Eden Book 1 (Eden Series) by David Holley

Author:David Holley [Holley, David]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, azw3, epub
Publisher: Misery Loves Company
Published: 2012-10-31T20:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Evelyn cautiously leads her small group back up the very same incline that, just moments before, they had frantically been trying to escape from. The dust has cleared, and slowly, they inch their way up the obstructed path, littered with rubble. They encounter Noah, his arms around Josette, her face buried in his chest, sobbing as usual.

Noah raises his hand to stop them. “Before you come any further, be warned.”

Heeding his words, they stop dead in their tracks.

“Craig’s body is behind me. He was struck and killed by rocks. His skull has been shattered, and the sight of him is… ghastly. You won’t want to see him, I assure you.” He says nothing more, but escorts Josette to Evelyn, who greets both of them with open arms, tears welling in her eyes.

She looks at Noah and mouths, Is she alright?

He shakes his head no, and says aloud, “Take her away from this while I take care of Craig and while you’re down there find a suitable place to set up camp.”

“Of course.” Evelyn takes Josette under her wing and leads her down the path with Luna following.

Noah’s words resonate throughout the group, and no one dares take another step. Some of them weep, while others reach out for an arm or hand to hold. Standing in a broken circle, they appear lost as they come to grips with yet another member of their tribe gone in the blink of an eye. Hiroshi and Hank eventually break from the others and proceed toward Craig’s body, followed by Max and Jacob. The others go back down the hill, wanting no part of the carnage.

When Hank sees Craig, he gasps and quickly turns his head. Trying with all of his will not to vomit, he runs to join the others fleeing the scene.

Hiroshi is soon joined by Jacob and Max, who both shudder when they see the horrific fate of their fallen friend. Little remains of Craig’s caved-in head. The top of his skull is shattered; fragments of bone and brain are strewn across the rubble and his right eye bulges far out from its socket in a way that resembles a pickled egg. His jaw is completely unhinged, and blood and mucus pulse in fits and spurts, splattering against the dust and ruin.

Noah finds a large rock off to the side, which he rests next to Craig before giving terse orders: “Jake and Max, go back down with the others and help set up camp. There’s not much light left, so move quickly.”

Rather than obeying him, they stand frozen, transfixed by the macabre scene.

“Go on,” says Hiroshi, with surprising firmness. He nudges Jacob, who in turn reaches out to Max, pulling him away. They begin to trudge slowly down the hill, shaking their heads in disbelief.

“You can join them if you prefer,” Noah tells Hiroshi, as he grabs another large rock.

“No. I will help you.” Hiroshi steps forward, and together they pile rocks over Craig’s body in silence. In short time, the corpse is covered by a heap of stones.

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