The Last Sunrise

The fire burned dimly. Only embers were providing a soft glow. It's going to go out soon...

   "Arcade, can we get some more wood?"

He stirred from his seat. Lifting his makeshift pencil from his leather journal, he glanced around.

   "I'd rather not. It's awfully dark. Theres no telling if there's any dead around."

   "The fires going to burn out."

   "So?"

   "You can't write without light."

   "... Good point."

He smiled and stood up.

   "Just stay here, Erin. I'll come back with a bit of wood."

His british accent was still as strong as ever.

   "Alright. Be careful."

As he descended into darkness I picked up his journal. The leather was rough and worn. The words inside faded and barely legible. The first few pages were covered in grime and blood. Arcade has been writing a story. One about our future. A future with no dead, no evil, just us. A distant groan rang through the night. The fire smoldered away and the encampment was swallowed by darkness. A twig broke a ways away from me.

   "Arcade?"

Another groan echoed through the air.

   "Arcade...?"

The feeling of someone else's presence hit me like a brick. A shuffling came from behind. I turned only to see pitch black. A sudden hand on my shoulder made me scream.

   "Boo!"

Arcade stood with an arms full of sticks.

   "Arcade! Don't do that!"

   "Sorry... Sorry. It's just to funny."

   "I might end up hurting you one day."

   "Oh please... Now. Wheres the bloody flint..."

He rummaged around inside a knapsack.

   "Ah ha! Here it is."

Skillfully, he laid out a portion of the sticks he'd brought and with one swipe of the flint set them aflame. He's done this many times. The camp was once again lit by the soft flickering glow. He held a twig over the fire until the tip was charred. Once it met his standards he went back to writing with his newly crafted pencil.

   "I'm off to bed..."

   "Alright Erin. See you in the morning."

I climbed into the one tent we owned. It was cramped and torn, but its better than sleeping completely exposed. The exhaustion that I hadn't even known plagued me took over and dragged me into sleep...