An Adventure in Guernsey

Exodus

Aah-oooooh!  Aah-aah, aah-oooooh!

"What is that?"  The sound is so close.  Just outside the stone wall.  The scratching and the scraping doesn't stop either.  Marshall doesn't answer.  He just stands and stares.  Is he even listening?  She reaches out to touch his arm and he swings around and moves her behind him.

"You need to stand back."

"Stand back?  Whatever for?  Who is out there?  Do you know who is getting us out of here?"

"Yes."

"Excellent.  You are a man of your word it seems and your people are loyal to you.  They have come for us."  She bends forward to look around him.  He turns to face her.

The shadows on Marshall's face blackens his already dark features.  What is wrong with him.  They are getting out of this tomb and it is almost...is he afraid?  "Yes, well I know it must be my men, but I must warn you."

"Warn me?  About what?"

Aah-oooooh!  Aah-aah, aah-oooooh!  Scratch, scratch, scratch. Tsak, tsak.

"That!"  Marshall's tone definitely changes.  He runs his fingers through his hair.

"Yes, what is that?"

"You really have no idea?"

Dirt and rocks fall in and roll toward her feet.  Freedom is imminent.  Beads of sweat line Marshall's forehead.  "My lord, whatever is the matter?"

"Listen.  It is very important that whenever the way is clear you stay very close to me.  Do you understand?"

"If you think to try and make this out to be more than what it is now that we may try and get out of here with no scandal."

"What?  No!  You must listen to me.  You heard what is out there.  I am only trying to keep you safe."

"If you will only tell me what it is."

A large mound of dust and dirt puffs into the air and an oblong opening appears.  Fresh air begins to cool the space before scrubbing sounds and muffled words follow.

"Behind me!  Now, Delia!"  Marshall doesn't wait for her to react.  He shoves her behind him once more before she can protest.  The light from the lantern still allows some vision, but not much.  Almond shaped, yellow eyes enter from the outside and float toward them in the darkness.  Lips smack.  It whines and sniffs on approach.

Delia's heart pounds in her chest.  The muscles of Marshall's back tense.  She leans against him for support.  Can he feel the fear grip her?

The whine stops and the animal stands directly in front of them.  Delia is afraid to look. She presses her face to Marshall's shoulder.  Marshall breaks the silence.