Connection

Chapter Seventeen: Cliff

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Chapter Seventeen: Cliff

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Cliff and his mother broke apart once. They locked eyes then looked toward the door. In an instant both of them were running toward the scene. Cliff's heart was beating rapidly, as his legs sped him toward the sound.

As they dashed toward the horrible sound of fear, Cliff's mind strayed. Could this have anything to do with the strange things happening? Did someone commit a crime? It seemed unlikely-the only true crime that was ever committed in Mallowkeep was the murder Grez was accused for, even though they never found the true killer.

But what could be happening that would cause such terrorized screams? What could be going on that wizards and element wielders couldn't stop?

They emerged in the Center and saw many shop owners peering fearfully out of their doors, though none of them were rushing toward the sound. As they went further, it became apparent that whatever was happening was on the school grounds. Many citizens were running through the school gates while just as many were pushing their way out, all looking disheveled with their hair messy and flying as they got away from whatever horror laid inside those gates.

Cliff's mother looked at him once again. Fear was still eating away at her eyes, but she also looked worried.

"Please at least think about going in there," she begged. Cliff felt himself look downward. He didn't want his mother to fear for him if he went to check it out, but how could he let it happen without at least seeing what was going on? What if it had to do with his dreams?

"I'm sorry, but I'm going. I'll be careful though," he added, hoping that it would suffice.

"Cliff, please just-"

He shook his head, showing her he wouldn't stay back. How could he?

"Stay here," she ordered more forcefully this time.

"No," he said curtly.

"If you go in there, though, it's just to see what is happening. Then right out."

A woman who had joined the exodus from the school rammed into Cliff in her hurry to get away. He groaned as he picked himself up the ground and followed as his mother made her way toward the gate quickly.

The moment they entered Raven Eye Academy's grounds, chaos reigned.

Students, teachers, mothers and fathers ran amongst the ground wildly. The largest concentration was at the gate as various people attempted to get in or out of the grounds.

To the left, the vast expanse of grass and trees was ablaze with a raging fire. It was spreading quickly and devoured the limp, bare trees hungrily. Plumes of flame were shooting off the main fire. One nearly hit a group of students who dove desperately out of the way.

Nearer to the building the fire seemed intensified. The orange was brighter and more brilliant than the outskirts and the flame rose taller and stronger than anywhere else.

A group of citizens stood around there, all seemingly fighting whatever force was causing this. The force of the fire knocked two over, though they popped back up immediately.

Cliffs stood paralyzed by the sight for a moment before his body absentmindedly moved toward the group of people with shaky legs and short, labored breaths. His mother had already gone sprinting toward the group of fighters.

As he approached the scene, he began to realize the horror of the situation. Three bodies laid on the ground, still as stone. Their skin was charred and at places burned off. A horrid stench rose in the air. Those still standing were flicking their eyes back and forth between the bodies and the powerful fire. The immense amount of smoke made it hard to breathe and cast an eerie haze over the community.