Sky Dust

Chapter 30

The belt seemed worn and heavy. Spencer assumed that he just hadn't gotten used to wearing it yet.

They went outside. It wasn't as crowded as it was in other villages; Spencer was sure he had forgotten what quiet meant. The peace was terrifying, as if something was wrong.

An explosion was heard. In a second, Spencer wasn't sure if it was continuing or just lingering in his ears. His eyes were closed tight, and he had no clue where he was. He opened them to see himself pressed to a building, sitting down on the snow. Vivia was nowhere to be seen. He stood up and ran off.

He was now sure that the explosions kept happening. The last shred of doubt dissolved when he spotted a soldier. He stopped in shock for a second and then kept running, not sure what he was doing. He wanted to find Vivia, but he couldn't yell for her. He didn't know if he was screaming.

He didn't know anything now. He fell on the snow, covering his head with his hands. Something pulled him back. Spencer turned around, flinching until his eyes were finally closed.

After that, the first thing he could sense was the sound of his own breath. He opened his eyes, panicking. He was in a carriage, he understood.

It wasn't moving. Just a camp.

He held on to his pouch, looking at it in concern. It was still there, and apparently still full. The soldiers weren't interested in blood dust.

"Hey!"

He looked around, his weakened feet nearly letting go of his body. He saw a familiar person sitting on the floor.

It was Rudy. Spencer was nearly floating up in ecstasy as he hurried to reach him.

"Rudy! Were you caught?"

He nodded.

"Didn't expect to see you here. You're human, after all."

"I didn't expect to be here, either," he looked around. Nobody was there, and he walked to the door. He tried to pull on it with all of the little might he had left.

"It's locked," Rudy said. Spencer sighed.

"What do we do now?"

"Wait to die."

Spencer rolled his eyes. He was used to the fact that there was always a solution. But now he had to admit it: there was nothing he could do.

He also slipped down. Rudy held his hand, and Spencer remembered Vivia. He hoped that she was safe.

What if she wasn't?

The door opened, and Spencer slipped up on his feet. He knew he was hopeless and too slow to slip out, but desperation took over him.

He held his hand to his belt, covering up the blood dust, when a soldier walked in.