The Left Behinds

Chapter 6

Black ash covers the ground. Broken down and scorched infrastructures scatter across the land. A thick blanket of silence fills the deserted city. Where was I? I slowly made way deeper into the city of decay, stepping on dead leaves scattering across the ground.

"Ella!" I turn around and see her. Claire? She looks exactly the way she did the last time I saw her. My maroon colored cloak and her chestnut brown hair cascading down her shoulders. Is this real? She storms towards me and blocks my path. "You must leave. You can't be here!" She balls her hands into fists as she stands her ground.

"Claire, what is going on? Where am I?" I hasten towards her as she shifts her eyes from me, avoiding my pleading gaze.

She settles both of her hands upon my shoulders and sighs. She pauses as she settles her stern eyes into mine. "You just do not belong here anymore. Okay?" Anymore?

Then I see it. I can feel its growl rumble through the air. I breathe out a scream as I realize the size of this beast facing us, ready to pounce. Claire turns around and stands in front of me in a defensive stance. The beast's black fur starts to slowly rise. Its red eyes glowering into mine. My legs tremble and my heart pounds with utter shock of what appears before me. Its dripping lips pull back in a snarl. My heart drops. With horror, I realize its low growl is beginning to form words.

"Welcome home, Gabrielle."

I shoot up in terror. Sweat covers my body as I try to control my jagged breathing. My heart is still beating wildly from my dream. I take in my surroundings. The firewood burns before me as I see the other men drift in and out of sleep. I can see the sun starting to rise out in the distance. I wince in pain as heat starts to radiate on my back. I knead my shoulder to help ease the pain from radiating any further. Please, no. Not right now.

"You okay? You looked like you had one hell of a dream." I see Micah straighten up against a tree, rubbing his eyes sleepily.

I turn around and face the approaching dawn of the new day. "How many days has it been?" I question in a low voice.

"I believe three." Micah squints his dark eyes at the sun. Three days. Three days since I left Aldcrest. I can only imagine Raphael and High Priestess Abigail coming into my dorm and seeing my empty bed. Guilt rush through me. They will never understand why I did this. Eleven years they have spent their lives immersing me in the safe confinement of Aldcrest. And here I am, running away from it all.

I wipe the lone tear that started to creep up in my eyes. "I am going to get a drink from the river." I glance at Micah nod in agreement as he begins to ravage on leftover rabbit meat from the night before. I push myself on my feet, gritting my teeth against the radiating heat that lingers on my shoulder blades. I stroll towards Artemis, who is casually grazing on a field of grass. I smile at myself as I slowly approach her, petting her blonde mane. She softly neighs in content. As I guide her to the closest watering hole, my mind begins to drift.

Will we find this hellhound? A shiver crawls up my spine as I remember my dream. I ease Claire's book out of my cloak. What is Claire trying to tell me? I sit down on a hilly patch of green grass as Artemis trots over to the fresh spring water. I clench my cloak closer to me as I open the dark blue book. My hands smooth over the yellow, dusty pages as I start to read her next passage.

Guilt is such a human emotion. The longer we are on Earth protecting them, the more we adapt to their human ways. I know the time is near and we have failed. Lucai and the Infernal have him now. One of the seven. I am thankful that Raphael was able to get to the young one before the Infernal reached her. The Higher Ranks will always go to hell and back to protect one of their own. For now, Raphael will protect her. My time will come soon enough.

My hands tremble as I close the blue book. Confusion starts to cloud my mind as I attempt to piece together what I just read. Claire knew Raphael before coming to Aldcrest. I place my hands over my eyes and groan in frustration, tears filling up my eyes. Why does everything feel like a lie? I push myself out of the grass and stumble towards the spring, placing my hands in the cooling blue water. I look at the strange reflection staring back at me with red sorrowful eyes. Did I know who Claire really was?

My breath quickens as I feel sharp steel pressing against my neck. I slowly raise my hands in the air as I feel his hold tightening against me. Whoever this is has a build that can overpower me at any moment. I feel his labor breath against me.

"Enlighten me. Why is a young lady such as yourself wandering outside of the walls with a bunch of men?" I slightly shudder as I recognize Captain Leonardo's voice. He stretches his blade against my neck. He presses harder, nicking my neck. Blood slowly trickles down.

"Think carefully. I am not an idiot."

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Author's Note: Hello everyone! I know this chapter is quick. But I still hope you enjoy it. I have my creative juices flowing so I hope to release Chapter 7 in the next couple of days. Thank you everyone who is continuing to read this so far. I appreciate it and I love hearing feedback from my readers.