(eng) Neil Mosspark by The Black

Author:The Black [Black, The]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Dave tried not to think about how they were walking away from Tony’s body. The growing darkness was mirroring his mood, and he barely noticed the properties of the ground around him changing with each step.

The grasslands built over the next few hours to a slight rise in the ground. Flattened blades of grass on the trail gave way to a sterile brown-purple hard-packed earth. Part of his mind noted it as similar to the soil they had found in the tunnel. The path was still flanked by grass, but it had grown taller, almost chest height. A mix of weeds and yellow flowers displaced it in numerous places.

Coming to the top of the rise, Dave lifted his head. In the dwindling light, he could see the next ring of buildings rising like broken teeth against the grey backdrop.

“We can’t stay indoors tonight. We will hide in the grass, a ways off the trail. They will expect us to continue to the city.”

“They?” Dave said. “You still think they are following?”

“No, they are waiting for us. The queen already knows we are here.”

“Why us… me? I mean, why does it matter that we are here?”

“I don’t know… maybe she perceives you as a threat. Maybe you have something she needs,” Serif stated. He turned at a sharp angle away from the path, feeling through the grass with his blade, searching for pockets of heavy gravity in the dark.

“None of this makes sense…” Dave said, watching his footing in the dark.

“We will stop here.”

“What about your other friend? The archer?” Dave asked.

“He will meet us at the bridge.”

Dave squatted down in the grass next to Serif and Genie. “There’s a bridge?”

“Quiet now. Stay silent until morning. Get your rest. The grass will hide us, but you must not speak.”

Dave nodded in the dark, realizing afterward that the man probably couldn’t see the gesture. Ever so slowly, the complete darkness crept in. Dave wrapped himself in his blanket, putting his head down on the pack.

The breeze was stronger now, and Dave could feel it blowing his hair. Lying down in the tall grass, he stared blindly at the wall of blackness. His hand came out in front of him, and he wiggled his fingers. Nothing. Not even an outline.

The strong breeze swished the grass. Despite his hardest efforts to stay awake in case of another attack, exhaustion overtook him. Dave sank into a deep dreamless sleep.

* * *

The smell of a small cooking fire roused him. The grey light was fading in. A small metal pan sizzled meat in the centre, with a pile of eggs.

“Good morning,” Serif said to Dave almost cheerfully.

“Morning,” Dave said, sitting up, for the first time in two days considering how empty his stomach was.

He almost turned to wake Tony. Dave’s heart sank at the idea that his friend was no longer with them. It would take a long time to get over the loss. It sat like a lead weight in his stomach mixing with the guilt.

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