Blood Moon

Chapter 16 - Mob Justice.

Chapter 16

Mob Justice.

   Everything was quiet.

    No more explosions echoing through the gorge, no more hail striking the baked clay floor, no more cries of exhaustion or fear.

    A pregnant calm has fallen over the battlefield. But it was not to last.

 Slowly one by one the people come out to investigate, weapons gripped tightly in hand.

   The first to investigate were the guards brandishing quivering swords hiding behind their shields, ordered forth while their commander who is hiding safely away. Next came the miners, other males from within the town, carrying pick axes, hammers and the like ready to slay the beast. Council members emerge covered in dust and debris, trying to look dignified and in control, but failing miserably. Lastly came the woman with large knives, clutching children tightly to their side ready to run or fight if the danger was still there.

  They all looked upon what used to be the square. Stared at the two crumpled bodies yards apart and the two tattered girls huddled together, against a wall that had not been there earlier today. At the boy working frantically trying to save the lives of those caught in the crossfire.

  There silence is deafening, all were in too much shock to speak. Then once smooth protective valley walls were now littered with scorches and pockmark scars. Walkway and shelters were destroyed; large chunks of stone thrown about like a toddler would his toys.

    Melting hailstones make it dangerous to walk about, while the broken parts of the rock canopy makes it hard to stay safely out of the direct sunlight.

    There was fear, there was shock, but this shock soon turned to anger.

Leira’s POV

 "Get them!"

"Burn them!"

"Kill them!"

    Each new cry getting loader and more explicit.

  Hobbling over to Sofi I do my best to protect her from the angry mob; Ariel stands over Jared.

   Staring into the sea of rabid faces I see that they are all ready and hungry for blood. I don't know who threw the first stone, but it was soon followed by another and another.

   "Father!" I yelled as I ducked, knowing he was the only one who could control this situation. "Father you must stop this!"

  Off to the side my father watches on with unfeeling eyes as a tall blonde man whispered away furiously in his ear. He starts to turn away and let the Mob have their way.

  "Uncle, you must stop this, NOW! Ouch!" Ariel yelped when a stone struck her thigh. "They will kill us!"

  Uncaring he starts to lead the other members away.

  "When their blood has cooled you will never hold their respect again for allowing the death of innocents!" I scream.

    He stopped half turn and cocked his head.

   "If you let them have mob justice now when will it stop? Why would they listen to you ever again when you backed out of this now!" My words struck home, nothing scared my father more then losing face.

   "Stop!"

   No one listened at first, proving my point.

   "I said STOP!" The roar of his voice halts most.