Everything Is Eternal (Book Two)

XXVIII

"What do we do with her?" Madeline asked as Will shrugged on the soaked and bloody robes. "You realize we can't leave her behind, right? So what do you want to do?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Will looked at the half-dressed, trembling acolyte. "We take her with us."

Madeline tried to argue that it wasn't a good idea while Will picked up an orb and began smashing the orb against the wall until the container cracked. As soon as he felt the warmth of Light brushing against his hand, he lobbed it at the door, unlocking it with a burst of light. The acolyte let out a whimper which was muffled as soon as Madeline shoved her.

"We can't take her... we'll be noticed!" Madeline said.

Will shook his hand, trying to rid it of any lingering burning sensation. "I know! So what's going to happen is you're going to go ahead," he instructed. "They are already going to be coming when they detect the Light. You're are going to hurry as you can and get out of this hellhole."

"What about you?"

Will looked at Madeline's bundle of light. "I'm going to use Light to release shadows," he said grimly.

Madeline didn't argue. There wasn't time. They made their way through the next corridor and Will bashed another orb until he opened the door that would lead to the exit. When the door swung open, Will leaned over to Madeline and whispered some important information to her.

"I'll try," she said tensely. "But you ought to come with me. Some of these people... they are dangerous. And the Light has made them half-mad. They'll never make it... and neither will you."

"I'll try my best," he said. "Believe me, I don't want to stay here."

Madeline took his hand, but it wasn't a gesture of comfort. She pushed the hand holding the jagged shard up to his chest. "Don't let them take you alive. The darkness is better than burning in the light."

And with that last piece of advice, Madeline took off. She wasn't going to wait around to try to reason with Will. She had waited for this escape for years.

Will looked at his remaining orbs. There were only five. Not enough for every prisoner. He had no idea who he would be saving, but he had to take the risk.

"P-Please!" the acolyte pleaded as Will started cracking another orb. "T-The other one w-was right. Y-You c-can't let the co-corrupted free!"

"I'm not doing it. The Eternal Light is," Will said flatly.

Then he smashed the orb, opening another prison door, revealing a man in who might be in his thirties. He looked confused by the sudden intrusion.

"Get out!" Will ordered. "Unless you want to stay in here forever!"

The man didn't hesitate, scrambling out of the cell. He showed no reaction to Will's soiled acolyte disguise, or the barely dressed woman beside him. Will immediately pushed the acolyte into the cell and slammed the door behind them.

"Why'd you do that?" the prisoner asked. "We could have used her as a hostage!"

"Wouldn't do any good," Will said, getting to work on picking the locks. "They have salvation in the Light."

He had barely gotten the locks off the man when the man grabbed an orb and took off.

"Wait!" Will shouted at the quickly retreating illuminated figure. "The others!"

There was no response. The man was so frantic to get out of there. Just like Madeline.

Without any of her pragmatism. He would be quickly spotted with the orb and there was nothing Will could do.