The Day Heaven Crumbled

Just like that

As Bambo kept watch, the three of us rested inside the tent. It felt weird lying between Kayle and Bretta. Bretta for her part was already fast asleep. That left Kayle and me alone. Needless to say I couldn't fall asleep.

"You know-" Kayle started. "How much do you know about the village anyway?" It was rare for him to start a conversation with me. From yesterday all he did was just tease me and rebuke me.

"How much? What do you mean?"

"I mean- Ah!" He grumbled and scratched his head as he sat down. "About how our population stays the same and how sometimes people disappear." He didn't want to talk about it. But he still said it.

If I said I didn't know I'd be lying. My own mother disappeared seven years ago. We thought she was dead, and that was it. But deep down I knew something was wrong. I couldn't accept it. "This is between you and me but I think people get sick of the village and leave."

Kayle smiled. "If only it was that simple." This was the first time I saw him smile in general. There was no taunt, there was no sneer. He stood up and went to the entrance of the tent. "If only it was that simple." I heard him whisper.

Kayle left the tent shouting, "Fatty, you're up." But he wasn't nice, that much was for sure.

A moment later Bambo came inside and fell asleep almost immediately.

Honestly, I envied people who could sleep so soundly and so soon.

But. Yeah, my eyes kind of glued together too.

***

"Wake up-" A hushed voice. "Wake up!" I jerked awoke. Bretta was shaking me by the shoulder. "It's time."

I didn't even have time for a yawn as they dragged me out of the tent. The tent and our traces were gone in a flash. They really worked fast.

I shouldn't have fallen asleep. I was even more tired than ever.

I feel so groggy.

"Deal with it." Kayle brushed past me. He didn't seem tired at all. Actually none of them did. Maybe I was the odd one?

I couldn't complain and followed their example.

It was quiet and apart from the insects all I heard was the pyre in my hand. Occasionally wolves would howl. But we were far enough to cross them off of our enemy list. Most nocturnal monsters were afraid of fire, so we were safe, somewhat.

They guys themselves were quiet. "Are monsters in the night different?"

"Shh!" Bretta gave me a stern look. "Keep your voice low from now. Nocturnal monsters are worse." She whispered in a hushed tone. "Most will just run away from the fire. But if we ran into a vampire...." Bretta didn't finish and just stared at my eyes. I got the point and nodded.

Worse?

My face felt chilly, as though the blood from my skin drained. I'd heard about vampires before. Twelve years ago three vampires had devastated the village and killed hundreds. My grandfather was among the dead. So I knew how terrifying those critters were.

Eventually we made it to the shore. Grandfather. What a liar you were! But I didn't fault him for lying. If I didn't believe him for telling that the sea was a hundred times bigger than our pond than I wouldn't have believed him if he said it was infinite either. I couldn't even see the edge. And since it was a moonlit night I could see almost as good as the day, but still I couldn't get enough.

The water glistened; the far edges shrouded in mist-

It's amazing.

"What's on the other side?" I whispered.