Simon had never felt so scared, suddenly there was a blinding flash and the sky lit up with such a bright light, like he'd never seen before.
As he knelt shaking and wondering what to do, he heard a noise in the
sky, looking up a ball of fire came speeding across the sky, it flashed
overhead, he could hear screams coming from the heath.
Then it happened again, the almighty explosion, but this time a hundred times louder. The earth shook and trembled so violently, Simon thought he would be eaten up, by the very ground he stood on.
Trembling he tried to get to his feet, but found it impossible, the noise
was almost deafening. Trees were catching fire and some were falling
around him. Off in the distance he could see small fires burning.
Putting his face in his hands, he thought it was the end of the world, he
began to cry out. It all happened so fast, he felt his short life flash before his eyes, but no words would leave his lips.
Ash fell from the sky, the birds had gone, but where? Simon didn't know. He brushed the red hot cinders from his body, then started to crawl, the earth still shaking, his body still trembling.
There was nowhere to run, if he were to die now, he would be all alone. “This isn't how it should be, I don't want to die, not here...not
now.”
His small body suffering burns, he got to his feet determined to be strong. Finally the earth stopped shaking. Apart from the fires burning,
it went very quiet.
Getting to his feet, he wiped away the tears, his skin red where the hot
cinders had touched him.
The screams all but stopped, then coming towards him, was the figure of a man, as he got closer, he realised it was his father, all bloody and
anxious for his son.
“Father...father! Your alive. What's happened?”
Brad tried to run to his son, but couldn't. “Oh son! Your alive.” Brad was so relieved.
Reaching Simon, he said, “It's as if the watchers are angry with us. The ball of fire landed where we were camped, the whole family has
been wiped out. I only managed to escape because I was down by the river.”
Brad was terrified, his body wounded and blistered.
“So you're saying everyone's dead? This cannot be,” replied Simon.
“I'm afraid they're all gone son, most killed in their sleep.” Brad took his son in his arms, saying...”Why would these watchers send fire to our world? I thought they were supposed to be peace loving people.”
“What about Grandmother?” said Simon tearfully.
“Sorry son, I'm afraid she was taken too.”
Then Brad said, “this is even more reason to leave. We will travel south and search for Missy and Gerard, it's been so long since I've seen
them.”
Missy was Martha's daughter, Brads sister, Gerard was her husband,
they had two daughters, Teela and Daisy and a son Alfie. Brad had not seen them for many Summers and Winters, he wondered where they might be and if they would ever find them. All he knew was, that they
had settled somewhere south.
There was a calm as they sat quietly, not speaking but just contemplating their next move. When they finally stopped shaking and
pulled themselves together, they made their way back to the camp, supporting each other.
It was a tragic sight, one that Simon hoped he would never experience again. A large crater had formed in the earth, which was still burning. His family had been completely wiped out. Now he and his father were on their own.
Comments
Esther | April 16, 2012 - 16:55
The end of our world as we know it. There are many questions in my head...will certainly read on.
skinner_jennifer | April 16, 2012 - 17:11
Hi there Esther,
that's strange, I've just come from reading your
story, to find you were reading mine.
I hope that you enjoy the story so far.
There are many twists and turns.
Thankyou for reading and letting me know.
Jenny.
Edenfalls | April 17, 2012 - 14:21
Wow, absolutely absorbing stuff Jenny. Part 3 soon?
jolono | April 17, 2012 - 14:28
Sorry Jenny, I read this earlier but forgot to comment! As I said yesterday, I am hooked on this. Can't wait to see where the journey takes you!
skinner_jennifer | April 17, 2012 - 15:10
Thanks Edenfalls, really glad you're enjoying.
and thankyou for letting me know.
Jenny.
skinner_jennifer | April 17, 2012 - 15:14
Hi there jolono,
really glad to know you're with this story.
Thankyou.
Jenny.
Silver Spun Sand | April 17, 2012 - 19:27
So much happened in this chapter, Jenny, and such a shame about Simon's grandmother too.
Really enjoyed this, and I see you have already posted Chapter Three, which will have to wait until tomorrow, unfortunately. My meat-pie is smelling very well done to say the least, and I must go and rescue before it too is a burnt offering.
Tina;-)
skinner_jennifer | April 17, 2012 - 22:28
Hi Tina,
sorry about Martha, I know you had a soft spot for
her, I did too.
I hope your pie was okay. That's strange actually
because I had meat pie the other night and I don't
normally eat pies.
Thankyou for reading and again sorry about Martha.
Jenny.
Denzella | April 23, 2012 - 05:38
Hello Jenny,
I've well and truly joined your band of readers. Really enjoyed this part.
Moya
skinner_jennifer | April 23, 2012 - 10:54
Good morning Moya,
really glad you could jump aboard, hope you will
enjoy the story as it takes shape.
Thankyou for reading and letting me know, always
appreciated.
Jenny.
Sooz006 | May 4, 2012 - 13:02
Hi Jenny, Another good and equally visual chapter. Teela is a pretty name. One thing that flitted through my mind is that when his entire family was wiped out, and possibly some good friends too. I feel that you glossed over it too quickly. Obviously just get the story down for now, but in edit you might feel like adding a bit more to that. Enjoyed this again and looking forward to the next installment.
skinner_jennifer | May 4, 2012 - 15:59
Hi Sooz,
firstly can I say thankyou for reading this part of
the story, much appreciated.
I've read the bit you are on about again, I know
what you mean. Once I've finished the story, will
have to look back on what I've written, though I'm
a bit nervous of over doing the scene, with too much
gory detail, but thankyou for your help.
Glad you're still enjoying the story.
Jenny.
Wes | March 5, 2013 - 18:58
In a way I'm glad I'm playing catch up. That way I don't have to wait for new installments...Wes
skinner_jennifer | March 5, 2013 - 20:26
Hi again Wes,
I know exactly what you mean.
Just really hope you continue
to enjoy.
I do appreciate you leaving a comment too,
makes it all worth while.
Thankyou.
Jenny.
Wes | March 5, 2013 - 23:49
Between you Trev, and a few others, I'm afraid I won't have any time to write my own stuff.
Well not entirely true I did post that goofey little piece earlier. But that unlike some my other stuff really didn't require much thought. Just a little diversion.
I could spend all my free time catching up on others works. (See opening line )But I will divide my time between reading and writing and hopefully find a happy medium. After all I have a crazy Dr and a cynical Agent as well as a young girl, and her friends about to enter a magical realm waiting in the wings. lol Said it before and I'll say it again. I do go on sometimes...Wes
skinner_jennifer | March 6, 2013 - 00:08
Hi there again Wes,
I quite understand where you're coming from,
it's the one thing I find extremely hard to do,
combine my time between reading and writing.
I will definitely read your work. I did think it
was a shame that your story I was reading, didn't
continue, I was so enjoying it. But if you felt
uneasy about it, I completely understand.
So I look forward to reading other of your stories.
Take care.
Jenny.
Wes | March 6, 2013 - 10:19
Morning Jenny,I plan to continue Hawthorn and Twilight although that last(Twilight)title will change. I wasn't thinking of the Vampire franchise when I named it.
I keep diverting myself with other writings such as Grimm. But I will continue. As for you keep on writing...Wes