Chapter 8: 8. Exodus

The trio screamed as the building slid down towards them. Large chunks of the leaning structure broke off and rained down on them! Shit! We have to get out of here!

Callum dashed forward, quickly followed by the two women. Luckily, the building snagged on the one it was leaning on, preventing it from falling any further. After they dodged the last bits of debris, the trio let out a sigh of relief and laughed. Callum felt all the built up tension leaving his body as he grinned at the girls.

“That was close!” Amy said as she passed by him. “Let’s not wait around for it to decide to fall for real!”

The others could only agree with her as they stepped out of the shadow of that looming threat. This area is completely ruined! Callum realised as he glanced at the dilapidated buildings. It just gave the world an even more eerie feeling.

He could not help but wonder yet again why this world was so similar to his own. Apart from being deserted and in shambles, anyway. If we had electricity, then the mood in the camp would definitely improve. Maybe I should talk to Tom about making life a bit more comfortable while we’re here?

It was then that Callum noticed Rachael seemed disturbed by something. “What’s up?”

“Hm? Oh. Well, I’m just wondering what Tom will decide to do. You know?” She chewed on her lip as her dark brown eyes focused on him from beneath her cap. “I mean, we can’t stay at the library anymore. Gobs have been getting closer to it every day, and if they can communicate with that thing, then I don’t want to think about what will happen.”

Callum nodded as he thought about that. “Do you think the four of us can protect everyone?”

Rachael jumped at his question before frowning. “No. There’s no way we can. You saw it. There were hundreds of those gobs. If that creature joins the attack, it’ll turn into a free for all.”

“I thought you were confident Tom could stop it?”

“He probably can. But I’m guessing it will cost all of his will. Even if we stop it, there’ll still be hundreds of gobs. And the three of us won’t be enough to stop them.”

“What do you think we should do, then?”

“We’ll probably have to find a better building. One that can be defended more easily with a good escape route.”

She’s not thinking clearly. The question shouldn’t be how to protect everyone, but how the four of us can escape together! With the threat they had just faced, Callum’s thoughts on the matter became more clear. To keep everyone alive would waste their resources from hunting gobs.

If they tried to protect them, then he was sure one or two of them would die in the process. And I’d probably be one of them. Callum sighed at the thought. After all, he did not possess an ability that would allow him to escape like Amy or Rachael. Hell, if they’re even half right about Tom, then he should be capable of escaping as well.

Whatever happens, I have to try to steer them away from confronting the gob horde head on. I really don’t want to end up as their food. Time slipped past as the trio walked the foreboding empty streets. The atmosphere of that world weighed heavily on their minds as they passed by fast-food places and empty stores. As they rounded another corner, the library and its barricade came into view…

*****

“God damn it!” Tom roared as his glass smashed against the wall. “You’re sure?”

His gaze washed over the three of them slumped into separate chairs in his office. Each of them was exhausted, but Tom had insisted on hearing what had happened to them. It was needless to say that he was not pleased at all!

“We’re pretty sure.” Callum shrugged as he reached for the glass of water Tom had given to him. “If that horde and the thing from the church come here, we’re all screwed.”

Rachael shot an admonishing glance in his direction. “I hate to say it Tom, but Cal’s right. We have to abandon this place.”

Tom let out a long sigh as he leaned against the desk for support. “And where do we go? There are whole families out there! Old folks and newborns! Even if we leave, we can’t get very far.”

“And if we don’t leave, then everyone’s dead, anyway!” Amy rebuked as she grit her teeth. Her face turning redder by the moment.

A deafening silence dropped like a bomb amongst the four of them. Each of them knew that neither option was ideal. But at this point, it was looking like some people would fall behind if they moved. Tom just was not willing to accept that some was better than all of them.

“Whatever you decide, Tom, you need to do it soon. There’s no telling when they’ll come. If they do. For all we know, they could be here in a few minutes! Either way, the three of us need to get as much rest as we can before we do anything else.” Rachael said as she eased the tension in her voice. “Cal, you should check the ATM and then get some sleep. You too Amy. Tom, at the very least, send some people out to scout for the fog turning green in all directions.”

Tom let out another sigh as he nodded his head. “So be it. I’ll give the order right away. You three go rest. I’ll take care of things.”

Callum had a dubious expression on his face as he left the office. I feel like he’d rather wait until the threat arrives. That way, he won’t be responsible for leaving anyone behind and it’ll probably force our hand into helping to defend them.

The concerned expressions of all met his gaze as he made his way to the ATM. He could hear them asking Rachael questions as they made a path for them. After all, nobody had missed how they looked when they arrived. So, naturally, everyone already knew something was wrong.

They only spared him from their questions, since he was still new to their group. Nobody felt confident in asking anything from him. Callum could swear that their fear was tainting the taste of the air. I can’t blame them. They must be terrified. They know something is wrong, yet they don’t know what exactly. That fear of the unknown is just making it worse.

