The Rending by S. E. Shinault

Author:S. E. Shinault [S. E. Shinault]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: S. E. Shinault
Published: 2023-11-28T00:00:00+00:00

The first thing Isaac noticed when he and Beth stumbled out of the ship was the brilliant, icy blue light that pierced the open night air. Looking up, he saw an ominous, looming structure climbing into the sky, emitting that haunting light. Isaac instantly recognized the dreaded beacon that stood at the heart of Lincoln City, and his mouth went dry. He didn’t know what the structure was used for, but it let off immense energy that made the hairs on his body stand on end, even from this distance.

Tearing his gaze away, his eyes darted around the area so he could get his bearings. It looked like the render ships had brought them to some kind of outpost just beyond Lincoln’s borders. No matter how he tried, he couldn’t keep his hands from trembling as intrusive thoughts of what the renders had in store penetrated his mind.

Isaac reluctantly followed the line of people ahead as the hunters routed them into an underground tunnel. Below the outpost, they were shoved into a large, poorly lit room where several other people were already present. A musty stench of body odor and moisture filled the space. With the last of the prisoners forced inside, the door slammed behind them with a reverberating clang. Some people broke down and cried, others wandered about the room, aimless. The ones who had already been there either slept or stared off into space.

Isaac approached the closest man sitting in one corner and crouched at his side. “Hey,” he whispered. The man didn’t acknowledge him. Reaching out, Isaac touched the prisoner’s shoulder, only for the man to recoil like a startled animal. “Sorry,” Isaac said, removing his hand to prove he meant no harm. “Do you know what’s happening? Why did the renders bring us here?”

The man stared at Isaac with wide eyes. “I—I don’t know,” he stammered with a shake of his head. “There were more of us but the ones they took …” He trailed off, pulling his knees up to his chest before his gaze went blank.

“What?” Isaac asked.

The man stacked his arms over his knees and hid his face in the crooks of his elbows. “They didn’t come back.”

Isaac looked away, his face paling. Standing, he turned to search for Beth, spotting her sitting next to the wall. He moved over to sit by her, the floor hard, dirty, and cold.

“It’s like … we’re being sacrificed,” Beth whispered as she huddled beside him, shivering.

Isaac nodded. “Guess it’s no secret the cultists worship renders like they’re gods.” He rubbed at the irritating paste on his forehead, peeling it away. The friction increased the burning sensation he felt there before it gradually faded.

Beth shook her head, as if the very thought of the cult partnering with the renders repulsed her. “Why do you think they brought us here?” she asked after a brief silence.

“I’m scared to guess,” Isaac began with quiet reluctance. “Food, probably. Either way, we’re not walking out of this place alive.”

“Oh, please

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