Ch. 2: Darkness Comes

Hordes of creatures huddled together, shocked still by the reality that unfolded before their eyes.

An unsettling eeriness caressed the hearts of all as it quietly meandered throughout the encampments.

“It… it can’t be!” one unlucky soul said. The wavering flames of her torch illuminated her blackened, sunk in sockets. Her long, oily hair draped across her once white garments, tarnished by the elements through the course of our misguided faith–stopping just beyond the periphery of her rapidly heaving bosom.

“They’ve… They’ve abandoned us?” Awoken from their stupor, cries of anguish berated the surrounding space.

I looked at my mother–her frail frame still hunched over. “We have to go,” I said, tugging her arm. She didn’t move. “Mother, we have to go!” I urged once more. This time, tugging harder.

Despite my efforts, her malnourished frame held resolutely, as if she’d grown roots–becoming one with the soil she’d prayed upon the past ninety-nine days.

“Father!” I yelled desperately, turning to my right. “Mother, she isn’t…” The will I had to continue speaking deteriorated. An emptiness I had never known before filled my chest. My father, the former Chieftain of our people, was still on his knees. Aside from the chatters of teeth that echoed within my ear, there were no signs of life.

“Father!” I yelled again, releasing my mother from my grasp. “Father!” I clutched his shoulder, shaking it. “The gods have abandoned us. Quickly, we must leave!”

“Son,” he said, slowly lifting his chin. “They’re gone.”

I stared into his eyes. They were not the eyes I’d grown accustomed to. No. The eyes that peered back into mine were those of a broken man. “Yes Father, they’re gone.” I nodded. “We have to run, though! The darkness, it’s coming!”

“I’m sorry! So, so, sorry!” Wetness that I had never known to be present behind my father’s eyes trickled down his cheeks. “It’s our fault,” he continued, “to birth you… to birth your sisters and your brother. It’s our fault. Knowing that the world is as it is…” He swiped at his cheek; turning soil to mud as it intertwined with tears. “You shouldn’t have to suffer like this. It’s our fault!”

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I shook my head. “That’s not true! You and mother, you’ve never been anything but kind. How could this be your fault? I do not dare blame you; nor would my sisters or brother.” I drew my gaze towards the horizon. The darkness approached, consuming all light that attempted to fend off its gluttonous appetite. Sweat laced my brows. My ribs rattled from the internal assault of my heart.

“Father, we have to go!” I urged once more. “It’s getting closer! We don’t have time! Hurry, help me grab mother!”

His crusted lips arched, forming the saddest smile I’d ever seen. “I’ve raised you well,” he said.

“You have,” I nodded.

His smile withered, replaced by one of sorrow. “Your mother and I… will not be leaving.”

The flesh of my palm broke under the pressure of my nails. “Father!” I tugged at his rags and pleaded.

He shook his head. “Your mother and I have resolved to stay. The gods are our last hope. Maybe, they’ll see–”

“Get the fuck out of the way!” A large, grey-furred creature demanded. Their hooves shook the ground as they charged forward.

“Ack!” my father yelled. A hoof implanted into his back, pressing him flat to the ground.

Rage swelled in my heart; my eyes trailed closely behind my father’s assailant. “Bastard,” I yelled. If the creature met my gaze–it would be murder. Him or I. Even if I were to lose, he’d still know my wrath.

“Father! Are you alright?” I asked, calming my emotions and turning my attention towards my father. I gripped his shoulder, helping him to stabilize himself as he pushed off the ground.

“Don’t worry about me,” he said. “I’m fine.”

“Fine? How could you be fine? You’re struggling to even stand! How’re we supposed to run now?”

“I’ve told you,” he said, pressing off his knee. Blood soaked through the windows of his tattered pants and onto his palms. He staggered to mother’s side. “Your mother and I are not leaving.” He slowly eased himself down and kneeled next to mother.

“Father, the gods have left us! Can’t you see?! Look around!”

“We need to have faith!” he yelled. His shaking body failed to match his resolute words. “That’s why your mother and I are staying.” He paused. Sadness and shame clouded his eyes. “It’s… best you leave, Son. If we’re wrong, your mother and I–you need to protect your siblings!”

I bit my lip to silence its quivering. The veins in my wrists bulged as my hands turned to fists. “Father… Mother… Please! I need you. We need you!”

He shook his head. “Boy, I’ve told you; we will not. Now leave! The darkness comes!”