Callum sighed as he placed a palm on the ATM screen. On the bright side, Tom’s providing my rations for the next few days because of today’s events. I wonder how many fragments I got?

As the screen flickered to life, Callum’s expression revealed his disappointment. Ten fragments? That’s practically useless! All I could get is a ration pack or a basic weapon! I have my hammer and Tom’s feeding me for a few days! I should definitely save these!

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Callum grumbled as he kicked the machine before walking away towards his sleeping area. That was when it dawned on him! If we move, how will we get access to the ATM? Do we have to take it with us?

Callum felt a fresh headache coming on as he laid down on the mess of blankets and pillows. Can we even move it? How are we meant to survive without it? His concerns and fears plagued him for a while before he finally drifted asleep.

*****

“The Eclipse is finally over…” Aisha heaved a sigh as she looked out over the city of Er-Elion.

“Yes, your ladyship.” A grizzled old man in shining armour said as he took his place behind her. “We should make our preparations. The Eldritch Lords won’t focus on their realms for long.”

“Of course, you’re right, Edwin.” Aisha pursed her lips as she considered their options. “Those poor souls dragged into our mess won’t last for long. Is there any way we can mount a rescue operation?”

Edwin sighed as he tapped the helmet in his hand and fiddled with the pommel of his sword. “We could muster around a hundred soldiers, if that is your wish.”

Aisha pondered for a moment as the spring breeze carried the scent of the forest and mountains. “We should save as many as we can. Besides, during the last eclipse eighteen years ago, our realm failed to secure any Dreamwalkers. Without them, our predicament can only worsen.”

“It’s as you say, your ladyship. Which Fringe would you like us to search?”

Aisha cast her gaze towards the citizens with their voices full of laughter. “Which Fringe bordering our own has the weakest Eldritch Lord?”

“Hmm. If I had to say, Bal, Lord of the Hungry City. However, even if he is weak compared to the others, he’s still a natural disaster.”

“I understand your concerns, dear Edwin. However, the Eldritch will attack us either way. If that is so, should we not gain a small win while he is distracted?”

Edwin grunted in agreement as he allowed his own gaze to wander to the mountain peaks. “Then by your leave, your ladyship. I shall gather the soldiers and head out right away!”

“Go with my blessing, Edwin. And may your mission prove to be successful.”

She listened to Edwin’s armour clink as he disappeared into the distance. To those around her, she only showed a calm mask. However, her heart was in turmoil at the dire situation her realm found itself in. During the last three eclipses, we haven’t seen a single Dreamwalker. With each passing year, new Fringes keep appearing. If this carries on, we’ll be surrounded by those Eldritch Lords and their spawn!

I just hope Edwin can find one. Just one to help us…

*****

Callum yawned as he stretched, with Rachael leaning over him. What a weird dream. He could still smell the mountain air and the freshness of the breeze. “How long was I out?”

“Just a couple of hours.” Rachael sighed as she pointed to those gathered in the basement. She tossed a backpack on him before continuing. “Pack up. Tom’s finally decided we’ll move out.”

“That’s great! Has there been any sign of the Horde?”

“You’d know if there had been. I would’ve woken you sooner!” Rachael scoffed as she helped him to pack up the blankets and pillows. “Come on, there’s not time to waste.”

They joined the rear of the group as everyone funnelled out of the basement, into the main hall, and eventually, in front of the library. The normal people kept their voices hushed as some complained and others looked at the outside world in fear. Those who had acted as guards quietly guided the group onto the road, past the opened barricade to where Tom was waiting.

“Hey!” Callum said, as he nudged Rachael with his elbow. “What about the ATM?”

Rachael shook her head as sadness overtook her expression. “We can’t take it. Believe me, we tried. It’ll take quite a bit of searching to find somewhere else with one. We can’t really set up a base without access to an ATM.”

Callum nodded his head, but inside he wondered how long that would take. Rachael had never mentioned any others, so he guessed they had never found a second one. At that moment, Tom opened his mouth to speak, drawing everyone’s attention.

“First, let me apologise for putting you all through this. I know it isn’t easy for most of you. However, it is absolutely necessary. We believe this place is no longer safe, and hundreds of the horrors out there could come crashing down on us at any moment.”

The crowd grew agitated as they glanced around nervously. However, Tom was not finished speaking yet.

“Now, I need you all to remain as quiet as possible and follow our volunteers. We’ll take breaks as we try to find somewhere suitable to settle down. However, we plan to get quite some distance from here. Now, move out.”

There were only a few complaints that were rapidly silenced by those around the owners of those voices. Callum could only shake his head as he joined the crowd on their journey down those deserted streets. The hope of a new haven lured them into the fog…

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