The Caste - On Hold, major edits and title change.

Chapter Seven

It was 3 am on the fourth day by the time the family broke into the Silverdome. The cold rain continued to beat down from the sky. The rain had not let up since it had started when the family arrived at the old farmhouse, and the cold rain beat down on them like bullets from the heavens. The sound of broken cables that had pulled away as the roof collapsed smashed against the concrete tiered balconies as the wind whipped through the stadium. Gusts of chilly wind fluttered against their faces, chilling the Humans to the bone.

The shantytowns of the Silverdome were desolate; except for the decayed bodies strewn across the old playing field; remnants from the last time the Caste hunted Corvus. Corvus stood silent, head hung with guilt. He closed his eyes as the memory of that fateful day came flooding back to him. He felt a hand touch his shoulder, and he screamed in terror. The sound echoed up through the empty seats where in the days of old, 80,000 screaming fans would peer down on this once legendary field.

"Looks like people have been looting the bodies for a while. We may not find what we have come here for," Camlin said, moving his hand away from Corvus' shoulder.

"Yes, Camlin, and they have been eating them as well," Segna said as she continued to survey their surroundings.

"I guess when one is starving; one must do what they have to do to survive," Camlin replied. "We need to find shelter out of this rain."

A sound behind them made Camlin reach for his two-handed sword. As he pulled it from his back, Farkus walked up to the group.

"There are no signs of life here in the 'dome beside you three," Farkus reported, eying Camlin as he put his sword away. "The tunnels are dangerous, full of shattered glass and water. It is safe enough for the children."

"Are there dead things in it?" Ardelia asked, "I don't want to be where any more dead things are. I want to go home."

"No dead things, I promise." Farkus rested his arms across her shoulders and smiled at her.

Ardelia nodded at him and walked towards the tunnel that Corvus remembered led to a room with lockers. Corvus followed her, hoping to get her to speak to him. She had been quiet during their trip to Pontiac. She had pulled away from Corvus since the day he had woken up after casting his spell. Farkus, in Corvus' likeness, seemed to be her new companion of choice. Farkus was Corvus' replacement

"I am sorry that I upset you, Ardelia." Corvus put his hand on her shoulder, stopping her from walking off.

"I am not upset with you, I am afraid of you," she said, turning to face him.

"Why?" Corvus asked. "I am shocked to hear you of all people tell me I frighten you. You, the girl who got a job with the Caste, hacked their computers, and stole one of their Elite bots."

Ardelia shrugged, trying to turn away.

"How can you be afraid of me? I would never hurt you." Corvus tried to hug her. "I am the same person I was before you found out I was a mage."

"How do I know, Corvus? After a year, I still don't know who you are." She pulled away from him and walked off.

"That makes two of us. Everything my mother had told me was a lie. I am sorry I didn't tell you I was a mage. I had to hide it all of my life."

"I thought you trusted me," She said, turning to look at him.

"I trust you, but you have to understand. The fewer people who know I am a mage the more they stay alive. Out of all the people in the world, Ardelia, I want to protect you. You are the sister I never had, and never want to lose." Corvus took her hand, hoping she would understand what he was trying to say.