You Can Run

The Goliath

Faster, faster, faster.

Abru couldn't tell if that was her heart or her brain.

With each thump of her foot against the soft ground, her heart seemed to revolt in her ribcage, leaving her gasping for air.

Faster, faster, faster, her heart went.

As the screams and crackling of fire grew louder, her brain told her to ignore all her physical limits.

Faster, faster, faster, her brain taunted.

She knew it wasn't her place to fight, and what she was supposed to do instead.

But this was what was right, she told herself.

She soon reached the scene of the fight and her breath stopped for a moment.

Ya Allah.

Abru had heard of the revolts and riots taking place in the neighbouring princely states, and had seen the turmoil caused by the 1857 revolt in her own hometown through her window, and if that was scary, this was downright traumatic.

Abru watched as men ran amok, with some shouting orders as others crouched over still bodies. Ropes were flung, missing their target completely as the Goliath caused more chaos, turning invisible, then appearing elsewhere, leaving destruction in its path. Abru watched in horror as the Goliath kicked a man into a wall, every instinct in her body telling her to run back to the mosque.

No, she told herself. This is what Baba would do.

Abru observed the fight, recalling what Pierre had told her:

It can't be killed.

What rubbish, Abru thought to herself. All organic beings have an end. They just hadn't figured out what killed this monster yet.

But what if it isn't a monster?

What if

It's a machine?

Abru moved back as a log flew towards her, heart pounding against her ribs, ears ringing.

RUN, her heart screamed.

Oh, shut it! Her brain answered.

She climbed onto the fallen log to get a better view of the chaos. Her eyes scanned the Goliath, searching for any signs of weakness.

The Goliath let out an inhumane roar as someone stabbed its calf.

Aha,

The Goliath had turned but Abru had already figured out what she needed to do. Momentarily, something on the giant's neck had glowed: a faint red flicker, right before its calf started healing instantly. An idea formed in Abru's head:

What if I somehow found a way to stab that glowing wart on its neck?

Then you would die a painful death by crushing. The cautious part of her replied.

Abru looked around for a weapon she could use. A discarded bow and arrow lay a few metres away, to her left. Abru snuck quietly towards it, making sure not to draw the monster's attention. She crouched, grabbing the arrow, but just when she reached for the bow, someone crashed into her, knocking the wind out of her. A man, bloodied and pale, stared at her from the ground.

"You're not," he panted, "you're not supposed to be here."

Abru racked her brain for an appropriate response. "You must be delusional, there's no one here." She replied, scooping the bow, and running over to a nearby tree.