Ever Darkening (Darkening Light Book 1) by Janeal Falor

Author:Janeal Falor [Falor, Janeal]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: k'12
Publisher: UNKNOWN
Published: 2015-01-21T16:00:00+00:00

*

I jolt awake. My internal clock says it’s been about two and a half hours. Why did no one wake me? The villagers are moving about frantically, packing what little they have and rounding up their children. The bustle of their movements carries with it a hushed but harsh worry. Nothing appears wrong, except the fact that they have to go and their concern for what’s out there.

I sit up slowly, but no dizziness comes. More sleep would help, but it’s not bad. The gash in my leg and my wounded ankle are tender, as are the other cuts, but nothing that should hamper me too much.

After standing and still not feeling dizzy, I go in search of the reason no one woke me. I find my fellow Zophas in front of the door surrounded by villagers. They are patiently trying to work something out with the villagers, but by the stress lines forming, whatever it is, it’s taking its toll.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

Marsa huffs. “Some of the villagers want to get things from their houses. We told them they should leave their stuff behind. We don’t know what’s out there, and we don’t have time to get it.”

She’s right, but I can’t help but remember the way Foley looked before I fell asleep. The way his fingers gripped so lovingly at something as simple as the floor. They’re losing everything.

I turn toward the group. “You can go on three conditions. You move quickly. We are leaving in half an hour, no exceptions. You grab only what you can carry. No one else will be doing it for you. And you take one of us with you.”

The villagers’ faces ease, relaxing, though their gazes still dart toward the door. Marsa is miffed, her chin jutted out just enough to say so. Well, she doesn’t have to understand, just help, and she has a good heart. She’ll do it.

I arrange the villagers and Zophas as quickly as I can, making sure no one is missed and that we don’t waste time we don’t have. When everyone is ready, I put on my stern face and say, “Let’s go.”

We hurry the villagers along into the darkness with torches that give off little light. The forest is silent. After the noise and anger from before, it’s more nerve wracking.

They’re quick to get their things, just as agreed. We’re all making our way back when we hear a shuffle to the side of us.

“Did another villager follow us out of the hall?” Sosha asks.

“I don’t know,” I say. “I don’t think so. I can’t feel anyone else.”

Felix yells, “Hello? Anyone there?”

“Quiet!” Jorrin says.

And I know why he’s suddenly become snappish. A slithering of evil races across the back of me. I twirl around, my bad leg trying to give out, the flames of my torch whooshing. How can evil slither across evil?

“Get in the hall,” I demand, sword ready.

There’s scraping behind me, louder this time.

“It’s us,” Azleco yells from in front of me toward the hall.

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