Lily studied her rescuer, who continued to row relentlessly. Though his white hair identified him as an elderly man, he had the stamina and strength of a young horse. She was impressed not only by his physical prowess, but by the fact that he didn’t seem to be short of breath despite having been rowing for several hours now. Lily thought back to the strange room underneath the city. The whole room had been arrayed with rows and rows of servers, which were ultimately attached to a single console in the center of the room. In front of the console was a large satellite dish pointing horizontally toward the far wall, where a large dark mirror hung ominously. She racked her brain trying to decipher the message that had flashed on the console’s monitor.
How could Timur possibly know about NSA technology, and why would he need the access code to the GFID tracking system?
It also disturbed her that the NSA hadn’t rescued her yet, considering her beacon had been active for some time now. It would soon run out of power, so she was grateful this stranger had rescued her.
A curious thing was happening in the sky. Although the sun had risen several hours ago, the clouds were emitting purple and pink hues as if dawn were breaking again. The beauty was breathtaking, and she couldn’t help but stare into the heavens.
Abner smiled, as if reading her mind. “Alas, ‘tis second dawn.”
“Excuse me?”
“The colors that doth beautify the heavens.” He nodded upward. “Yea, the second dawn ‘tis breaking.”
What’s that supposed to mean?
Her face contorted in confusion. “What time is it?”
He gave her a curious look. “Didst I not just say unto thee ‘tis second dawn?”
“Yes,” she corrected, “but I mean what hour of the morning is it?”
“Hour?” he queried. “What dost thou mean?”
She stared at him with bewilderment. “You know, is it eleven in the morning? Noon?”
“I know not the customs of thy world.”
“My world?”
“Dost thou not know of this world?”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Thou art not from hither.” he explained. “Look behind thee, and ye shall understand forthwith.”
She nodded, and her curiosity got the best of her. As she turned to look behind her, she squinted and shielded her eyes. It took a minute for her brain to register the sight before her. The sun was peeking over the horizon to the southeast. But … the sun had already risen in the east and was approaching midday! Her eyes darted between the two solar giants in disbelief. Her gaze returned to Abner, dumfounded.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
He flashed a knowing grin. “As I told thee, dear child, thou art not from this world.”
“Where… where am I?” she stammered.
“I welcome thee to the Land of Enoch in the world of Zion.” He dropped his oars with a deep exhale and flexed his arms outward.
She stared at him, incredulous. “You mean, the City of Enoch from the Bible?”
“Alas, from whence we doth come.” He pointed behind her. “The great and glorious City of Atlantis of which thou dost speak shrinks in the distance to the south.”
“Excuse me?” Her jaw dropped. “Atlantis?”
“Yea, child.” He again pointed to the large city, now only barely visible in the distance.
She squinted in the rising sunlight, witnessing the silhouette of the ruinous city. Above it swarmed several flying creatures.
“What are those large birds?” she asked, pointing.
“Ah, ye can see the dragons?”
“Dragons?!” she exclaimed. “This can’t be real. This must be a dream.”
A startling look fell across Abner’s face. He stood abruptly, rocking the small boat, shielding his eyes for a better view. Just as suddenly, he dropped back down and grabbed the oars. He turned the small boat with a few strokes, changing course and rowing toward the northeastern shore.
“What’s wrong?” Lily inquired.
“Those… dragons,” he huffed. “Alas, they be flying… in formation…”
“Like a flock of birds flying south?”
“No, dear child,” he gasped. “Dragons… do not… naturally fly… in that manner.”
“Then why are they flying like that?”
“Those dragons… are trained hunters.” Stress lined his already creased face. “And Sir Tamerlane… rides… at the helm.”
The instant they reached shore, Lily helped Abner drag the small boat into the woods where it wouldn’t be seen. Together they ran through the underbrush, grateful that the thick trees provided adequate cover.
“I hath family in a hidden village to the north,” he panted. “We shall find refuge there.”
They stumbled into a small clearing. Abner stopped cold, holding a finger to his lips. The grass seemed to have been flattened by an unknown force, and there were several fallen trees strewn about the clearing. She couldn’t understand Abner’s hesitation at first, but then she saw it. In the center of the clearing was a cluster of what she thought were boulders… until she saw the slight movement, the rise and fall of each breath.
A loud shriek pierced the air. Abner took off in a sprint across the clearing and quickly disappeared into the thick forest on the opposite side. She staggered into the clearing in an attempt to follow, adrenaline and fear coursing through her.
Lily looked up, and saw the hideous creature descending toward her. She screamed and tumbled to the ground. The giant beast landed on her backside, knocking the wind out of her. She tried to cry for help, but it only came out as a choked gasp. The beast latched onto her shoulders, completely immobilizing her.
Lily’s life flashed before her eyes. It would soon be over. She felt the beast’s talons pierce her chest, and she let out a bloodcurdling scream. Within moments, her legs were dangling in the air. She looked down, where the ground was getting further and further away with every beat of the creature’s wings. She felt herself hyperventilating, forcing herself to take slow breaths. She used her arms to pull up on the dragon’s feet in an attempt to counteract the excruciating pain.
In the distance she could see the enormous city, but its appearance had entirely changed. Absent were the toppled spires and filthy soot. In their place was a glorious white luminance. She momentarily forgot her pain as she beheld the beauty and luster of the city. It seemed to glow as if she were staring at heaven itself.
Forgive me, for I knew not who thou wast. I didst fear for the lives of my children.
She reeled in confusion as the foreign words entered her mind. She then realized they were descending rapidly back toward the clearing, and the pain overwhelmed her again as the dragon finally released its grip. She screamed in terror as she fell, flopping heavily onto the ground only a few feet below. Blood pooled around her from her wounds. She took a few last gasps, and then blacked out.
----------------------------------------
© Copyright 2022 R.M. Mulder. All rights reserved.