One mile. (Completed)

Chapter two.

Movement in the southwest skies. A flash here. A flash there. Barely noticeable by human eyes, but Zadie knew and began to gather her things. By the time she made it to the first floor, the markings on her arm began to burn intensely. One last look upwards as she ran towards the church. One mile, her mind whispered. One mile. The mantra had been ingrained into her thought process and was the only thing that kept her going.

The pain was excruciating. Tears rolled down her face, making it nearly impossible to see. She tripped over a scorched body and landed hard. Pieces of broken glass stuck in her skin. No time to worry about that. Even though the special marks would keep her from being seen by the angels and demons, that didn’t exclude other humans. The ones that had sold their souls when the war had started. Most had agreed to be possessed in hopes of gaining an advantage. And those so-called “humans” would kill her on sight without a passing thought.

Pausing behind a burned-out minivan to catch a breath, Zadie took in the surrounding subdivision.  There were nothing but crumbling shells that had once been homes to thousands. With eyes squeezed shut, she plucked the glass from her hands. Then went flat to the pavement at the rumbling sound.  An armored truck had turned the corner and was making its way toward her. She didn’t have to look to know. Black plated armor. Ancient runes painted on the top and sides that kept the angels from striking the vehicle. Safely tucked inside would be at least a dozen possessed soldiers.

    The vehicle rolled to a stop less than ten feet away. For a split second, Zadie thought they had spotted her. Instead, when the door finally opened, one soldier exited and walked toward her hiding spot where he then relieved himself. Which seemed to go on forever. It was the unbearable stench that forced her to make a choice. Without hesitation, the words were spilling forth before the soldier could react. To him, she was nothing more than another demon. The language was older than humanity and he turned to respond.

By the time she was within striking distance, it was too late. With one last command, she stuck the blade through his padded armor and deep into his flesh until the soldier ceased to exist. She then rushed the vehicle, going head-first through the opening before the others could react. When the door slammed shut, the interior was lit up with an explosive flash.

****

Zadie wasn’t sure how much time had passed. The attack had drained every ounce of energy. Not that there had been much to give, but it had taken a lot out of her. Dazed, she climbed into the driver’s seat- clothes and face covered in blackened blood. The reflection in the mirror was disturbing. Outlines of what had been others were now permanently fixed onto the interior - at the exact spot where they died.