The Fall of Eden

Chapter 8

            Aiden searched for any movement. He and the others had exhausted themselves running down a creek that snaked through the Lumen woods. The water had eroded a path into the ground, offering some cover. They stopped to rest at a bend in the creek, where the path was deepest. Aiden wasn't sure if they had outrun their pursuers. His eyes darted around, spooked by every whisper, scratch, and groan the woods made. For better or worse, he saw nothing but the overgrowth of grass, shrubs, and towering trees.

            The woods were thick and dark. Animals of the night could be heard chirping, creeping, sneaking, and snickering. The trees stretched high, glaring down at Aiden and his friends like trespassers on a foreign world. Selfishly, the canopy only permitted a scarce supply of starlight to enter. Yet, the deep black of the woods was somehow more alluring than frightening. It felt as if the woods were holding their breath, hiding something deep within them.

            Aiden bent over as a cold exhaustion ached in his lungs. His panting breaths scratched at his throat. He had forgotten how thirsty he was. He knelt down beside the creek, cupped his hands, and sipped the water. The chill of the water trickled down his throat. Every drop felt like a rescue, tickling his tongue and easing his tension. Femi and Damien were already doing the same.

            "How are you feeling?" Aiden asked Damien, who looked pale and weak.

            "I'm alright," he said, wiping his mouth after burying his face in the water, "Still hurts... but I'm alright."

            Femi walked over to Aiden and sat down beside him. "So... what do we do now?" she asked as she grabbed his hand. Aiden could feel her baby-soft skin, each finger laced between his own, trembling. He gripped her hand tight, hoping to settle Femi's nerves. Then, she rested her head on his shoulder.

            Aiden wished he hadn't heard Femi's question. The truth was they were lost with no heading. He didn't want to think about where they should go, because going somewhere meant Eden really was gone. All Aiden wanted was for Femi not move her head.

            "Well," Aiden's words fell from his lips without much thought. He had to say something, "We fight... and survive. And then we keep fighting... until we find a new beginning... or our end. Eden will have vengeance." Aiden was chilled by his own words.

            "No," Femi's voice tickled Aiden's neck, "Eden was never about war. Vengeance will serve it no justice." She lifted her head and pressed her cheek against his. "Eden must live on through us." She pulled her head back and revealed a tender smile.

            Damien then released a thunderous belch. The sudden break of silence confused all three of them. Damien sank low to hide his embarrassment, "Sorry, I think my stomach still wants vengeance." The three broke into a much needed laughter. Their tired voices echoed into the woods. Soon, their excitement calmed until the sounds of Lumen were audible again. Leaves could be heard tossing in the wind, and the trees moaned and whispered to each other once more.

            Aiden turned his gaze down. The moonlight reflected off of the water, glittering with white light, but something else stood beneath it. Aiden could make out his own reflection, but a tower of black slowly rose above his head. Aiden's heartbeat came to a halt as he pieced the image together. It was a sword.

Then a drop a blood landed on his nose.

"Behind you!" Damien shouted.

            Aiden grabbed Femi and leapt forward into the creek, splashing into the water. They rolled onto their backs to see what was behind them. A man with back and jagged armor stood on the edge of the creek, holding a sword above his head. Aiden unsheathed the blades from his back, but the man made no movements. He only stared blankly out into the woods, petrified. Then, he tilted forward and toppled down into the creek.