Flight from Within

Chapter 32 - Tragedy

Nothing could prepare me for what awaited me that day. It was worse than the fire. Worse then my first experience of this war.

All hell broke loose.

I couldn't register what was happening until several moments after I'd opened my eyes. I was one of the luckier survivors.

All I could hear so many things at once, but I could only process a few things at a time.

First, was thing ringing. A constant ringing in my ears until I didn't feel like I was underwater. Then there was the crying. and the screaming. I heard names, but I couldn't make anything out. It was then that I opened my eyes. I was laying a piled of rubble. More specifically, a pile of beds, which explained why I only felt a dull ache. The sky was blood red and smoke was billowing up from everywhere. and last for me to register were two voices, screaming above the rest.

"Sky! Sarah! Theus!"

I reacted slowly, as though I was in molasses. It took me a minute to notice the heavy branch on top of me, keeping me from moving.

"Danny! Tanix!" I tried to yell, but my voice was hoarse. One voice quieted, and footsteps came towards me.

"Oh, thank god you're okay." Daniel cursed again and again as he came into view. Tears streamed down his cheeks and he threw the wood off me and pulled me into a bone-crushing hug. He kissed me everywhere he could possibly crane his neck, trying to grasp that I was really there, I was really okay.

"Daniel, where is Theus? Is he okay? Where is Sarah? Is Tanix hurt at all?" My voice was barely a whisper.

"Tanix is fine, we've heard some yells from Theus and we know he's okay we just need to find him. But... Nothing from Sarah." I cupped his face.

"Hey, we'll find her, okay? Everything's going to be okay." But that was a lie. "I'll circle the area. See if I can spot her." But, as I spread my wings, Daniel freaked. He screamed and pulled my wrists in an iron tight grip to his chest. His voice cracked and countless more tears streamed down his face as he pulled me back down.

"No! That's what they want you to do! They've been shooting us down, one by one, as we take off. They're still hear. The humans are still hear." It was only when I reassured him that I'd stay by his side did he calm down. I threaded my hands through his hair as we set off to find the others.

But Theus beat us to it. My baby brother came toward us, waving and telling us he was fine. I embraced him and kissed his head.

"I am so glad we left Amber at the field's daycare today." I muttered. We fanned out to find Sarah, but Tanix beat us to it.

His cries and scream pierced the air. Daniel looked at me, afraid, as my gut twisted.

"Sarah..." he breathed, before taking off where Tanix was.

Tanix knelt on the ground clutching her body close to his chest. Blood poured out from a massive slice on her stomach. It looked like it had been cause by some heavy metal object that had been thrown to the side. Daniel stood several feet away. He looked angry, hurt, like he wanted this all to just be a bad dream. Theus behind them, clutching Tanixs' shirt, begging Sarah to wake up.

Suddenly, time froze.

Sarah coughed and sputtered, a bit of blood splattering her face. Tanix cursed and kissed her forehead over and over again.

"Tanix... I'm so sorry..." Sarah whispered.

"No. No. Sarah, you are going to live a long and happy life. With me. You're going to be okay." He barely croaked out.

"Tanix, I love you." He pressed his forehead to hers.

"I love you, too." Sarah's body relaxed, and her eyes went blank and expressionless. Tanix shuddered and screamed to the sky, telling her to come back.

Come back to him.