Ruined

Chapter 7

so sorry that I havent updated in awhile, I just cant find the time to with school and sports. Anyway, enjoy the chapter. please comment/ vote/ fan!

Ruined

Chapter 7

A narrow passage lay gracefully in front of her. All was dark, except for the small specks of sunlight that fought threw at the end of it. Clara’s horse carefully stepped across the threshold and onto the aisle. Slowly they neared the exit. Just as they reached it Clara pulled back on the reins, causing her horse to suddenly stop.

Before them, was a beautiful arch. Ghostly white, with pale pink roses descending gracefully down the perimeter. Light shined through the arch, and into the darkness. The light burned Clara’s eyes as she dismounted her horse. Pacing herself, she led the horse threw the arch.

On the other side was a large meadow. Tall green grass lingered around her knees, and thousands of flowers were strewn throughout the meadow. Various shades oh white, pink and yellow dappled the flowers. The outer edge of the prairie was flanked by tall, luxurious poplars. Their leaves broad, and their trunks- a papery white. In the center of the meadow stood an old oak. Its bark was a golden honey colour, and its leaves a deep chartreuse.

Off to the left side trickled a small fresh water stream; a few meagre fish swam beneath the surface, their tiny turquoise scales glinting feebly in the rising sun. Together they struggled against the weak current, fighting to swim onward. The small school began to break off into smaller groups and as they grew more and more tired; it became a race against time.

Alethia stepped forward and placed her hand lightly on Clara’s shoulder. After a moment or too she wadded through the tall sod, and sat at the base of the tall oak. She tilted back her head, and rested it on the base of the tree. She sat there for a while, staring into the depths of the sky. Her long blonde hair cascading roughly down her shoulders. Gradually she closed her eyes, and phased into a troubled sleep.

Ali lay sprawled out in the middle of the clearing. All of the flowers gone, and all of the happiness rapidly drained from my body. The meadow was now dark, and shadowed. All was charred and blackened with soot. The light crackle and amber light of a flame rose from the ground every few paces. Smoke clung heavily in the air, surrounding everything like a thick cloak. She struggled to her feet, coughing heavily as smoke filled her lungs. At the edge of the burning ring her eyes grew wide as she noticed the large arch was still standing, and appeared to have no damage. Shielding her eyes she looked around. To her astonishment she saw a body. She stumbled over to it. It laid face down in the rubble. Cautiously she grabbed its arm, and rolled it over. It was as cold as ice. Its face was masked with layer upon layer of soot and ash. Warily she brushed away some of the muck.

Its eyes were huge with terror, and its skin was bloodless. Ali’s breath caught in her throat as she recognized its face. This was Clara. A soundless scream echoed through the air.

In the distance, faintly she heard someone calling her name. “ALI! ALI!” it called. She felt someone grab her by the wrists and begin to shake her.

Ali wrenched her eyes open, and discovered the source of the shaking. Clara was crouching in front of her. She looked as if she were about to be sick. Tears welled up in her electric eyes. Ali looked around. The meadow was still bright and cheerful. The flowers were still colourful, but the arch was charred and damaged. “What is happening to me?” she demanded.

Out of breath, her shoulders slumped, and her head rolled back against the tree, as she drifted off back to sleep.

Clara was sitting on her heels; she had her head in her hands as the tears began to leak over. Ali had been screaming her name, and sobbing hysterically in her sleep, but finally it was too much for Clara. She was so worried, it finally sent her over the edge, and now she too was crying uncontrollably. Miserably she stood up and shuffled over to the over side of the tree. Clara leaned against it and slid down the trunk to its base. She wiped the tears from her eyes, and put her head between her knees.