crimson, the white of their eyes showing. Their heads hung limply from their necks, and their chests were still and lifeless. I heard a loud pounding. It grew in tempo with each passing moment. I realised it was my heartbeat. I couldn’t control it. I gasped for air. My vision was blurring. The two girls began to merge into one.
I looked down at my shaking hands, and discovered that they had become bony, covered in a layer of dark fur, and sporting sharp, yellowed nails. From the tips, red liquid ran down my fingers. I turned my hands over a few times. Yes, it was definitely blood. Had I done this? When I looked again, I was cradling the corpse. I killed her.
No, how could I have? But I did. I killed her.
Shards of memory passed by my eyes, like fragments of glass flying from the impact of a stone with a mirror. As they spun through the air, I caught a glimpse of the past. Monsters surrounding me. Emilia at my side. I killed her.
I was lashing out. Blood was flying. I killed her.
They fell before me, but so did she. I killed her.
I killed her, I killed her, I killed her… The words kept repeating themselves as they swirled around me. Everything had turned to red. A blur of death and pain that consumed my vision. I screamed but I heard no sound. My head felt ready to burst. I could feel the nails of my wolfish hands digging into my skull and I tried to block out the agony, but it made not difference. Finally, cracks appeared in the haze of crimson, before spreading to my body as I shattered.
Advertisement
“Sander!”
***
I bolted upright so fast I gave myself whiplash. I was breathing heavily. From one side, the light of morning was pouring in through the thin curtains which concealed the bedroom window. I kept softly muttering the words, over and over, until she placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Are you okay?”
I turned to her. Scarlett’s expression was one of deep concern. I turned away and brushed aside her hand.
“You look tired,” I said.
She frowned. “I have a raging headache, if you must know.”
Normally I might have made some remark about how poorly she handled such a small amount of drink, but my head was pounding. I could barely think.
“Here,” she said, placing a cold glass of water between my hands.
I nodded and brought it up to my lips. I gulped down a small bit and then set it aside. Immediately I regretted it. I flew from beneath my covers and rushed to the bathroom, where I threw up what little dinner I’d had the night before into the toilet. I could smell the blood. On my hands. On my face. It felt like it had run all the way up my nose and into my brain.
No, that wasn’t right, I thought, holding my head in my hands. It had started in my brain. It was all in my head. There was no blood. No Emilia – she’d died five years ago. It was an illusion. A cruel trick. A prank. There was no Avi either, gods knew where she was or if she was still alive.
When I got shakily back to my feet, I groaned and flushed the toilet. I rinsed my face in the basin, then dried it with the hand towel. When I turned to leave the bathroom, Scarlett was leaning against the doorway, watching me with solicitude.
“I’m fine,” I said.
“No, you’re not. You look like shit.”
“Thanks.”
She rolled her eyes. “You can stay up here and sleep longer if you –”
“No.” I made my way to where I’d left a fresh pair of clothes and began stripping.
Scarlett averted her eyes with an irritated ‘hmph’. “You don’t look tough, you know.”
I dressed quickly and pulled on my coat. “What’s that?”
“Never mind.”
“I need a smoke.” I opened the bedroom window and took out my pipe. As I leaned out into the open air, my pipe in hand, I realised something. “Say, how did you get in here?”
“You didn’t lock the door.”
As I sucked in a puff, I tried to recall the previous night. I guess I hadn’t.
“Well, if you’re going to come done, we’d best get going. We told Basil we’d meet him in an hour from now.”
I nodded and replaced my pipe in my pocket. It had helped; a little – I wasn’t so shaky now. Just then I noticed that the Lunar Knight had tied up her hair in a ponytail. Normally she left it down.
“That looks good,” I said, as I stepped out of my room and into the hallway.
“Oh,” she said, averting her eyes. “Thanks.”
I thought I caught the glimpse of a smile as I locked the door behind me.
Advertisement
Quiet life, The Cycle Book 1
I lived my long life among the shining towers of steel. I raised myself high as I brought my enemies low. I faltered and picked myself up, only to soar to new heights. But in the end, I lie alone with nobody to hold my shaking hand—only the lonely sky bare witness to my dying breath. I think once more, why, what was the point in this life? What did I accomplish with my worldly deeds? A sigh and an unfamiliar yet familiar voice echo inside my soul. "You have yet to understand." Then darkness enfolds my consciousness once more. Nothingness comes to swallow me whole. It would seem I must try again, why doth these spirits or gods not tell me this lesson I must learn. Cover art by - gej302.
8 233The Almighty Merchant's Odyssey: Through Zar'Goth
Have you ever wondered if what we see and know is all that defines this world?Have you ever wondered if the place we call home is rightfully ours?Have you ever wondered if the sole reason for our existence is an ancient oath?This is the story of a race that blossomed in the safety of ignorance and another suffering at the hands of fate. Will they look beyond their ignorant selves?Will they succeed in fulfilling their destiny? On his 18th birthday, Rhys began his chaotic and supernatural adventures. On this fateful day, he got embroiled in a fight for survival. What role will he play in this complicated world? Will he be able to go past the veil of mystery and uncover the true origins of his family? Join him on his journey full of fun and endless mysteries. P.S. I don't own the cover photo. I found it on google.
8 82A Mutant Magus's Journal
Mazran wanted to become a magus since the day he was saved by one. Hydapset is burdened with glorius purpose in a secret war for the free multiverse. Jayadrath joins the sacred order to get revenge on the demon that killed his family. All struggling to survive the uncaring void of existence. As magic regains its glory, and a new golden age arrives, watch the curtains lift upon the first magus world war and the rise of new legends upon the graves of the old!
8 59The Hero's Sidekick
Life is great when you're the hero. You're handsome, charismatic, you've got girls throwing themselves at you left and right. You're handy with a sword, you know how to lead by example, you've got a grand destiny ahead of you. Despite all of your hardships, no matter what comes your way you've got what it takes to overcome it. So what happens if you're not the hero, but his sidekick? Turns out being second fiddle to the main event isn't nearly so glamorous. But a hero only stands tall when he's got others to hold him up. This is the story of a hero and his oft-overlooked, sarcastic little sidekick...
8 197HELL NO!!! I'm Never Gonna Get Married To You!
Be careful what you wish for, because sometimes wishes come true... especially if you wish for something NOT to happen! Andy Carter ends up in the bed with Austin Blake, a rich arrogant guy, just before she gets to know she's going to have to marry him. Some family traditions and business deals made these two, totally opposite people, bind in an intangible force of.... LOVE... Hate transforming into unconditional Love.........Lust-filled intentions turning into unending Love.........But somethings won't just let them be together!Will Andy Carter ever going to get married to Austin Blake??A twisty, jealous, juicy, cranky, lustful, Arranged Love Story.......
8 113Beastly
Beastly- very unpleasant, cruel, unrestrained."You know beauty fell in love with the beast" "Yeah but he didn't kill her father"This amazing cover was made by the beautiful and talented @zealouszoeyStarted - 16th May 2016Finished -16th April 2018
8 53