Apocalypse the Blossoming by Miranda Martin

Author:Miranda Martin [Martin, Miranda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-11T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

I had assumed that the journey through this gate would be the same as my last. I was wrong. Instead of traveling down a long tunnel, albeit a dark one instead of light, I step out into a city square. It’s dark, like night has fallen, but there’s no signs of the Apocalypse. The buildings are not destroyed or decaying. No signs of the bombings. There’s not even any monsters or screams of tortured souls or anything to indicate that we’re in a hell realm.

Well-dressed people walk around going about their business. They all look like they’re wearing their Sunday best. Dressed to the nines as if they’ve gone out for a show, putting themselves on display for all to see. Several of them glance at us, and I’m immediately self-conscious. I’m drenched in sweat and can’t smell very good after all that has happened.

I turn a slow circle, my mouth agape, unsure what to make of this. A couple glance at me, shaking their heads. The man is obviously a demon—he has red skin and horns—but he’s dressed in a gray tuxedo with a walking stick and even a monocle. The woman with him, who looks completely human, is wearing a dress that looks like it came out of an old Western. It’s light blue, floor-length, with a cinched waist and a bustle in the back. She even has a bonnet on her head. They lean close to each other and whisper. They hurry away as if I’m the frightening one.

“Don’t wear your disbelief on your face,” Rafe says, stepping close. “Especially here. They’ll use that.”

I snap my mouth shut, taking his advice.

“It’s just —,” I stop, unable to find the words.

“I know,” Rafe says, smiling. He places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “It’s not what you expected. I got that. That doesn’t make it any less dangerous. If anything, it’s more dangerous.”

I guess that makes sense. What’s more dangerous? The devil in disguise, or the one who comes at you openly? I know I always prefer the one who comes at you openly. At least then you know where you stand.

“We should move quickly,” Silas says.

“I agree,” Rafe says. “I’m going to have to do some deals though.”

“Is that wise?” Efram asks.

“It is what it is,” Rafe says, uncharacteristically somber.

Nathaniel keeps to himself, obviously uncomfortable. His head is jerking from side to side as if he’s trying to see everything at once. Knowing him, he probably is.

“How long will this take?” Nathaniel asks.

“I’ll make it as quick as possible,” Rafe answers. “In the meantime, we need to move this way.”

We follow Rafe as he leads the way across the town square. The center of this area is a small open park. Trees, grass, and small benches dot the picturesque landscape. A sidewalk skirts around the outside of it, which Rafe keeps us on. I feel eyes on us more than I see them. Every time I try to catch people looking, they’re not. It’s as if they sense before I turn my head that I’m about to look.

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