Kilynn, part 3

The boy is home again sick today. He doesn't often get sick, but when he does it is bad. According to his teacher the plague is going around the classroom (okay, not the actually plague). Even she was out yesterday because of the germs that has been going around. And although he was home, I did get time to sit down and work on my story. I had planned on finishing the massive MegaBloks Halo set I started for him yesterday but chose not too when my whole body protested at it. My fingers are sore from snapping together the pieces and my back and legs are sore from sitting on the hardwood floor for hours. I will finish up the set tomorrow, sitting in a chair at a table. I have learned my lesson.

So, here you go. Part 3 of Kilynn's story. To recap, Kilynn fell asleep outside the town walls and awoke when she heard the warning bells, letting everyone know the mysterious Hunt was coming. She flew back to town and was hauled over the town walls by her brothers just minutes before The Hunt arrived. When we left her, she had just been dumped in a corner and the lights had gone out.

Kilynn, part 3

Kilynn sat in the corner of the darkened room, gasping for breath. A voice somewhere in the room whispered, “Quiet! They’re coming!” Kilynn tried desperately to calm her breathing. The guard was right – The Hunt was coming. She couldn't hear it, but she could feel a deep vibration in the ground. As each second passed the vibration grew stronger until suddenly it seemed to pop. All sound in the room vanished, as if Kilynn had gone deaf. This calm before the storm was the most disturbing part. She had known people to go mad in those few seconds of utter silence, had seen them run screaming from the room and into the arms of The Hunt. That was why the town always made sure people were securely locked into rooms when The Hunt came.

As suddenly as it had gone, Kilynn’s hearing returned with a frightful thunderous crashing sound that reminded her of the waves she had seen at her lone trip to the beach. She could hear it even down here, deep underground surrounded by thick stone walls. The Hunt had arrived and was swarming through the town. Under the roaring sound she could hear unearthly moans, screams, and a high-pitched cackling laugh.

Kilynn drew in a deep breath then let it out slowly, shuddering at the sounds above her. It was beginning to dawn on her just how close she had come to being taken by The Hunt. The shudder turned to shaking as shock set in. Kilynn drew back further into the corner she sat in, drawing in her knees and curling up in a small ball as she tried to stop shaking. As she wriggled trying to get comfortable, Kilynn bumped the person sitting next to her. Ryl let out a grunt and pushed her away. Closing her eyes and taking another deep breath, Kilynn listened to the breathing around her. Her brothers were sitting on either side of her, both seething with rage. Uh-oh thought Kilynn, I am in serious trouble. She knew her two older brothers would let her have it once The Hunt was done. Her shaking had been subsiding but the thought of her two brothers’ rage brought its return.

Suddenly she felt a hand touch her shoulder. Herry she thought. Yes, he was furious with her but he was always the first to offer comfort when needed. Ryl is so different from Herry she thought. Ryl would take at least a day or two to forgive her for this while Herry probably already had. She sighed quietly as she felt Herry's hand rub her shoulder and slowly her shaking stopped. Exhausted by her ordeal, Kilynn rested her head on her drawn-up knees, closed her eyes, and promptly fell asleep.

She had no clue how long she had been asleep when the gentle hand on her shoulder turned rougher, shaking her awake. “Kilynn, wake up,” Herry said in her ear. She opened her eyes to see that a torch had been lit in the room. The Hunt had passed and people were slowly making their way through the door and back up the twisting staircase. Kilynn rubbed her eyes then took Herry’s outstretched hand. He gently pulled her to her feet then wrapped her in a tight hug. Tears leaked from the corner of her eyes as she hugged her brother. It wasn't until she felt a wetness on her head that she realized that Herry was crying too.

After a few minutes she took a step back, breaking the hug. She stood in front of Herry, eyes fixed on the floor. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I’m so sorry for this. I must have fallen asleep out there. Thank you, Herry.” Herry just shook his head and pulled her back into the hug.

“It happens, little sister. I’m just glad Ryl and I were able to find you in time. We cut it too close. I owe the guards a few rounds of ale for keeping the doors open for us.” At the mention of Ryl’s name, Kilynn looked around for her other brother.

“Where is Ryl?” she asked. “Oh, and I’ll pay for the ales,” she added. She knew her brother would refuse the money, but she would try.

“Ryl left as soon as the door was opened. You know how he is. He needs time to cool down before he sees you again,” Herry answered as he guided her towards the door. He stopped to light a torch from the pile by the door then slowly led the way upstairs. The pair walked silently, saving their breath the long climb up to the guard tower. Kilynn was amazed at how long a climb it was. In her mad dash down she hadn’t realized just how long the staircase was. She was also amazed that she hadn’t fallen and broken her leg or neck in the descent.

The siblings passed through the trapdoor at the top of the stairs. Herry stopped to hand coins to each of the guards on duty; that was easier than meeting them all at the tavern later. Kilynn stepped out onto the town wall, taking a deep breath of fresh air. She glanced up, marveling at the stars glimmering brightly against the moonless night sky.