Flashes of light. The very earth is trembling. Searing heat is felt through the bones, alternating with the biting chill of the night. The roar of different constructs are reverberating. Defeaning blasts and explosions are filling the ears of everyone. All of these, still drowned over the screams of people.

"Move!"

"Faster! Over here!"

"Mommy! Mommy! sob Where are you?"

"Screw this! Out of my way!"

It was just down the road. If they could just reach it, they can be safe. The winding road the people took was said to be safe the day prior. They were promised that the catastrophe would not reach here. Now it is anything but that. But the people don't have a choice. Whatever path they took, danger is there. The difference is that running away like this, they have a tiny sliver of possibility that they will make it to safety.

Whoosh

A streak of light flew past. It's warm tailwind following. It just hit the hillside just off to the side of the road they are on. No, they were on.

As the streak hit the hillside, a thunderous blast followed. Then another, and another, and another series of small explosions but enough to send most of the people flying for several seconds through the air. When the smoke and debris cleared, they got up, all bloodied and gashed. Those were the fortunate ones. The others, not so much.

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"Over the hill! We're going to die if we keep following this!"

There was no argument. All of them took to their feet and haphazardly started to move through the tall grasses. They are so close.

Whoosh

Another streak of light. Just barely missing them. They managed to duck out of the way. It only served to hasten their pace. It was just around the bend, and then they saw it.

A large hole into the earth, just at the foot of the next hill. They can see other groups of people entering the hole. It was now or never.

The people made a run for it. Each one carving a path through the tall grass. The adults in front, paving the way for the youth and elderly.

They made it. They didn't hesitate and followed the hole deeper, following the men and women barking orders.

Blinking red lights continuously glowing on the walls. It would've been a beautiful contrast with the currently ever-changing color of the evening sky. Vermillion, golden, viridian, sky blue, then turning blindingly white.

Boom

Another explosion. This time not too distant. Winds are howling and swirling. The sense of urgency being loudly reiterated. They don't have much time.

"Last call!" A man at the helm of the gate screamed.

Another wave of frantic people came rushing through.

"Let us in!"

"Gangway! We have wounded!"

"Help!"

"Have you seen my son?! Please! Help me!"

Some are speaking in different tongue but fear, panic, and distress is embedded is unmistakably present in their voices.

The urgency earlier felt is now replaced by mortal dread as the explosions and screams outside the walls are becoming closer and louder.

Some people aren't going to make it.

"I'm sorry!" Tears are welling down from the man's eyes.

"No! Wait for us! Let us in!"

With a dull thud, the gates began to move and close the only ingress and egress they have. It was their only hope.

What awaited them was despair.

An explosion blasted the gates from the walls and sent it flying inwards. Some were fortunate enough to perish. The others were not.

What followed was another explosion, and then the whole world went white.