"Fallen City Excerpt: Chapter ?"

Fallen City Excerpt: Chapter ?

Loud cries could be heard through the forest. Raised voices rang through the leaves of the trees, men shouted in fury. “Which way did she go?” “That way you worms!” Madeline ran as fast as her legs could carry her, she breathed heavily. The cold night air gripped her lungs, she was struggling for breath but she was determined not to get caught by the band of men on her tail. She glanced at the basket she was swinging. A baby lay in the basket screaming loudly. “Hush baby they will catch us; they will follow your screams directly to us”. For a moment Madeline felt incredibly stupid for thinking that a mere infant would be able to comprehend her solemn sentiments. The moon shone brightly in the night sky, it was the only thing that resonated any kind of solitude in the midst of the chaos. The baby continued to scream and the band were getting closer to Madeline. She let out a yelp as one of the bushes lashed the side of her face. Her ankles were being cut by thorns and stinging nettles. She didn’t know how long she could keep up the escape. A tear fell down the side of her face, the end was surely near. She could hear the grim reaper knocking on her door. She had failed the task Benjamin had assigned to her. The leader of the group Rob called out. “Spike! Send an arrow at the young lady, I’m growing tired of running!” An arrow whistled past her ear. She ducked another arrow and another. “Kill her! Kill her!” The further Madeline ran into the forest the more that darkness increased. The tall trees blocked out the moon light and star light. She became more fearful as the men were ravenous in their pursuit. She could sense their increasing anger and frustration. Another arrow whistled past her shoulder, another few inches and she would have been hit. She cried out as she fell over a log on the ground. She managed to clutch the basket as she fell onto the forest floor. The men stopped running and began to stalk her. “You tried Madeline, as always Benjamin always entrusts the highest responsibilities to you. But I’m afraid this time you’re out of luck. Nobody is here to save you, just me, you and a few good men”. Rob turned towards his men and they all laughed heartily. He stroked his beard as he leered at Madeline. “Such a shame, such a pretty lady doing all the dirty work.” The men laughed again, she got up slowly clutching the basket to her chest, suddenly she spat at Rob. “You know nothing of being good. We fight for peace in this world, you’re out to destroy, but you will not have it your way!” Madeline stood defiantly looking at Rob directly in his eyes. “Spike! Kill this woman, let’s teach her some manners”. Spike pulled back on his bow, poised to strike. Madeline closed her eyes anticipating the worst, she could hear the baby screaming louder and louder. Spike released the arrow, the men laughed as it flew towards her chest. Suddenly a loud bang was heard. A force field appeared between Madeline and the men. They stood there in shock as the arrow crashed against the large blue force field. “Do it again you idiot! Kill the bitch!” Spike sent another shot but the arrow snapped in half. He sent another which crashed against the force field. The men were startled by this. Madeline opened her eyes and felt her chest, to her surprise she was alive and unharmed. She stared in shock at the large blue force field in front of her. She stood frozen in shock, she could see the men yelling in frustration some of them began to fight each other. “Mr. Crow will kill us for this” cried out Spike. Madeline picked up the basket and looked into it, the baby continued screaming. She was in complete awe, she wondered if the baby was aware of the power he possessed. She began to run to the edge of the forest until she reached a hill. She could see the outline of a cart by the river. “Benjamin!” The cart jerked, the driver’s face was hidden by the darkness. Benjamin got off the horse and walked towards Madeline and the baby. He inspected her face closely, he scanned her face with his grey eyes, he turned quickly to the baby. “What happened? Where are the men?” asked Benjamin. I escaped, they nearly caught me, they are still in the forest. The rumours of the child are true, the boy has strength, he protected me.” Benjamin stared at the baby grimly, he looked to the cart and cracked a wry smile. “Come my love, let us go, we don’t know how long we have left, the forest is full of other evils. We cannot linger around here. “Benjamin, where is everybody else? Everything happened so fast? Did anybody escape”. Benjamin looked at her face and shook his head. “I don’t know Maddy, I don’t know”.